House Ways and Means Committee approves tax reform framework; Senate unveils separate tax reform plan
-
BlogOn November 9, the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee approved a comprehensive tax reform package, H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, setting up a likely floor vote in the House next week. Following the Ways and Means Committee’s approval of H.R. 1, Senate Republicans released their own version of a tax reform plan.House Ways and Means Committee approves tax reform framework; Senate unveils separate tax reform plan
-
Blog
House Ways and Means Committee approves tax reform framework; Senate unveils separate tax reform plan
On November 9, the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee approved a comprehensive tax reform package, H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, setting up a likely floor vote in the House next week. The passage of the tax framework concluded after four days of markups, during which House Republicans voted down dozens of House Democrat amendments before approving the final bill. Many of the amendments voted down would have preserved key county priorities, including the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, private activity bonds (PABs) and advance refunding bonds. For a detailed review of H.R. 1 and its impact on counties, click here.
Broadly, the House plan lowers individual and corporate tax rates, eliminates many deductions and credits and nearly doubles the standard deduction available to taxpayers. After releasing an initial version on November 2, House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) made several adjustments in the final package related to small business provisions, the adoption tax credit and international tax provisions.
Following the Ways and Means Committee’s approval of H.R. 1, Senate Republicans released their own version of a tax reform plan. Though the two bills contain some substantial differences, the Senate version also impacts some key county priorities: it fully eliminates the SALT deduction (the House bill only partially repeals the deduction) and also repeals the use of advance refunding bonds, which counties use to save county and taxpayer dollars on infrastructure projects. A detailed comparison of the two bills and their impacts on counties is forthcoming.
While the initial versions in each chamber contain some substantial differences, ultimately both chambers must agree on the same package before taking a final vote. Republicans plan to use the budget reconciliation process to pass the bill, requiring only a simple majority vote in the Senate. However, this process adds additional financial restrictions and rules to the legislation, which could impact the extent to which lawmakers can make desired changes to the tax code.
NACo will continue monitoring tax reform legislation and its potential impact on counties.
Additional NACo Resource:
- Click here for the analysis of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
On November 9, the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee approved a comprehensive tax reform package, H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, setting up a likely floor vote in the House next week. Following the Ways and Means Committee’s approval of H.R. 1, Senate Republicans released their own version of a tax reform plan.2017-11-10Blog2017-11-13
On November 9, the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee approved a comprehensive tax reform package, H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, setting up a likely floor vote in the House next week. The passage of the tax framework concluded after four days of markups, during which House Republicans voted down dozens of House Democrat amendments before approving the final bill. Many of the amendments voted down would have preserved key county priorities, including the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, private activity bonds (PABs) and advance refunding bonds. For a detailed review of H.R. 1 and its impact on counties, click here.
Broadly, the House plan lowers individual and corporate tax rates, eliminates many deductions and credits and nearly doubles the standard deduction available to taxpayers. After releasing an initial version on November 2, House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) made several adjustments in the final package related to small business provisions, the adoption tax credit and international tax provisions.
Following the Ways and Means Committee’s approval of H.R. 1, Senate Republicans released their own version of a tax reform plan. Though the two bills contain some substantial differences, the Senate version also impacts some key county priorities: it fully eliminates the SALT deduction (the House bill only partially repeals the deduction) and also repeals the use of advance refunding bonds, which counties use to save county and taxpayer dollars on infrastructure projects. A detailed comparison of the two bills and their impacts on counties is forthcoming.
While the initial versions in each chamber contain some substantial differences, ultimately both chambers must agree on the same package before taking a final vote. Republicans plan to use the budget reconciliation process to pass the bill, requiring only a simple majority vote in the Senate. However, this process adds additional financial restrictions and rules to the legislation, which could impact the extent to which lawmakers can make desired changes to the tax code.
NACo will continue monitoring tax reform legislation and its potential impact on counties.
Additional NACo Resource:
- Click here for the analysis of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

-
Policy Brief
Restore the Balance of Federalism and Optimize Intergovernmental Partnerships
ACTION NEEDED: -
Reports & Toolkits
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023
This analysis includes funding highlights for key programs impacting counties. -
Reports & Toolkits
Resource Hub for Counties: State, Local, Tribal and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure And Disaster Relief Flexibility Act
The bipartisan State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act will provide additional flexibility for the $350 billion Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund authorized under the American Rescue Plant Act. -
Press Release
State And Local Government Associations Commend Congress For Infrastructure And Disaster Flexibility
With the enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, the seven leading organizations representing state and local governments at the federal level thank Congress for providing flexibility to use American Rescue Plan Act funds for purposes of infrastructure, neighborhood revitalization, and disaster relief. -
Reports & Toolkits
Legislative Analysis for Counties: State, Local, Tribal and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure And Disaster Relief Flexibility Act
VIEW YOUR COUNTY’S ARPA FLEXIBLE FUND ALLOCATION UNDER S. 3011 -
Press Release
Omnibus Bill Amendment Provides Valuable Flexibility, Resources for Counties
NACo strongly advocated for passage of Cornyn/Padilla provision and other county priorities in omnibus package
-
Reports & Toolkits
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Resource Hub
Explore NACo's resource hub for the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.Reports & Toolkitsdocument010512:15 pmReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out transparent">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td> -
Basic page
ClearGov
ClearGov® is the leading provider of Budget Cycle Management software, focused on helping local governments streamline the annual budgeting process by improving the collection, creation, and communication of their budgets.pagepagepage<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out transparent">
<tbody>
<tr> -
Basic page
Finance, Pensions & Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to the financial resources of counties, fiscal management, federal assistance, municipal borrowing, county revenues, federal budget, federal tax reform, elections and Native American issues. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to the financial resources of counties, fiscal management, federal assistance, municipal borrowing, county revenues, federal budget, federal tax reform, elections and Native American issues.</p>
Contact
-
Director of Strategic Relations(202) 661-8805
Related Posts
-
BlogU.S. Congress moves forward with financial data reporting standardsDec. 9, 2022
-
BlogGASB seeks input on subsequent reporting guidanceNov. 15, 2022
-
BlogLet’s Get automating: Why You Should Modernize Your County’s Expense SystemOct. 7, 2022
Related Resources
-
Policy BriefRestore the Balance of Federalism and Optimize Intergovernmental PartnershipsJan. 26, 2023
-
Reports & ToolkitsLegislative Analysis for Counties: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023Jan. 17, 2023
-
Reports & ToolkitsResource Hub for Counties: State, Local, Tribal and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure And Disaster Relief Flexibility ActJan. 10, 2023
More From
-
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023
This analysis includes funding highlights for key programs impacting counties.
Learn More