About this episode

The episode explores South Dakota's emergence as a leading trust fund state and the implications of its financial system on wealth and taxation.

South Dakota has turned itself into the ‘trust fund capital’ of America, and the system is thriving financially. Some proponents say the South Dakota trust fund regime is absolutely necessary for those with mega-wealth, but others argue that it’s eroding the American tax base, enabling the hollowing out of the middle class, and defying the trust Teddy Roosevelt knew Americans had in each other. Author and investigative journalist Leah McGrath Goodman unpacks her report, ‘Inside America’s Race...

People in this episode

Host: The Corporate Law Center at Fordham University School of Law

Guest: Leah McGrath Goodman

Topics covered

• trust funds
• wealth management
• tax policy
• economic impact
• journalism

Keywords

• South Dakota
• trust funds
• wealth
• tax base
• middle class
• Teddy Roosevelt
• investigative journalism

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Corporate Law Center at Fordham University School of Law

Books & works: Inside America’s Race

Places: South Dakota

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