Kayla Kitson (she/her/hers)
Senior Policy Fellow
Kayla Kitson, Senior Policy Fellow, conducts research, authors publications, and provides technical assistance related to state tax and revenue policies. The primary goal of her work is to advance policies that make the state’s tax system more fair and ensure that it raises enough revenue to support the services Californians need to thrive.
Before joining the Budget Center in 2018, Kayla worked on federal tax policy issues in Washington, DC at Americans for Tax Fairness and the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. Prior to getting into tax policy work, she focused on affordable housing and homelessness at organizations in Los Angeles County and the Bay Area. Kayla received a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree in social welfare from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley.
Kayla was raised in San Diego County and enjoys watching TV with wry humor, listening to music, and occasionally camping. When she’s not working or bingeing TV, you might find her doing word puzzles or practicing Spanish with Duolingo or her cat.
meet the expert: Kayla Kitson
Read more about Kayla's story and the work she's doing at the Budget Center in our Q&A.
Recent posts by Kayla Kitson
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Fact Sheet
Water’s Edge: Closing the Largest Corporate Tax Loophole in California
Corporate profits have skyrocketed in recent years while workers’ wages have stagnated and families struggle to keep up with the rising costs of living. Despite these disparities, large tax breaks, such as the “Water’s Edge” loophole, remain in place. Big corporations have also benefited greatly from the 2017 Trump tax cuts and stand to receive …California BudgetTaxes & Revenue -
Issue Brief
Profitable Corporations Can’t Keep Paying Zero in California State Taxes
In California, workers’ wages have stagnated and families struggle to keep up with the rising costs of living, while corporate profits have skyrocketed. Yet many profitable corporations in California pay zero or very little in state taxes year after year. Big corporations have also benefited greatly from the 2017 Trump tax cuts and are poised …California BudgetTaxes & Revenue -
Fact Sheet
Legal Loopholes: How Corporations Reduce Their California Tax Bill
In California, workers’ wages have stagnated and families struggle to keep up with the rising costs of living, while corporate profits have skyrocketed. Big corporations have also benefited greatly from the 2017 Trump tax cuts and are poised to receive more benefits from the federal tax and budget bill just enacted by the Trump administration …Taxes & Revenue -
Issue Brief
A Graduated Corporate Tax Ensures California’s Most Profitable Corporations Pay Their Fair Share
Corporate profits have soared in recent years, especially among a small share of large corporations. Yet because California does not have a graduated corporate income tax, large corporations pay the same tax rate as smaller ones and often have more resources to exploit tax loopholes. Big corporations have also benefited greatly from the 2017 Trump …Taxes & Revenue -
Report
Inequality Is Already Extreme in California — Republican Cuts Could Worsen It
key takeaway Republican federal budget proposals would significantly widen California’s already extreme income inequality by slashing essential programs like Medi-Cal and CalFresh while delivering massive tax breaks to the wealthy. State leaders must take action to protect Californians by preventing harmful cuts. The gap between the rich and poor in California is vast, and the …Federal Policy
