AUSTIN, Texas — The chief economist of the Texas Public Policy Foundation today greeted with cheer news that federal lawmakers on a House-Senate conference committee had decided to restore sales tax deductibility to federal income taxes for citizens living in states without a state-level income tax. Byron Schlomach, Ph.D., said: “By once again making the sales tax deductible from the federal income tax, Texans will be able to keep more of their hard-earned money, improving the Texas economy. No longer will the federal tax code encourage the adoption of a state income tax, one of the most damaging forms of taxation. Congress has eliminated one of the arguments for a state income tax and its close cousins like the business activity tax. This action makes it more likely that Texas will keep its current transparent tax system, and possibly move away from some hidden taxes like the corporate franchise tax.” (30)