Hoops Tax Forum

Spring 2023

Monday, February 27, 2023 @ 5:15 – 6:45 p.m.
SPARK G45

The Cost of Disparity:
How State Tax Policies Fuel the Racial Wealth Gap

Keynote Speaker:
Melissa Hellmann
Racial, gender and economic inequality reporter
Center for Public Integrity

Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” And if you’re a Black American, it’s almost certain that you’ll pay a higher percentage of your income in taxes than white people. The racial wealth gap has persisted, in part, due to state tax policies. Journalist Melissa Hellmann will share what she’s learned while reporting on economic inequality for the Center for Public Integrity. She’ll discuss the discriminatory history behind tax codes, how Washington’s system exacerbates inequality, and possible solutions.

Past Events

Event	Description	Video
Spring 2023	On 2/27/23 Melissa Hellmann racial, gender and economic inequality reporter for the Center for Public Integrity presented: “The Cost of Disparity: How State Tax Policies Fuel the Racial Wealth Gap”	Watch the Video
Spring 2022	On 2/15/22 Nina Olson Executive Director and Founder of the Center for Taxpayer Rights presented: “Taxpayer Rights: Taxpayer Advocates and Trust in the Tax System”	Watch the Video
Spring 2021	On 3/9/21 David Cay Johnston presented: “The Prosperity Tax – An alternative for the 21st Century”	Watch the Video
Spring 2019	On 3/27/19 in Spark G45, the Hoops Tax Institute presented: “Sales Suppression Software: What is it, How Using it Hurts Others and Could Land You Behind Bars, and what You should do if You See it”	Watch the Video
Fall 2017	On 11/29/17 the Hoops Tax Institute presented: Thomas Neubig, founding member, Tax Sage Network, and his presentation, “Federal Tax Reform: Why is it Needed, Why so difficult?”	Watch the Video
Spring 2017	On 3/6/17 the Hoops Tax Institute presented “Governor Inslee’s 2017-19 Financial Plan,” a public lecture by David Schumacher, director of the Washington State Office of Financial Management.	Watch the Video
Fall 2016	On 10/20/16, the Hoops Tax Institute presented a panel discussion on I-732 Washington state’s carbon tax initiative.	Watch the Video
Spring 2016	On 3/31/16 the Hoops Tax Institute presented a panel discussion on the OECD’s proposed multi-lateral agreement on corporate base erosion and profit sharing.	Watch the Video
Fall 2015	On 10/6/15 Cara Griffith presented, ““The Good, The Bad and the Downright Ugly: An Outsider’s Look at Washington State’s Tax System.”	Watch the Video
Spring 2015	On 2/19/15 David Cay Johnston presented, “How Government Creates Inequality: The Tax Rules That Take From the Many to Give to the Few.”	Watch the Video