BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Justin Ross, a professor at the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, has been appointed to the Interim State and Local Tax Review Task Force by the Indiana General Assembly.
Ross, who is also the director of Ph.D. programs in public affairs and public policy at the O’Neill School, is a public finance economist specializing in state and local tax policy. His primary research interests include property tax-related issues such as assessment and zoning.
“I’m very honored to be appointed to this role in service of Hoosiers,” Ross said. “I look forward to providing the best technical assistance I can and bringing the experience back to the classroom as lessons for O’Neill students.”
The State and Local Tax Review Task Force was established via Senate Bill 3 in January 2023 to study several tax areas, including the state’s near- and long-term financial outlook, corporate income taxes, and the state gross retail and use tax. It also calls for a review and assessment of the feasibility of reducing or eliminating individual income and homestead property taxes, among other items.
Ross is a two-time recipient of IU’s Trustees Teaching Award, and his articles have appeared in top public finance, economics, and public administration journals, including National Tax Journal, Land Economics, Journal of Environmental Economics & Management, Public Finance Review, Public Budgeting & Finance, Journal of Public Administration Research & Theory, Contemporary Economic Policy, Public Finance & Management, and the Journal of Real Estate and Finance Economics.
“O’Neill School faculty are among the leaders in shaping public policy that impacts citizens every day in the state of Indiana and beyond,” said Siân Mooney, dean of the O’Neill School. “We’re thrilled the Indiana General Assembly selected Justin to be part of this task force, and his expertise will serve the state well in this endeavor.”