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 2006
Analysis: Targeted Tax Incentives Unnecessary, Ineffective
For more than a decade, the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) has been doling out significant tax incentives to businesses that promise to create ... (read more)
For more than a decade, the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) has been doling out significant tax incentives to businesses that promise to create ... (read more)
CEO Makes Case Against Corporate Welfare: An Interview with Mark Baker
With nearly 100 stores in 18 states, Gander Mountain is the nation's third-largest outdoors retailer. Unlike its two larger competitors, Bass Pro Shops ... (read more)
With nearly 100 stores in 18 states, Gander Mountain is the nation's third-largest outdoors retailer. Unlike its two larger competitors, Bass Pro Shops ... (read more)
Chicago Targets Big Retailers for Mandated Wage Hikes
The Chicago City Council is considering requiring "big box" retailers to pay wages far above the federal minimum wage, as well as a guaranteed level of ... (read more)
The Chicago City Council is considering requiring "big box" retailers to pay wages far above the federal minimum wage, as well as a guaranteed level of ... (read more)
Consumers Will Get Refunds for 1898 Phone Tax
More than 100 years after the Spanish-American War ended, the 3 percent telephone tax that was imposed to pay for the war is about to end. The U.S. Treasury ... (read more)
More than 100 years after the Spanish-American War ended, the 3 percent telephone tax that was imposed to pay for the war is about to end. The U.S. Treasury ... (read more)
Election Earthquake Rattles Pennsylvania Legislature
"Earthquake" is one of the words politicians are using to describe the ouster of numerous incumbent lawmakers in the May primary elections by voters who ... (read more)
"Earthquake" is one of the words politicians are using to describe the ouster of numerous incumbent lawmakers in the May primary elections by voters who ... (read more)
Estonia Creates an Economic Miracle
Mart Laar was barely 32 years old in 1992, when he became prime minister of Estonia, a small nation on the Baltic Sea that had just emerged from decades ... (read more)
Mart Laar was barely 32 years old in 1992, when he became prime minister of Estonia, a small nation on the Baltic Sea that had just emerged from decades ... (read more)
Florida Turns Down Subsidy for Marlins Stadium
Although Florida lawmakers declined to provide financial assistance to the Florida Marlins Major League Baseball franchise, a proposed move of the team ... (read more)
Although Florida lawmakers declined to provide financial assistance to the Florida Marlins Major League Baseball franchise, a proposed move of the team ... (read more)
Florida Wants to Double Local Car Rental Tax
The Florida legislature voted in May to allow local governments to increase the current car rental tax surcharge from $2 to $4 per rental. Now only Gov. ... (read more)
The Florida legislature voted in May to allow local governments to increase the current car rental tax surcharge from $2 to $4 per rental. Now only Gov. ... (read more)
July 2006 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
The July 2006 issue of Budget & Tax News highlights targeted tax incentives, including Gander Mountain's efforts to oppose them, the U.S. Supreme Court's ... (read more)
The July 2006 issue of Budget & Tax News highlights targeted tax incentives, including Gander Mountain's efforts to oppose them, the U.S. Supreme Court's ... (read more)
Maine Taxpayer Bill of Rights' Signatures Valid: Court
A unanimous Maine Supreme Court ruling has cleared the way for Mainers to make the final decision on a citizen's initiative referendum. An Act to Create ... (read more)
A unanimous Maine Supreme Court ruling has cleared the way for Mainers to make the final decision on a citizen's initiative referendum. An Act to Create ... (read more)
Major Retailer Challenges Targeted Tax Incentives
In a rare development, a major retailer is challenging lucrative economic development incentives frequently sought by two of its competitors. It's a revealing ... (read more)
In a rare development, a major retailer is challenging lucrative economic development incentives frequently sought by two of its competitors. It's a revealing ... (read more)
Massachusetts' Population Leak Influences Gubernatorial Campaign
Take the net departures of all the people who have fled Massachusetts in the past five years, and you would have a city the size of Norfolk, Virginia, nearly ... (read more)
Take the net departures of all the people who have fled Massachusetts in the past five years, and you would have a city the size of Norfolk, Virginia, nearly ... (read more)
Minn. Twins Win Stadium Subsidy Deal
Years of concerted effort by the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball team paid off on May 26, when Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) signed a stadium subsidy bill ... (read more)
Years of concerted effort by the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball team paid off on May 26, when Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) signed a stadium subsidy bill ... (read more)
Native Ancestry Defined
Native Hawaiian ancestry is defined in the Akaka bill as being those who are "direct lineal descendants of the aboriginal, indigenous, native people" of ... (read more)
Native Hawaiian ancestry is defined in the Akaka bill as being those who are "direct lineal descendants of the aboriginal, indigenous, native people" of ... (read more)
NC Judge Dismisses Dell Incentives Suit; Appeal Promised
A North Carolina judge on May 10 dismissed a lawsuit challenging a nearly $280 million tax incentives package the state granted to Dell, Inc. to build a ... (read more)
A North Carolina judge on May 10 dismissed a lawsuit challenging a nearly $280 million tax incentives package the state granted to Dell, Inc. to build a ... (read more)
Okla. Senator Slams Congress for its Wild Spending, Rules Violations
Managing Editor's note: Witnesses at a May 25 hearing of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International ... (read more)
Managing Editor's note: Witnesses at a May 25 hearing of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International ... (read more)
Politics Rules in Debate over Hawaiian Ethnicity Bill
A bill that would have created a "Native Hawaiian Government" with special powers for 400,000 persons of native Hawaiian ancestry died in the U.S. Senate ... (read more)
A bill that would have created a "Native Hawaiian Government" with special powers for 400,000 persons of native Hawaiian ancestry died in the U.S. Senate ... (read more)
Supreme Court Dismisses Case on Tax Breaks
In a unanimous 9-0 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court on May 15 dismissed a lawsuit over the constitutionality of Ohio's investment tax credit. The case, ... (read more)
In a unanimous 9-0 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court on May 15 dismissed a lawsuit over the constitutionality of Ohio's investment tax credit. The case, ... (read more)
Tax Hikers Lose in North Carolina, Indiana, Oregon
Taxpayers scored a huge victory in North Carolina in the May primary election as longtime incumbent state Rep. Richard T. Morgan (R-Moore) lost his bid ... (read more)
Taxpayers scored a huge victory in North Carolina in the May primary election as longtime incumbent state Rep. Richard T. Morgan (R-Moore) lost his bid ... (read more)
