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 2005
$246 Billion Tobacco Settlement Faces Constitutional Challenge
The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) has launched a legal challenge to the constitutionality of the multi-state tobacco settlement of 1998. The ... (read more)
The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) has launched a legal challenge to the constitutionality of the multi-state tobacco settlement of 1998. The ... (read more)
Big Spending Ignites Revolt in Palm Beach
Until its Election Day 2000 debacle with butterfly ballots and hanging chads, Florida's ritzy Palm Beach County was best known nationally as a winter playground ... (read more)
Until its Election Day 2000 debacle with butterfly ballots and hanging chads, Florida's ritzy Palm Beach County was best known nationally as a winter playground ... (read more)
Bill Would Divide Hawaii by Race, Dole Out Entitlements
Legislation to divide Hawaii along racial lines and hand out race-based government benefits to as much as 20 percent of the state's population is moving ... (read more)
Legislation to divide Hawaii along racial lines and hand out race-based government benefits to as much as 20 percent of the state's population is moving ... (read more)
Chicago Ordinance Would Allow More Retail Stores
Some Chicago aldermen have proposed an ordinance to ban the use of "restrictive covenants" that some businesses use to keep new businesses from moving in ... (read more)
Some Chicago aldermen have proposed an ordinance to ban the use of "restrictive covenants" that some businesses use to keep new businesses from moving in ... (read more)
County Chairman Sees Chance to 'Wipe the Slate Clean'
The Sandy Springs revolt has spawned other city movements in Fulton County. County Chairman Karen Handel said two other unincorporated areas in North Fulton ... (read more)
The Sandy Springs revolt has spawned other city movements in Fulton County. County Chairman Karen Handel said two other unincorporated areas in North Fulton ... (read more)
Court Sides with Illinois Taxpayers over Tort Tax
In a big victory for Illinois taxpayers, a state circuit court has ruled it is illegal to use tort tax funds for purposes other than those specifically ... (read more)
In a big victory for Illinois taxpayers, a state circuit court has ruled it is illegal to use tort tax funds for purposes other than those specifically ... (read more)
Dominick's Move Sparks Alderman into Action
The debate over deed restrictions surfaced when California-based Safeway Inc., which owns the Dominick's grocery story chain, closed 12 stores in the Chicago ... (read more)
The debate over deed restrictions surfaced when California-based Safeway Inc., which owns the Dominick's grocery story chain, closed 12 stores in the Chicago ... (read more)
Federal Legislation Aims to Expand TV Offerings
The U.S. Senate is considering legislation that would remove government-created barriers critics say drive up the cost of cable television and keep technological ... (read more)
The U.S. Senate is considering legislation that would remove government-created barriers critics say drive up the cost of cable television and keep technological ... (read more)
Federal Tax Law Change Brings $210 Billion in Profits Back to U.S.
Less than one year after the Invest in USA provision of the American Jobs Creation Act (AJCA) was signed into law, more than $210 billion of "foreign" profits ... (read more)
Less than one year after the Invest in USA provision of the American Jobs Creation Act (AJCA) was signed into law, more than $210 billion of "foreign" profits ... (read more)
Grand Rapids School Board Privatizes Busing
When students in Grand Rapids, Michigan boarded their school buses for the start of this school year, they probably did not know it was the first of many ... (read more)
When students in Grand Rapids, Michigan boarded their school buses for the start of this school year, they probably did not know it was the first of many ... (read more)
Higher Alcohol Taxes Unlikely in 2006
After mostly unsuccessful efforts to boost state taxes on beer and other alcoholic beverages in 2005, advocates for higher taxes are likely to face another ... (read more)
After mostly unsuccessful efforts to boost state taxes on beer and other alcoholic beverages in 2005, advocates for higher taxes are likely to face another ... (read more)
Ill. Governor Implicated in Pension Probe
As the federal corruption trial of Illinois' immediate past governor was about to begin, the state's current governor apparently was implicated in a massive ... (read more)
As the federal corruption trial of Illinois' immediate past governor was about to begin, the state's current governor apparently was implicated in a massive ... (read more)
Katrina Cleanup Costs Climb
As the costs of recovery from damages caused by Hurricane Katrina mount, so do calls for cuts in other discretionary spending by the federal government. ... (read more)
As the costs of recovery from damages caused by Hurricane Katrina mount, so do calls for cuts in other discretionary spending by the federal government. ... (read more)
Multi-State Lawsuits Increase
State attorneys general have acknowledged a trend of increasing multi-state lawsuits. At a 2004 event hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Attorney ... (read more)
State attorneys general have acknowledged a trend of increasing multi-state lawsuits. At a 2004 event hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Attorney ... (read more)
Nearly 14,000 Pork Projects in Federal Budget this Year
"Pork" spending by Congress has exploded in recent years. The $286 billion highway bill passed in July was bloated with 6,371 special projects inserted ... (read more)
"Pork" spending by Congress has exploded in recent years. The $286 billion highway bill passed in July was bloated with 6,371 special projects inserted ... (read more)
North Carolina Cigarette Retailers Say New Cigarette Tax 'Stinks'
Josie Beasley had an immediate response when asked about North Carolina's increase in the cigarette tax. "I think it stinks," said Beasley, who sells ... (read more)
Josie Beasley had an immediate response when asked about North Carolina's increase in the cigarette tax. "I think it stinks," said Beasley, who sells ... (read more)
November Ballot Initiatives Showdown Between California Taxers, Taxpayers
No foe California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) has had to face in his movies has proved as tough to conquer as the real-life state budget. In March ... (read more)
No foe California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) has had to face in his movies has proved as tough to conquer as the real-life state budget. In March ... (read more)
October 2005 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
The October 2005 issue of Budget & Tax News offers wide-ranging coverage of public employee pensions, pork in the federal budget, and the steady growth ... (read more)
The October 2005 issue of Budget & Tax News offers wide-ranging coverage of public employee pensions, pork in the federal budget, and the steady growth ... (read more)
Pension Investment Fees Get Close Look, Calls for Reform
Questionable fees amounting to millions of dollars that have been paid to middlemen for the placement of Illinois' government employee pension investments ... (read more)
Questionable fees amounting to millions of dollars that have been paid to middlemen for the placement of Illinois' government employee pension investments ... (read more)
State, Local Pension Plans Are 'A Ticking Time Bomb Set to Explode'
In July 2005, Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski (R) signed legislation that will change the state's public pension system from a nineteenth century defined benefit ... (read more)
In July 2005, Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski (R) signed legislation that will change the state's public pension system from a nineteenth century defined benefit ... (read more)
States Lead New Privatization Efforts, Report Says
Several states have led the charge to introduce competition into their government activities in the past year, among them Florida, which has been a front-runner ... (read more)
Several states have led the charge to introduce competition into their government activities in the past year, among them Florida, which has been a front-runner ... (read more)
TABORs Receive New Attention
This year's Reason privatization report includes a section on TABORs--Taxpayers' Bills of Rights--which limit taxes and spending. As the first state to ... (read more)
This year's Reason privatization report includes a section on TABORs--Taxpayers' Bills of Rights--which limit taxes and spending. As the first state to ... (read more)
Tax Revolt Leads to New City in Fulton County, Ga.
In a move to gain more control over Fulton County tax dollars flowing out of their area, Sandy Springs, Georgia has decided to incorporate and is moving ... (read more)
In a move to gain more control over Fulton County tax dollars flowing out of their area, Sandy Springs, Georgia has decided to incorporate and is moving ... (read more)
