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
October 2008
'Creative Destruction' Follows Wal-Mart, for the Better
John Garen, chief economist at the University of Kentucky, says the growth of new businesses to replace ones that close after Wal-Mart moves into a town ... (read more)
John Garen, chief economist at the University of Kentucky, says the growth of new businesses to replace ones that close after Wal-Mart moves into a town ... (read more)
Americans Worked Until July 16 to Pay for the Cost of Government
Each and every man, woman, and child in the U.S. had to toil until July 16 this year to pay for the costs imposed by federal, state, and local governments, ... (read more)
Each and every man, woman, and child in the U.S. had to toil until July 16 this year to pay for the costs imposed by federal, state, and local governments, ... (read more)
Bargaining, Contributions an Issue in Indiana
A labor union with a large public-sector membership is pledging to spend any amount necessary to elect in Indiana a Democrat governor who will restore collective-bargaining ... (read more)
A labor union with a large public-sector membership is pledging to spend any amount necessary to elect in Indiana a Democrat governor who will restore collective-bargaining ... (read more)
Colorado Lawmakers Approve Sunday Liquor Sales
Colorado liquor stores are now allowed to sell beer, wine, and other spirits on Sundays, ending a sales ban that had been in force since Prohibition days. The ... (read more)
Colorado liquor stores are now allowed to sell beer, wine, and other spirits on Sundays, ending a sales ban that had been in force since Prohibition days. The ... (read more)
Davis-Bacon Union Wage Costs Are Reaching Far Beyond Government
Construction projects across the country cost more than they should because of a Depression-era minimum wage law meant to apply only to federally financed ... (read more)
Construction projects across the country cost more than they should because of a Depression-era minimum wage law meant to apply only to federally financed ... (read more)
Democratic Convention Committee Got Tax-Free Gasoline in Denver
Leading Democratic Party officials may want higher energy taxes, but Democrats apparently believe they should not have to pay them—at least when they’re ... (read more)
Leading Democratic Party officials may want higher energy taxes, but Democrats apparently believe they should not have to pay them—at least when they’re ... (read more)
FCC Says Comcast Violated Net Neutrality Policy
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ruled Comcast Corporation violated agency policies regarding net neutrality by blocking some downloads by ... (read more)
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ruled Comcast Corporation violated agency policies regarding net neutrality by blocking some downloads by ... (read more)
Government’s "10,000 Commandments" Cost Americans More than $1 Trillion
Federal regulations cost Americans almost as much as the income tax and more than 40 percent of all federal spending, according to “Ten Thousand Commandments,” ... (read more)
Federal regulations cost Americans almost as much as the income tax and more than 40 percent of all federal spending, according to “Ten Thousand Commandments,” ... (read more)
Incomes Climb for All Income Groups
Personal incomes and average tax rates on Americans’ incomes have both been climbing, especially at the highest earnings levels, according to the ... (read more)
Personal incomes and average tax rates on Americans’ incomes have both been climbing, especially at the highest earnings levels, according to the ... (read more)
IRS Promises to Get More Aggressive in 2009
The head of the small business/self-employed division of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has promised more audit activity in 2009. Faris Fink, who runs ... (read more)
The head of the small business/self-employed division of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has promised more audit activity in 2009. Faris Fink, who runs ... (read more)
Labor Union Conflict-of-Interest Question Hits Washington Governor
Labor unions in Washington state are pouring millions of dollars into the re-election campaign of Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) in hopes she will pour billions ... (read more)
Labor unions in Washington state are pouring millions of dollars into the re-election campaign of Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) in hopes she will pour billions ... (read more)
Medical Evidence Helps Hold Off Smoking Bans in St. Louis Region
Despite the smoking ban juggernaut that has run over other towns, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen and St. Louis County Council have both declined to impose ... (read more)
Despite the smoking ban juggernaut that has run over other towns, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen and St. Louis County Council have both declined to impose ... (read more)
NTU Awards Nine Grants to State, Local Tax Watchdog Groups
The National Taxpayers Union (NTU) has begun a program to help launch nine state- and local-level taxpayer groups, from Florida to New Hampshire and points ... (read more)
The National Taxpayers Union (NTU) has begun a program to help launch nine state- and local-level taxpayer groups, from Florida to New Hampshire and points ... (read more)
October 2008 Budget & Tax News: The High Cost of Government
The October 2008 issue of Budget & Tax News highlights the high cost of government, reporting on the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Ten Thousand ... (read more)
The October 2008 issue of Budget & Tax News highlights the high cost of government, reporting on the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Ten Thousand ... (read more)
Relief in Sight for Families Hit by Taxes on ISO Income
Two pending U.S. Senate bills include relief from the unintended consequences of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) on incentive stock options (ISOs), giving ... (read more)
Two pending U.S. Senate bills include relief from the unintended consequences of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) on incentive stock options (ISOs), giving ... (read more)
Seattle Regional Agency Sends $22.8 Billion Transit Proposal to Voters
Officials of a mass transit agency serving the Seattle region have agreed to ask area citizens to vote on a $22.8 billion transit measure in November. The ... (read more)
Officials of a mass transit agency serving the Seattle region have agreed to ask area citizens to vote on a $22.8 billion transit measure in November. The ... (read more)
St. Louis Bars and Restaurants Try Clearing the Air
Many St. Louis bars and restaurants that want to allow smoking but also attract customers concerned about secondhand smoke are installing machines that ... (read more)
Many St. Louis bars and restaurants that want to allow smoking but also attract customers concerned about secondhand smoke are installing machines that ... (read more)
States, Localities Are Spending Themselves into Trouble, Reports Show
State and local spending has been outpacing revenue growth three to one, according to figures reported by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Second quarter ... (read more)
State and local spending has been outpacing revenue growth three to one, according to figures reported by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Second quarter ... (read more)
Survey Shows Gas, Sales, and Cigarette Taxes Are Trending Higher
The taxes Americans pay as consumers in retail stores, at the gas pump, and for cigarettes are trending higher, according to an annual survey of consumption ... (read more)
The taxes Americans pay as consumers in retail stores, at the gas pump, and for cigarettes are trending higher, according to an annual survey of consumption ... (read more)
Union Members Reject State Contract in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island state government is mired in conflict after the largest state employees union rejected a labor contract brokered by its own leaders and ... (read more)
The Rhode Island state government is mired in conflict after the largest state employees union rejected a labor contract brokered by its own leaders and ... (read more)
Wal-Mart Helps, Doesn’t Hurt, Local Mom and Pop Stores
Media people, union officials, owners of small stores, politicians, and many others routinely criticize Wal-Mart for nearly as many reasons as there are ... (read more)
Media people, union officials, owners of small stores, politicians, and many others routinely criticize Wal-Mart for nearly as many reasons as there are ... (read more)
Yankees Stadium Gobbles Taxpayer Money, Reignites Debate over Public Funding
The New York Yankees’ new $1.3 billion stadium—the most expensive ever built in the United States—is being made possible by a generous ... (read more)
The New York Yankees’ new $1.3 billion stadium—the most expensive ever built in the United States—is being made possible by a generous ... (read more)
