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
August 2006
$10 Billion Lottery Proposal Stalls in Illinois
A proposal by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) to increase funding for public education by selling or leasing the state lottery for $10 billion may be ... (read more)
A proposal by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) to increase funding for public education by selling or leasing the state lottery for $10 billion may be ... (read more)
'Net Neutrality' Fight Moves to States
The bitter fight over "network neutrality" regulations has mainly been a matter for national legislators, but the debate over how Internet broadband is ... (read more)
The bitter fight over "network neutrality" regulations has mainly been a matter for national legislators, but the debate over how Internet broadband is ... (read more)
August 2006 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
The August 2006 issue of Budget & Tax News reports that the federal budget deficit has fallen more than 16 percent over the past year, in a period of tax ... (read more)
The August 2006 issue of Budget & Tax News reports that the federal budget deficit has fallen more than 16 percent over the past year, in a period of tax ... (read more)
Backlash Brewing Against 'Prevailing Wage' Laws
"Prevailing wage" laws that require state and local governments to pay union wages on public works projects are coming under increasing attack by taxpayers ... (read more)
"Prevailing wage" laws that require state and local governments to pay union wages on public works projects are coming under increasing attack by taxpayers ... (read more)
Bush Tax Cuts: Rhetoric and Reality
Since George W. Bush became president in 2001, Congress has enacted a series of tax cuts on just about every type of federal tax, from excise taxes to income ... (read more)
Since George W. Bush became president in 2001, Congress has enacted a series of tax cuts on just about every type of federal tax, from excise taxes to income ... (read more)
Coalition Lobbies for Eminent Domain Restrictions
Frustrated by slow progress in the U.S. Senate on eminent domain reform, 53 national and state organizations have banded together to pressure the Senate ... (read more)
Frustrated by slow progress in the U.S. Senate on eminent domain reform, 53 national and state organizations have banded together to pressure the Senate ... (read more)
Congress Hears Complaints about Telecom Taxes
Despite pressure from consumers to reduce telecommunications taxes, lawmakers continue to view the industry as a potential source of additional revenue. "Wireless ... (read more)
Despite pressure from consumers to reduce telecommunications taxes, lawmakers continue to view the industry as a potential source of additional revenue. "Wireless ... (read more)
Congressional Commission Proposed to Study Impact of Online Gambling
The American Gaming Association (AGA) may be softening its stance against online gambling, and a bill before Congress could begin efforts to study legalization ... (read more)
The American Gaming Association (AGA) may be softening its stance against online gambling, and a bill before Congress could begin efforts to study legalization ... (read more)
Consumers Pressure Lawmakers to Cut Telecom Taxes
Nearly five years after the National Governors Association and National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) urged states to reform and modernize their ... (read more)
Nearly five years after the National Governors Association and National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) urged states to reform and modernize their ... (read more)
Disaster Aid at Work: Sex Change, Divorce, Caribbean Vacation, and More
Why is anyone surprised? That's what some experts are asking in the wake of June revelations that victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 may ... (read more)
Why is anyone surprised? That's what some experts are asking in the wake of June revelations that victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 may ... (read more)
Federal Deficit Falling as Economy Climbs
Surging tax receipts have caused the federal budget deficit to drop more than 16 percent over the past year, in a period of tax rate cuts and high levels ... (read more)
Surging tax receipts have caused the federal budget deficit to drop more than 16 percent over the past year, in a period of tax rate cuts and high levels ... (read more)
House Passes Sweeping Telecom Reform
On June 8 the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill reforming the nation's video programming and telecommunications markets. The Communications Opportunity, ... (read more)
On June 8 the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill reforming the nation's video programming and telecommunications markets. The Communications Opportunity, ... (read more)
Illinois Brothers Charged with $10 Million Cigarette Tax Scam
Two brothers from the Chicago suburb of Burbank, Illinois were arrested June 6 for allegedly diverting millions of dollars in taxes on sales of tobacco ... (read more)
Two brothers from the Chicago suburb of Burbank, Illinois were arrested June 6 for allegedly diverting millions of dollars in taxes on sales of tobacco ... (read more)
Money Runs Out, Then What?
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) has said he would use $4 billion of the estimated $10 billion proceeds from his proposed sale or lease of the Illinois ... (read more)
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) has said he would use $4 billion of the estimated $10 billion proceeds from his proposed sale or lease of the Illinois ... (read more)
New Jersey Budget Crisis Ends with $1.8B Price Tag
Sales taxes and other taxes in New Jersey are projected to rise by $1.8 billion for the next fiscal year, the apparent price of ending a stalemate between ... (read more)
Sales taxes and other taxes in New Jersey are projected to rise by $1.8 billion for the next fiscal year, the apparent price of ending a stalemate between ... (read more)
New Jersey Hospital Bed Tax Scuttled
A proposal to impose a bed tax on all 74 hospitals that operate in partnership with the New Jersey state government failed in June when state Senate President ... (read more)
A proposal to impose a bed tax on all 74 hospitals that operate in partnership with the New Jersey state government failed in June when state Senate President ... (read more)
New York Lawmakers Propose Spending Limits
New York has long been known as one of the most heavily taxed states in the nation. Now two Republican lawmakers hope to bring relief to the state's beleaguered ... (read more)
New York has long been known as one of the most heavily taxed states in the nation. Now two Republican lawmakers hope to bring relief to the state's beleaguered ... (read more)
Okla. Passes $600 Million Income Tax Cut
During a special session of the Oklahoma Legislature in June, lawmakers approved a $600 million tax cut, the largest tax cut in the state's history. The ... (read more)
During a special session of the Oklahoma Legislature in June, lawmakers approved a $600 million tax cut, the largest tax cut in the state's history. The ... (read more)
Rhode Island Enacts Pro-Taxpayer Reform Package
Thanks to lawmakers who in June enacted a package of tax and spending reforms that were quickly signed into law by Gov. Donald L. Carcieri (R), Rhode Islanders ... (read more)
Thanks to lawmakers who in June enacted a package of tax and spending reforms that were quickly signed into law by Gov. Donald L. Carcieri (R), Rhode Islanders ... (read more)
School Finance Still Up in the Air in Kansas
A massive increase in state spending on public schools in Kansas might not be enough to end a decade-long lawsuit against the state, as the matter went ... (read more)
A massive increase in state spending on public schools in Kansas might not be enough to end a decade-long lawsuit against the state, as the matter went ... (read more)
Senate Moves Forward on Telecom Reform
The U.S. Senate Energy and Commerce Committee approved on June 28 a sweeping bill to overhaul U.S. telecommunications regulation. The House has already ... (read more)
The U.S. Senate Energy and Commerce Committee approved on June 28 a sweeping bill to overhaul U.S. telecommunications regulation. The House has already ... (read more)
Strange Bedfellows Insist on Transparency
When the conservative Eagle Forum and the liberal National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) come together on an issue, there's no doubt it's a position ... (read more)
When the conservative Eagle Forum and the liberal National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) come together on an issue, there's no doubt it's a position ... (read more)
Tobacco Ruling Pried from Attorneys General
On June 21, two free-market public policy groups succeeded in wresting from the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) details of a secret ruling ... (read more)
On June 21, two free-market public policy groups succeeded in wresting from the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) details of a secret ruling ... (read more)
Union Spending Exposed by New Rule
Question: What does Tiger Woods have in common with union officials? Answer: They both play a lot of golf. The only difference is that union officials ... (read more)
Question: What does Tiger Woods have in common with union officials? Answer: They both play a lot of golf. The only difference is that union officials ... (read more)
Wash. State Exceeded Its Spending Limit
On June 9 Snohomish County (Washington) Superior Court Judge James Allendoerfer filed a letter with the court indicating he believes the state exceeded ... (read more)
On June 9 Snohomish County (Washington) Superior Court Judge James Allendoerfer filed a letter with the court indicating he believes the state exceeded ... (read more)
Washington State May Collect Disputed Taxes, Court Says
A court ruling that invalidated Washington State taxes on liquor and extended warranties has been stayed by a state supreme court commissioner pending the ... (read more)
A court ruling that invalidated Washington State taxes on liquor and extended warranties has been stayed by a state supreme court commissioner pending the ... (read more)
Washington State Workers Win Back Their Jobs
Ten Washington state employees who were forced from their jobs for refusing to pay union dues are back at work. In June the state employees settled their ... (read more)
Ten Washington state employees who were forced from their jobs for refusing to pay union dues are back at work. In June the state employees settled their ... (read more)
What Are Prevailing Wages? It Depends on Who You Ask
A big part of the problem with prevailing wage laws is that prevailing wages don't prevail. The federal government and many state governments use a voluntary ... (read more)
A big part of the problem with prevailing wage laws is that prevailing wages don't prevail. The federal government and many state governments use a voluntary ... (read more)
