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
July 2004
58 Million Wage Earners Pay No Federal Income Tax
According to the Washington, DC-based Tax Foundation, "a record 44 million tax returns filed in 2005 will be correctly demanding the return of every dollar ... (read more)
According to the Washington, DC-based Tax Foundation, "a record 44 million tax returns filed in 2005 will be correctly demanding the return of every dollar ... (read more)
ALEC Urges Temporary Repeal of State Gas Taxes
The nation's largest bipartisan, individual membership organization for state legislators is urging policymakers to give drivers relief at the pumps this ... (read more)
The nation's largest bipartisan, individual membership organization for state legislators is urging policymakers to give drivers relief at the pumps this ... (read more)
BAT Proposed for Ohio
In May 4 testimony to the Ways & Means Committee of the Ohio House of Representatives, the president of the Dayton-based Buckeye Institute for Public Policy ... (read more)
In May 4 testimony to the Ways & Means Committee of the Ohio House of Representatives, the president of the Dayton-based Buckeye Institute for Public Policy ... (read more)
Businesses Hurt by Smoking Ban in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
On April 8, voters in Oshkosh, Wisconsin approved a referendum banning smoking in some restaurants and bars. The measure passed by the slimmest of margins: ... (read more)
On April 8, voters in Oshkosh, Wisconsin approved a referendum banning smoking in some restaurants and bars. The measure passed by the slimmest of margins: ... (read more)
Citizen Groups Hail Rejection of Tax Hikes in Kansas
On May 27, the Kansas legislature officially adjourned without passing a tax hike. A budget is in place for the coming fiscal year, though many questions ... (read more)
On May 27, the Kansas legislature officially adjourned without passing a tax hike. A budget is in place for the coming fiscal year, though many questions ... (read more)
City Council Approves Chicago's First Wal-Mart
On May 26, the Chicago City Council voted in favor of one Wal-Mart construction proposal but against another, approving on a 32- 15 vote a store for the ... (read more)
On May 26, the Chicago City Council voted in favor of one Wal-Mart construction proposal but against another, approving on a 32- 15 vote a store for the ... (read more)
Congress Debates Limits on State Business Activity Taxes
Congress is debating legislation that would limit state attempts to collect taxes from out-of-state businesses. A hearing before a subcommittee of the House ... (read more)
Congress is debating legislation that would limit state attempts to collect taxes from out-of-state businesses. A hearing before a subcommittee of the House ... (read more)
Illinois Coalition Launches Anti-Tax, Pro-Jobs Campaign
A group of Illinois business and civic organizations has come together in an effort to bring more jobs to the state by holding government accountable for ... (read more)
A group of Illinois business and civic organizations has come together in an effort to bring more jobs to the state by holding government accountable for ... (read more)
July 2004 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
In 2004, 58 million Americans will have no federal income tax liability, according to the Washington, DC-based Tax Foundation. That news is highlighted ... (read more)
In 2004, 58 million Americans will have no federal income tax liability, according to the Washington, DC-based Tax Foundation. That news is highlighted ... (read more)
Key Economic Concepts for Policymakers and Business Leaders
This is the first in a series of occasional columns on economics for policymakers and business leaders. Opportunity Cost and Tradeoffs: The true cost ... (read more)
This is the first in a series of occasional columns on economics for policymakers and business leaders. Opportunity Cost and Tradeoffs: The true cost ... (read more)
Let Markets Decide Where Wal-Mart Goes
How would you like to be penalized because you do your work too well--for example, running your business so effectively that it attracts hordes of happy ... (read more)
How would you like to be penalized because you do your work too well--for example, running your business so effectively that it attracts hordes of happy ... (read more)
Massachusetts Should Cut Income Tax to 5 Percent
A June 10 economic analysis by the Beacon Hill Institute (BHI) at Suffolk University finds the Commonwealth could create thousands of new jobs and millions ... (read more)
A June 10 economic analysis by the Beacon Hill Institute (BHI) at Suffolk University finds the Commonwealth could create thousands of new jobs and millions ... (read more)
Michigan House Approves Temporary Three-Year Cigarette Tax Hike
On May 26, the Michigan House of Representatives voted in favor of making the state's cigarette tax the nation's second highest, behind only New Jersey, ... (read more)
On May 26, the Michigan House of Representatives voted in favor of making the state's cigarette tax the nation's second highest, behind only New Jersey, ... (read more)
Moody Upgrades California's Credit Rating
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is on a roll. Not only has he won praise from taxpayer advocates by achieving a no-new-taxes budget, but his ... (read more)
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is on a roll. Not only has he won praise from taxpayer advocates by achieving a no-new-taxes budget, but his ... (read more)
NTU Chided for Kansas Effort
Involvement in Kansas's tax hike debate by the Washington, DC-based National Taxpayers Union (NTU) touched a raw nerve among some observers of the state's ... (read more)
Involvement in Kansas's tax hike debate by the Washington, DC-based National Taxpayers Union (NTU) touched a raw nerve among some observers of the state's ... (read more)
Privatization of Prisons Continues in Minnesota and North Dakota
Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), the nation's largest provider of corrections management services to government agencies, announced on May 20 that ... (read more)
Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), the nation's largest provider of corrections management services to government agencies, announced on May 20 that ... (read more)
Republican Tax-Hikers Lose In Oregon
The curse against Republicans who hike taxes has struck again, this time in Oregon's fifth congressional district, where State Sen. Jackie Winters lost ... (read more)
The curse against Republicans who hike taxes has struck again, this time in Oregon's fifth congressional district, where State Sen. Jackie Winters lost ... (read more)
Sin Taxes: Inferior Revenue Sources
The search for government revenue in fiscally tight times tempts legislators to raise revenue by imposing unusually high excise taxes on cigarettes, liquor, ... (read more)
The search for government revenue in fiscally tight times tempts legislators to raise revenue by imposing unusually high excise taxes on cigarettes, liquor, ... (read more)
Special Session of Texas Legislature Achieves Nothing
A special session of the Texas legislature, called by Governor Rick Perry (R) to address school finance issues, closed on May 17 without accomplishing a ... (read more)
A special session of the Texas legislature, called by Governor Rick Perry (R) to address school finance issues, closed on May 17 without accomplishing a ... (read more)
State Budget Gaps Shrink
More than half the states are projecting surpluses by the close of the current fiscal year, a sharp contrast to the situation they faced a year ago, according ... (read more)
More than half the states are projecting surpluses by the close of the current fiscal year, a sharp contrast to the situation they faced a year ago, according ... (read more)
States Tap Private Prisons
Prison privatization remains an attractive option for governors and state legislators seeking to control spending and balance budgets. In addition to recently ... (read more)
Prison privatization remains an attractive option for governors and state legislators seeking to control spending and balance budgets. In addition to recently ... (read more)
Study Ranks States by Economic Freedom
A new report issued by the Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy (PRI) ranks Connecticut, California, and New York lowest in terms of "economic freedom"--how ... (read more)
A new report issued by the Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy (PRI) ranks Connecticut, California, and New York lowest in terms of "economic freedom"--how ... (read more)
Table: U.S. Economic Freedom Index 2004
1 = State with most economic freedom 50 = State with least economic freedom State Rank Alabama25 Alaska 33 Arizona 11 Arkansas 23 California ... (read more)
1 = State with most economic freedom 50 = State with least economic freedom State Rank Alabama25 Alaska 33 Arizona 11 Arkansas 23 California ... (read more)
Three Cheers for Beer!
Tolar, Texas just came off a very long dry spell in February, when voters approved the sale of off-premises beer and wine for the first time since the 1920s. By ... (read more)
Tolar, Texas just came off a very long dry spell in February, when voters approved the sale of off-premises beer and wine for the first time since the 1920s. By ... (read more)
Unfunded Federal Mandates Surge Again, Study Says
In the late 1980s, state legislators were "mad as hell" and they weren't going to take it anymore. They were angry about unfunded federal mandates. Democrats ... (read more)
In the late 1980s, state legislators were "mad as hell" and they weren't going to take it anymore. They were angry about unfunded federal mandates. Democrats ... (read more)
