Budget & Tax News
The Heartland Institute's national monthly outreach publication for advocates of lower taxes, balanced budgets, and limited government.
Subscribe by Email Subscribe by Mail Back Issues
Budget & Tax News
March 2007
10 More States Offer Tax Break to Organ Donors
Since 2004, when Wisconsin became the first state to offer residents an income tax break for donating an organ, 10 other states have adopted similar legislation: ... (read more)
Since 2004, when Wisconsin became the first state to offer residents an income tax break for donating an organ, 10 other states have adopted similar legislation: ... (read more)
A Detailed Look at the Atlanta Traffic Proposal
The joint Reason Foundation-Georgia Public Policy Foundation report on ways to reduce traffic congestion in Atlanta includes the following recommendations: Build ... (read more)
The joint Reason Foundation-Georgia Public Policy Foundation report on ways to reduce traffic congestion in Atlanta includes the following recommendations: Build ... (read more)
Airplane Tax Hurting Kentucky Economy, Critics Say
A tax on tangible personal property that is being collected in only four Kentucky counties is harming the state's economy and holding down employment, according ... (read more)
A tax on tangible personal property that is being collected in only four Kentucky counties is harming the state's economy and holding down employment, according ... (read more)
Cable Franchise Reform Spreads
As of December 2006, 11 states had approved video franchise reform legislation. Eight of those states--California, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, New Jersey, ... (read more)
As of December 2006, 11 states had approved video franchise reform legislation. Eight of those states--California, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, New Jersey, ... (read more)
FCC Gives Franchise Reform a Boost
While it lacks the power to create a national franchising process, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) did its bit in December for competition and ... (read more)
While it lacks the power to create a national franchising process, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) did its bit in December for competition and ... (read more)
How to Unclog the Nation's Highways
The Road More Traveled: Why the Congestion Crisis Matters More Than You Think, and What We Can Do About It By Ted Balaker and Sam Staley Rowman & Littlefield ... (read more)
The Road More Traveled: Why the Congestion Crisis Matters More Than You Think, and What We Can Do About It By Ted Balaker and Sam Staley Rowman & Littlefield ... (read more)
Ill. Town Hires Private Firefighters
The village of Lakewood, Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago, has hired a private company to provide fire protection and emergency medical services ... (read more)
The village of Lakewood, Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago, has hired a private company to provide fire protection and emergency medical services ... (read more)
Illinois Pension Debt Deepens
A year after allegations of a huge extortion and kickback scheme against Illinois' government pension system grabbed headlines across the state, the state's ... (read more)
A year after allegations of a huge extortion and kickback scheme against Illinois' government pension system grabbed headlines across the state, the state's ... (read more)
Link Tax Day with Election Day: Congressman
Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) has sponsored a bill, H.R. 77 (H.R. 442 in the 109th Congress), to move the deadline for filing federal income tax returns ... (read more)
Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) has sponsored a bill, H.R. 77 (H.R. 442 in the 109th Congress), to move the deadline for filing federal income tax returns ... (read more)
Low-Tax States Cut Poverty Rates: Study
Fiscally prudent states appear to be winning the war on poverty, according to a recent study by the Goldwater Institute, which found low-tax and low-spending ... (read more)
Fiscally prudent states appear to be winning the war on poverty, according to a recent study by the Goldwater Institute, which found low-tax and low-spending ... (read more)
March 2007 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
The March 2007 issue of Budget & Tax News highlights pension reform efforts in Illinois, New Jersey, and elsewhere. On page 1 of this issue: Michigan ... (read more)
The March 2007 issue of Budget & Tax News highlights pension reform efforts in Illinois, New Jersey, and elsewhere. On page 1 of this issue: Michigan ... (read more)
Michigan OKs More Video Service Competition
After a year of bitter debate, the Michigan Legislature in December approved franchise reforms intended to increase competition in video services. No longer ... (read more)
After a year of bitter debate, the Michigan Legislature in December approved franchise reforms intended to increase competition in video services. No longer ... (read more)
Michigan Voters Reject Education Spending Mandate
Michigan voters overwhelmingly rejected a November ballot measure that would have mandated annual increases in funding for public education, in large part ... (read more)
Michigan voters overwhelmingly rejected a November ballot measure that would have mandated annual increases in funding for public education, in large part ... (read more)
New Jersey Pension System Needs 'Serious Restructuring': Governor
Soaring government pension costs have prompted New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) to call for "serious restructuring" of the state's government employee pension ... (read more)
Soaring government pension costs have prompted New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) to call for "serious restructuring" of the state's government employee pension ... (read more)
Ohio City Contemplates Local Beer Tax
City officials in Kent, Ohio may seek authority from state lawmakers to levy a local tax on beer, one of a number of options under consideration to boost ... (read more)
City officials in Kent, Ohio may seek authority from state lawmakers to levy a local tax on beer, one of a number of options under consideration to boost ... (read more)
Pension Practices Angering Taxpayers
Recent news stories about questionable practices involving government employee pensions are creating a backlash among taxpayers and some lawmakers. "At ... (read more)
Recent news stories about questionable practices involving government employee pensions are creating a backlash among taxpayers and some lawmakers. "At ... (read more)
Private Firefighters Are Popular in Arizona
Use of private firefighters and paramedics has been a longstanding practice in Arizona, where Scottsdale-based Rural/Metro Corporation runs 37 fire stations, ... (read more)
Use of private firefighters and paramedics has been a longstanding practice in Arizona, where Scottsdale-based Rural/Metro Corporation runs 37 fire stations, ... (read more)
Private Money, Tolls Roads Recommended to Reduce Atlanta Traffic Jams
Atlanta needs a major rethinking and rewriting of its long-range transportation plan, including four major toll road projects that would significantly reduce ... (read more)
Atlanta needs a major rethinking and rewriting of its long-range transportation plan, including four major toll road projects that would significantly reduce ... (read more)
Provo Municipal Broadband Stumbles as Others Have
After only two years, the municipal broadband system in Provo, Utah has begun to show the pattern of losses and declining net asset value experienced by ... (read more)
After only two years, the municipal broadband system in Provo, Utah has begun to show the pattern of losses and declining net asset value experienced by ... (read more)
Senator Sees Big Benefits in Defined Contributions
Illinois state Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) said a defined-benefit pension plan and a defined-contribution plan such as a 401(k) "provide the same benefits ... (read more)
Illinois state Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) said a defined-benefit pension plan and a defined-contribution plan such as a 401(k) "provide the same benefits ... (read more)
Senators Propose Wireless Tax Moratorium
U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Jim DeMint (R-SC) are leading a move against the imposition of new "discriminatory" taxes on wireless communications ... (read more)
U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Jim DeMint (R-SC) are leading a move against the imposition of new "discriminatory" taxes on wireless communications ... (read more)
Spending Limits Don't Inhibit Effective Government: Report
For many, the management of government boils downs to two options: either higher taxes and spending, or fewer services. A new report from a state-based ... (read more)
For many, the management of government boils downs to two options: either higher taxes and spending, or fewer services. A new report from a state-based ... (read more)
State of the Unions: Media Spread False Claims About Minimum Wage Workers
In states considering an increase in the minimum wage, news outlets have been profiling the struggles of those they call the "typical minimum wage worker." "They ... (read more)
In states considering an increase in the minimum wage, news outlets have been profiling the struggles of those they call the "typical minimum wage worker." "They ... (read more)
States Offer Organ Donors Tax Breaks
As chairman of organ transplantation at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, Dr. Hans Sollinger has seen hundreds of individuals and families undergo ... (read more)
As chairman of organ transplantation at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, Dr. Hans Sollinger has seen hundreds of individuals and families undergo ... (read more)
Texas Budget a Rags to Riches Story
Going into its second regular legislative session following the financially harrowing 2003 session--when it faced a historic $10 billion shortfall--the ... (read more)
Going into its second regular legislative session following the financially harrowing 2003 session--when it faced a historic $10 billion shortfall--the ... (read more)
Vote Seen as Referendum on Pensions
School employee pensions are widely cited as a major reason for Michigan voters' landslide rejection of a November ballot initiative that would have mandated ... (read more)
School employee pensions are widely cited as a major reason for Michigan voters' landslide rejection of a November ballot initiative that would have mandated ... (read more)
