Three tax plans

This session, Alabama legislators will choose from among at least three different tax reform plans. One was proposed by Gov. Riley; the other two are sponsored by Rep. John Knight and Sen. Roger Bedford, respectively. Both Knight and Bedford are Democrats.

The difference between the three plans? Gov. Riley's is the only one that would cut income taxes for everyone who pays them. Both of the Democratic proposals would raise taxes on a large number of taxpayers by eliminating the state deduction for federal income taxes.

Interestingly, Knight's bill would also index the income tax threshold to inflation - a sensible provision that I'm surprised didn't make it into the Governor's bill.