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
February 2004
A Review of Tax Changes Taking Effect this Year
Tax law changes that take effect this year will make a difference in your personal finances. Some will happen automatically, and some of these new tax ... (read more)
Tax law changes that take effect this year will make a difference in your personal finances. Some will happen automatically, and some of these new tax ... (read more)
About Jose Piñera
Cato Institute Distinguished Senior Fellow Jose Piñera is co-chairman of Cato’s Project on Social Security Choice. As Chile’s secretary of labor and social ... (read more)
Cato Institute Distinguished Senior Fellow Jose Piñera is co-chairman of Cato’s Project on Social Security Choice. As Chile’s secretary of labor and social ... (read more)
ATR Ranks Dean a 'Tax and Spend' Governor
Democratic Presidential hopeful Howard Dean ended 2003 on the campaign trail, defending his record as governor of Vermont. But according to Americans ... (read more)
Democratic Presidential hopeful Howard Dean ended 2003 on the campaign trail, defending his record as governor of Vermont. But according to Americans ... (read more)
Boston Mayor Advocates Property Tax Shift
At a December 30 meeting of a special legislative commission on property taxes, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino advocated a plan for a temporary shift of ... (read more)
At a December 30 meeting of a special legislative commission on property taxes, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino advocated a plan for a temporary shift of ... (read more)
California Blueprint for Workers’ Comp Reform
Workers’ compensation is a worthwhile program that works well in most states. California’s program, 90 years old, should be salvaged. But lawmakers ... (read more)
Workers’ compensation is a worthwhile program that works well in most states. California’s program, 90 years old, should be salvaged. But lawmakers ... (read more)
California Launches New Round of Workers’ Comp Reform
In early January, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger renewed his call for dramatic reform of the state’s workers’ compensation insurance program, ... (read more)
In early January, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger renewed his call for dramatic reform of the state’s workers’ compensation insurance program, ... (read more)
Cigarette Tax Increases, 2000-2004 (table)
Cigarette Tax Increases 2000 - 2004 State Increase/Pack New Rate/Pack Effective Date Arizona $0.58 $1.18 11/25/2002 Arkansas $0.04 $0.34 7/1/2001 ... (read more)
Cigarette Tax Increases 2000 - 2004 State Increase/Pack New Rate/Pack Effective Date Arizona $0.58 $1.18 11/25/2002 Arkansas $0.04 $0.34 7/1/2001 ... (read more)
Cook County Board Considers Compromise to Cut Spending
On December 15, a respected Chicago civic institution offered the Cook County (Illinois) Board of Commissioners advice on how to balance its fiscal 2004 ... (read more)
On December 15, a respected Chicago civic institution offered the Cook County (Illinois) Board of Commissioners advice on how to balance its fiscal 2004 ... (read more)
Economist David Ricardo on Taxes
David Ricardo, born in 1772, became interested in economics at the age of 27 after a chance reading of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations (1776). Ricardo ... (read more)
David Ricardo, born in 1772, became interested in economics at the age of 27 after a chance reading of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations (1776). Ricardo ... (read more)
February 2004 Budget & Tax News (pdf)
The February 2004 issue of Budget & Tax News reports solid improvement in the U.S. economy, which policy analysts say should help states ease out of their ... (read more)
The February 2004 issue of Budget & Tax News reports solid improvement in the U.S. economy, which policy analysts say should help states ease out of their ... (read more)
Former Senator, Friend of Taxpayer Dies
Former U.S. Senator William V. Roth Jr., a fighter for tax cuts and IRS reformer during his five terms in Congress and creator of the popular retirement ... (read more)
Former U.S. Senator William V. Roth Jr., a fighter for tax cuts and IRS reformer during his five terms in Congress and creator of the popular retirement ... (read more)
Growing Economy Aids State Budgets
Year-end 2003 economic reports suggested the U.S. economy is on the road to recovery. “After two years of poor resolution, the economic landscape is ... (read more)
Year-end 2003 economic reports suggested the U.S. economy is on the road to recovery. “After two years of poor resolution, the economic landscape is ... (read more)
Letter to Pinera from Slovakia
Dear Mr. Piñera, Please allow me to convey to you my warmest greetings and thanks for your precious time during our visit to Chile. At the same time ... (read more)
Dear Mr. Piñera, Please allow me to convey to you my warmest greetings and thanks for your precious time during our visit to Chile. At the same time ... (read more)
Oakland Mayor Floats Sin Taxes on Junk Food and Drinking
Oakland, California Mayor Jerry Brown has recommended the state solve its budget woes by exploiting residents’ bad habits, by taxing behaviors such as ... (read more)
Oakland, California Mayor Jerry Brown has recommended the state solve its budget woes by exploiting residents’ bad habits, by taxing behaviors such as ... (read more)
On the Frontier: Colorado’s Taxpayers Bill of Rights
Colorado is often cited as the state with the most stringent tax and expenditure limit (TEL) in the country. State elected officials nationwide can learn ... (read more)
Colorado is often cited as the state with the most stringent tax and expenditure limit (TEL) in the country. State elected officials nationwide can learn ... (read more)
Oregon Should Follow the Example of Florida, Outsource Human Resource Services
A tax recall vote on Oregon’s February 3 ballot is just one indication that taxpayers nationwide prefer spending cuts, rather than tax increases, for ... (read more)
A tax recall vote on Oregon’s February 3 ballot is just one indication that taxpayers nationwide prefer spending cuts, rather than tax increases, for ... (read more)
Pennsylvania Legislature Finishes Only Half of Budget Business
Although they did not get the property tax relief measure they were holding out for, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives nevertheless voted 104-89 ... (read more)
Although they did not get the property tax relief measure they were holding out for, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives nevertheless voted 104-89 ... (read more)
Retailers Cut Prices in Moscow as Sales Tax Ends
Russia’s largest retail chains plan to lower prices 5 percent in response to the government’s decision to drop the sales tax in 2004, according to the ... (read more)
Russia’s largest retail chains plan to lower prices 5 percent in response to the government’s decision to drop the sales tax in 2004, according to the ... (read more)
Schwarzenegger Caves on Spending Limit
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger abandoned a core campaign promise in mid-December when he signed a fiscal-reform package that did not include ... (read more)
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger abandoned a core campaign promise in mid-December when he signed a fiscal-reform package that did not include ... (read more)
Slovakia Adopts Personal Retirement Accounts
A former Soviet republic is moving to privatize its national pension system, adopting a system of personal retirement accounts similar to what the Bush ... (read more)
A former Soviet republic is moving to privatize its national pension system, adopting a system of personal retirement accounts similar to what the Bush ... (read more)
Spending Our Future Tax Cuts?
Not too long ago, conservative lawmakers talked about enacting new tax cuts each and every year of the Bush administration. The White House has been led ... (read more)
Not too long ago, conservative lawmakers talked about enacting new tax cuts each and every year of the Bush administration. The White House has been led ... (read more)
Taxpayer Advocates Battle Tax Increases
In Nevada, Dan Burdish of Nevadans for Tax Restraint and George Harris of Nevadans for Sound Government are leading the fight to repeal part of Democrat ... (read more)
In Nevada, Dan Burdish of Nevadans for Tax Restraint and George Harris of Nevadans for Sound Government are leading the fight to repeal part of Democrat ... (read more)
Temporary Sales Tax Petition Falters in Missouri
According to a recent Associated Press report from Jefferson City, Missouri, “supporters of a tough-times tax proposal have abandoned efforts to get it ... (read more)
According to a recent Associated Press report from Jefferson City, Missouri, “supporters of a tough-times tax proposal have abandoned efforts to get it ... (read more)
Virginia Governor Proposes Largest Budget, Tax Increase in State History
Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner (D) on December 17 presented his executive budget for the 2005-2006 biennium to the joint money committees of the commonwealth’s ... (read more)
Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner (D) on December 17 presented his executive budget for the 2005-2006 biennium to the joint money committees of the commonwealth’s ... (read more)
Virginia Has Its Own California Problem
If you watched the recall of Governor Gray Davis and the elevation of Arnold Schwarzenegger in California, you know the Golden State is in dire fiscal ... (read more)
If you watched the recall of Governor Gray Davis and the elevation of Arnold Schwarzenegger in California, you know the Golden State is in dire fiscal ... (read more)
Wisconsin Needs a Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights
Although most policy analysts acknowledge weaknesses in Colorado’s tax and expenditure limitation--the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) adopted in 1992--the ... (read more)
Although most policy analysts acknowledge weaknesses in Colorado’s tax and expenditure limitation--the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) adopted in 1992--the ... (read more)
