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
June 2007
America's Tax Bill Tops $26,738 Per Household
Americans paid about $3 trillion in taxes in 2004, totaling $26,738 per household, according to a new study released March 26 by the Tax Foundation. "Which ... (read more)
Americans paid about $3 trillion in taxes in 2004, totaling $26,738 per household, according to a new study released March 26 by the Tax Foundation. "Which ... (read more)
Bills to Restrict Tax Competition Draw Ire
Two U.S. lawmakers have presented legislation attacking tax competition among nations, causing worry the legislation, if it becomes law, would damage the ... (read more)
Two U.S. lawmakers have presented legislation attacking tax competition among nations, causing worry the legislation, if it becomes law, would damage the ... (read more)
Chicago Secretly Plans to Sell Assets to Fund 2016 Summer Olympics
Months after Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley began promising taxpayers they would not foot the bill for the 2016 Olympics, the city secretly drafted a plan ... (read more)
Months after Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley began promising taxpayers they would not foot the bill for the 2016 Olympics, the city secretly drafted a plan ... (read more)
Chicago-Area School District Privatizes Student Bus Service
One of the largest public school districts in Illinois has decided to hire a private company to run the district's student bus services. Community Unit ... (read more)
One of the largest public school districts in Illinois has decided to hire a private company to run the district's student bus services. Community Unit ... (read more)
Cost of Chicago Hiring Corruption: $12 Million
The City of Chicago has announced a $12 million settlement to pay damages for illegal hiring practices that rewarded political insiders and workers who ... (read more)
The City of Chicago has announced a $12 million settlement to pay damages for illegal hiring practices that rewarded political insiders and workers who ... (read more)
Experts Discuss Medicaid Reform
The need for Medicaid reform was the subject of a session in March at the 23rd Annual Washington Economic Policy Conference sponsored by the National Association ... (read more)
The need for Medicaid reform was the subject of a session in March at the 23rd Annual Washington Economic Policy Conference sponsored by the National Association ... (read more)
Grassroots Help Defeat Multibillion-Dollar Rail Loan
In a huge win for taxpayers, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has denied a $2.3 billion federal loan to the Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern Railroad ... (read more)
In a huge win for taxpayers, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has denied a $2.3 billion federal loan to the Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern Railroad ... (read more)
Ill. Governor Adds to Record Tax Hike Plan
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) has tacked more than $1 billion onto the record tax hike proposal he announced during his State of the State address on ... (read more)
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) has tacked more than $1 billion onto the record tax hike proposal he announced during his State of the State address on ... (read more)
June 2007 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
The June 2007 issue of Budget & Tax News highlights the growing need for Medicaid reform in the states. On page 1: Medicaid spending is expected to ... (read more)
The June 2007 issue of Budget & Tax News highlights the growing need for Medicaid reform in the states. On page 1: Medicaid spending is expected to ... (read more)
Medicaid Spending Surges in 2007
Medicaid spending is expected to grow more than 6 percent in 2007, according to the latest projections from the Congressional Budget Office and the U.S. ... (read more)
Medicaid spending is expected to grow more than 6 percent in 2007, according to the latest projections from the Congressional Budget Office and the U.S. ... (read more)
Numerous Taxes Burden All Family Income Levels
The following are some of the important findings in the study "Which Taxes Weigh Most Heavily on Americans with Different Incomes?" released March 26 by ... (read more)
The following are some of the important findings in the study "Which Taxes Weigh Most Heavily on Americans with Different Incomes?" released March 26 by ... (read more)
Often Right: Economist Exposes Distortions, Misunderstandings about Income and Wealth
"There is an endless flood of gloomy books and newspaper articles creating an absurdly false impression that the 1970s were the good old days while the ... (read more)
"There is an endless flood of gloomy books and newspaper articles creating an absurdly false impression that the 1970s were the good old days while the ... (read more)
Often Wrong, Never in Doubt
The Great Risk Shift By Jacob S. Hacker Oxford University Press, 2006 256 pages, $26 hardcover, ISBN 0195179501 Jacob Hacker is a young and prolific ... (read more)
The Great Risk Shift By Jacob S. Hacker Oxford University Press, 2006 256 pages, $26 hardcover, ISBN 0195179501 Jacob Hacker is a young and prolific ... (read more)
Open Letter Opposing S. 396 and S. 681
March 19, 2007 The Honorable Henry M. Paulson, Jr. Secretary Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20220 Dear ... (read more)
March 19, 2007 The Honorable Henry M. Paulson, Jr. Secretary Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20220 Dear ... (read more)
Other States Take Up Transparency Measures
Among the states in which legislation creating searchable Web sites for government expenditures has been introduced are Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, ... (read more)
Among the states in which legislation creating searchable Web sites for government expenditures has been introduced are Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, ... (read more)
Pressure Is Building for States to Reveal Spending
A movement to bring transparency into government spending is gaining steam across the country. Guided by the idea that accountability is one of the cornerstones ... (read more)
A movement to bring transparency into government spending is gaining steam across the country. Guided by the idea that accountability is one of the cornerstones ... (read more)
Public Pensions, Benefits Are Unsustainable: Reports
In a new report on the benefits of public and private employment, "Public vs. Private Compensation," the Alabama Policy Institute writes, "over ... (read more)
In a new report on the benefits of public and private employment, "Public vs. Private Compensation," the Alabama Policy Institute writes, "over ... (read more)
Schwarzenegger Makes Gray Look Good
Three years after Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) was elected California's governor on the promise to "cut up the credit cards," the state's debt burden has more ... (read more)
Three years after Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) was elected California's governor on the promise to "cut up the credit cards," the state's debt burden has more ... (read more)
Smokes, Drinks Are Tax Targets in Michigan
A proposal to raise taxes on "services" in Michigan appears unlikely to move forward, but proposals to raise taxes on liquor, cigarettes, and other tobacco ... (read more)
A proposal to raise taxes on "services" in Michigan appears unlikely to move forward, but proposals to raise taxes on liquor, cigarettes, and other tobacco ... (read more)
Some Choose to Ignore, Deny Problem
The amounts of money involved and the potential reaction to the tax consequences of having to fund government retiree health care and other post-employment ... (read more)
The amounts of money involved and the potential reaction to the tax consequences of having to fund government retiree health care and other post-employment ... (read more)
State Post-Employment Benefits Debts Heading Toward Crisis
While early estimates suggested state and local governments have accumulated hundreds of billions of dollars of debt in unfunded "other post-employment ... (read more)
While early estimates suggested state and local governments have accumulated hundreds of billions of dollars of debt in unfunded "other post-employment ... (read more)
Tax-Hike Proponents Refuse to Pay More Themselves
Tax Me More accounts, also known as voluntary contribution accounts, have brought in precious little revenue to date, vividly demonstrating the hypocrisy ... (read more)
Tax Me More accounts, also known as voluntary contribution accounts, have brought in precious little revenue to date, vividly demonstrating the hypocrisy ... (read more)
Temporary Stadium Keys Chicago's Olympic Bid
A plan for construction of a temporary stadium was central to Chicago's winning bid to host the 2016 Olympics.Chicago's U.S. rival was Los Angeles. The ... (read more)
A plan for construction of a temporary stadium was central to Chicago's winning bid to host the 2016 Olympics.Chicago's U.S. rival was Los Angeles. The ... (read more)
Texas Governor Wants Medicaid Reforms, More Private Insurance
Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) is proposing several bold steps to reform the state Medicaid program and help the uninsured purchase health insurance, including ... (read more)
Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) is proposing several bold steps to reform the state Medicaid program and help the uninsured purchase health insurance, including ... (read more)
U.S. Income Inequality Is Not Increasing
Income and Wealth By Alan Reynolds Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2006 231 pages, $55.00, ISBN 0-313-33688-1 The past decade has brought a tsunami ... (read more)
Income and Wealth By Alan Reynolds Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2006 231 pages, $55.00, ISBN 0-313-33688-1 The past decade has brought a tsunami ... (read more)
