Delawareans are Likely Suffering the '1970s- Level Inflation' The lower the income, the higher the inflation impact   By Charlie Copeland, Director  Center for Analysis of Delaware's Economy & Government Spending November 10, 2022     A nationwide recession in the next 12 months is almost a certainty, but Delaware is already suffering from "stagflation" not seen since the 1970s. The Delaware Legislature needs to move very carefully in the 2023 session and stay out of the economy.   Becoming like California and damaging small businesses and employers is not a successful growth strategy during very tumu...[read more]

Delaware's 204.07% Personal Income Tax rate harms small business owners By Charlie Copeland, Director  Center for Analysis of Delaware's Economy & Government Spending April 25, 2022     Several decades ago, Delaware instituted a gross receipts tax, aka Delaware's hidden sales tax, that is applied to the business rather than the consumer. When instituted, the tax was meant to be temporary to handle a budget shortfall.   So, why does Delaware still impose this tax when 45 other states have repealed it? A gross receipts tax (GRT) is a horrible public policy.   This tax on Delaware'...[read more]

Delaware needs a "tax-free carbon holiday" to review RGGI's wasteful program By David T. Stevenson  Center for Energy & Environmental Policy April 6, 2022     You may not be aware that Delaware has a tax on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. In 2009 power companies were required to start buying allowances from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) program to emit carbon dioxide. The allowance cost was added to electric bills but was hidden from customers.   So far, under the RGGI program, Delaware has received $187 million in revenue, and as much as $100 million may ...[read more]

People Want to Give us Gifts By Charlie Copeland, Director (pictured)  Center for Analysis of Delaware's Economy & Government Spending March 28, 2022 (Also, published on 4/3/2022 by Delaware State News.)     Delaware legislators are exempt from Delaware's ethics laws leading the State to become one of the most corrupt in the Nation. This can be fixed.   Delaware has a decades-long history of corruption by elected officials. The title of this article, "People want to give us gifts," is a quote that was made by former State Senator and eventual Senate Pro Tem, David McBride (D-Hawks Nest) in late 2013 during the scan...[read more]