1. Federal taxable income is the common starting point for States when calculating State taxable income. Reflect on this and discuss if you think this is a good idea, or if States would be better served having their own Calculation from the outset.

2. There is a wide variety of specific tax additions and subtractions among the States. Do you think this is ultimately a good thing for States? What about for businesses? Should States consider the impact on businesses when developing their fiscal budgets and tax policies to fund those budgets?