Budget & Tax News
The Heartland Institute's national monthly outreach publication for advocates of lower taxes, balanced budgets, and limited government.
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Budget & Tax News
June 2008
California Cities Keep Collecting Phone Tax, Ignoring Federal Law
Many city attorneys in California know that the past and present collection of their city's utility tax on cell phone bills is illegal without voter approval, ... (read more)
Many city attorneys in California know that the past and present collection of their city's utility tax on cell phone bills is illegal without voter approval, ... (read more)
Chicago Midway Airport Privatization Takes Wing
Chicago's Midway International Airport, which handles 19 million passengers a year, could become the first major commercial airport in the United States ... (read more)
Chicago's Midway International Airport, which handles 19 million passengers a year, could become the first major commercial airport in the United States ... (read more)
Chicago Region Sales Taxes Surge By Nearly $1 Billion
Sales taxes in the Chicago area could climb $1 billion this year, making Chicago the most expensive city in the United States in which to shop and dine. The ... (read more)
Sales taxes in the Chicago area could climb $1 billion this year, making Chicago the most expensive city in the United States in which to shop and dine. The ... (read more)
Excerpts: "A Guide to No. Carolina's Proposed Global Warming Policies"
Regarding "cap-and-trade" programs: "In a CO2 cap-and-trade program, the government would cap the amount of total carbon dioxide emissions--it is an energy-rationing ... (read more)
Regarding "cap-and-trade" programs: "In a CO2 cap-and-trade program, the government would cap the amount of total carbon dioxide emissions--it is an energy-rationing ... (read more)
Freight Rail in Unprecedented Expansion, While High-Cost Urban Rail Transit Lags
Two years ago, I suggested the era of multibillion-dollar system-building investments in urban rail transit is coming to an end. I wrote: "The 30-year ... (read more)
Two years ago, I suggested the era of multibillion-dollar system-building investments in urban rail transit is coming to an end. I wrote: "The 30-year ... (read more)
FTC Report: U.S. Postal Service Needs More Freedom and Less Protection
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) enjoys subsidies that distort the private package delivery market and suffers legal restrictions that hinder its performance, ... (read more)
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) enjoys subsidies that distort the private package delivery market and suffers legal restrictions that hinder its performance, ... (read more)
Iowa GOP Defeats Pro-Union Amendment
House Democrats in Iowa tried to undermine the state's Right to Work law in March. Democrats disguised House File 2645 as an uncontroversial set of amendments ... (read more)
House Democrats in Iowa tried to undermine the state's Right to Work law in March. Democrats disguised House File 2645 as an uncontroversial set of amendments ... (read more)
June 2008 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
The June 2008 issue of Budget & Tax News features a series of articles addressing unionization of public- and private-sector labor, prevailing-wage rules, ... (read more)
The June 2008 issue of Budget & Tax News features a series of articles addressing unionization of public- and private-sector labor, prevailing-wage rules, ... (read more)
Labor Union Density Shows First Uptick Since 1983
The Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) annual report on union membership in the United States has logged the first increase in union membership as a share ... (read more)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) annual report on union membership in the United States has logged the first increase in union membership as a share ... (read more)
Michigan's Economic Development Corporation Favors Perception, Bluster Over Real-World Needs
Since 1999 Michigan has operated its Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and a variety of other expensive programs designed to create or keep jobs in ... (read more)
Since 1999 Michigan has operated its Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and a variety of other expensive programs designed to create or keep jobs in ... (read more)
Midway International Airport at a Glance
Approximately 840 acres, located eight miles southwest of Chicago's central business district Terminal square footage: 941,000 feet Six airlines ... (read more)
Approximately 840 acres, located eight miles southwest of Chicago's central business district Terminal square footage: 941,000 feet Six airlines ... (read more)
Minn. Veto Override Means Higher Taxes
The first veto override of Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty's (R) administration will create one of the largest tax increases in the state's 150-year history. A ... (read more)
The first veto override of Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty's (R) administration will create one of the largest tax increases in the state's 150-year history. A ... (read more)
New Job Loss Figures for Michigan Confirm the Need for Policy Reforms
Figures recently released by the national Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show Michigan is in dire need of transformational policy reform. Once again ... (read more)
Figures recently released by the national Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show Michigan is in dire need of transformational policy reform. Once again ... (read more)
NJ Governor Proposes Cuts in Spending, Jobs
New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) did more than make good on his promise to send the state legislature a Fiscal Year 2009 budget that would spend no more ... (read more)
New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) did more than make good on his promise to send the state legislature a Fiscal Year 2009 budget that would spend no more ... (read more)
North Carolina Climate Change Proposals Would Raise Taxes and Limit Freedoms
Proposals to help North Carolina address global warming would raise taxes, hurt the poor, and limit consumers' choices, according to a recent report from ... (read more)
Proposals to help North Carolina address global warming would raise taxes, hurt the poor, and limit consumers' choices, according to a recent report from ... (read more)
Prevailing-Wage Rules Cost Taxpayers $8.6 Billion Annually: Study
Biases in the measurement of the federal "prevailing wage" force U.S. taxpayers to spend $8.6 billion a year more for public construction projects than ... (read more)
Biases in the measurement of the federal "prevailing wage" force U.S. taxpayers to spend $8.6 billion a year more for public construction projects than ... (read more)
Private Airports Common Overseas
Private ownership and operation of major airports is the rule in much of Europe and Asia. The move toward privatization began in 1983, when the United Kingdom ... (read more)
Private ownership and operation of major airports is the rule in much of Europe and Asia. The move toward privatization began in 1983, when the United Kingdom ... (read more)
Proposed Minnesota Wireless Regs Are Unneeded, Destructive
Minnesota is no different from other states facing budget problems. While Minnesota lawmakers grapple with a $935 million deficit, they waste time trying ... (read more)
Minnesota is no different from other states facing budget problems. While Minnesota lawmakers grapple with a $935 million deficit, they waste time trying ... (read more)
Public-Sector Unions Must Disclose Financial Dealings, District Court Rules
A U.S. District Court judge has ruled federal financial transparency laws apply to certain public-sector unions, traditionally exempt from such regulations. If ... (read more)
A U.S. District Court judge has ruled federal financial transparency laws apply to certain public-sector unions, traditionally exempt from such regulations. If ... (read more)
States Moving to Weight-Based Taxes on Smokeless Tobacco Products
For some lawmakers, switching their states from an ad valorem tax on smokeless tobacco products to a unit-based tax is a matter of fairness. For others ... (read more)
For some lawmakers, switching their states from an ad valorem tax on smokeless tobacco products to a unit-based tax is a matter of fairness. For others ... (read more)
Summary of FTC's Recommended Postal Reforms
The Federal Trade Commission report, "Accounting for Laws that Apply Differently to the United States Postal Service and its Private Competitors," now under ... (read more)
The Federal Trade Commission report, "Accounting for Laws that Apply Differently to the United States Postal Service and its Private Competitors," now under ... (read more)
Tolls and Private Capital May Drive New Investment
Could highways become more like freight railroads? Could future highway infrastructure be financed with user fees and private capital, just like rail infrastructure? ... (read more)
Could highways become more like freight railroads? Could future highway infrastructure be financed with user fees and private capital, just like rail infrastructure? ... (read more)
Union Numbers Are Accurate Nationally, Less So by State
The modern era of the Current Population Survey (CPS), on which the Bureau of Labor Statistics' union membership numbers are based, began in 1983 when the ... (read more)
The modern era of the Current Population Survey (CPS), on which the Bureau of Labor Statistics' union membership numbers are based, began in 1983 when the ... (read more)
Va. Court Strikes Down $300M Tax Hike
In a big victory for taxpayers, the Virginia Supreme Court has unanimously ruled $300 million in new taxes levied by the Northern Virginia Transportation ... (read more)
In a big victory for taxpayers, the Virginia Supreme Court has unanimously ruled $300 million in new taxes levied by the Northern Virginia Transportation ... (read more)
Village Looks to Secede Because of High Taxes
In suburban communities on the Cook County border, the county's huge sales tax burden has businesspeople worried. Local officials and businesspeople in ... (read more)
In suburban communities on the Cook County border, the county's huge sales tax burden has businesspeople worried. Local officials and businesspeople in ... (read more)
Washington Democratic State Senator Sues to Overturn Taxpayer Protections
To overcome a forecast $2.4 billion budget deficit, the majority leader of the Washington state senate is suing the state to make it easier for lawmakers ... (read more)
To overcome a forecast $2.4 billion budget deficit, the majority leader of the Washington state senate is suing the state to make it easier for lawmakers ... (read more)
Wisc. County Saves Money with HSAs
Manitowoc County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer has discovered how market forces can help lower the county's health care costs by increasing smart shopping with ... (read more)
Manitowoc County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer has discovered how market forces can help lower the county's health care costs by increasing smart shopping with ... (read more)
Wisc. Voters Weaken 'Frankenstein' Veto, But Governor Retains Rewrite Power
Wisconsin voters in April overwhelmingly supported a referendum on a constitutional amendment to weaken the governor's "Frankenstein" veto, so called because ... (read more)
Wisconsin voters in April overwhelmingly supported a referendum on a constitutional amendment to weaken the governor's "Frankenstein" veto, so called because ... (read more)
