Fitch: Tax proposal may add fiscal strain to US public finance

"A tax reform proposal by Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives could affect some states' and local jurisdictions' revenues if passed," Fitch Ratings argued in a recent report.

Key quotes

The proposal could limit tax raising flexibility, particularly for the states that charge higher taxes, as it would substantially reduce the federal tax deduction for state and local taxes. 

If the proposed changes to the deduction of mortgage interest and the cap on the deduction for property taxes reduce the incentive to buy houses, this change could result in lower revenue growth prospects for local governments absent tax rate increases. 

A proposed 1.4% excise tax on net income from the largest private colleges' endowments would be an incremental financial stress but would likely not have significant near-term credit effects on Fitch-rated colleges or universities.