JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Responding to concerns from state officials, the U.S. Treasury Department said Wednesday that states can cut taxes without penalty under a new federal pandemic relief law — so long as they use their own funds to offset those cuts.
Republican governors, lawmakers and attorneys general have expressed apprehension about a provision in the wide-ranging relief act signed by President Joe Biden that prohibits states from using $195 billion of federal aid “to either directly or indirectly offset a reduction” in net tax revenue.
The restriction could apply through 2024. Republican attorneys general from 21 states wrote to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen seeking clarification on the prohibition, which they said could be