Budget and Tax News Back Issues - Click on an Issue to see Articles from that Issue
Budget & Tax News
March 2008
2006 ISO Fix Penalizes Productivity, Skilled Work
A provision of the 2006 legislation addressing unintended tax penalties on incentive stock options (ISOs) under the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) is proving ... (read more)
A provision of the 2006 legislation addressing unintended tax penalties on incentive stock options (ISOs) under the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) is proving ... (read more)
A Look at Rich States, Poor States
Rich States, Poor States, by Arthur Laffer and Stephen Moore, ranks states' economic competitiveness based on policies that have been shown to cause people ... (read more)
Rich States, Poor States, by Arthur Laffer and Stephen Moore, ranks states' economic competitiveness based on policies that have been shown to cause people ... (read more)
AMT 'Patch' Saves Millions from Higher Taxes
Federal income tax refunds for millions of taxpayers could be delayed this year, but higher income tax bills for millions of taxpayers will be avoided as ... (read more)
Federal income tax refunds for millions of taxpayers could be delayed this year, but higher income tax bills for millions of taxpayers will be avoided as ... (read more)
California Budget Woes Underscore Need for a Tough State Spending Limit
Four years ago, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) rode into Sacramento brandishing the sword of fiscal discipline. He vowed to avenge the California ... (read more)
Four years ago, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) rode into Sacramento brandishing the sword of fiscal discipline. He vowed to avenge the California ... (read more)
Congress Moves to Fix Tax Penalties Against Incentive Stock Options
Congress is finishing work begun in 2006 to remedy an unintended consequence of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)--the treatment of a form of employee compensation ... (read more)
Congress is finishing work begun in 2006 to remedy an unintended consequence of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)--the treatment of a form of employee compensation ... (read more)
Court, Congress Move Against 'TV Taxes'
In a victory for consumers and other advocates of equal tax treatment of telecommunications services, Franklin County, Ohio Judge Daniel Hogan has struck ... (read more)
In a victory for consumers and other advocates of equal tax treatment of telecommunications services, Franklin County, Ohio Judge Daniel Hogan has struck ... (read more)
Created by Congress, ISOs Crushed by AMT
Congress passed legislation to create incentive stock options (ISOs) in 1981 to provide entrepreneurial companies that must conserve cash a way to attract ... (read more)
Congress passed legislation to create incentive stock options (ISOs) in 1981 to provide entrepreneurial companies that must conserve cash a way to attract ... (read more)
Feds Investigate Evidence of Fraud in Seattle Port Projects
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation of the Port of Seattle after a recent performance audit uncovered compelling evidence ... (read more)
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation of the Port of Seattle after a recent performance audit uncovered compelling evidence ... (read more)
Feds Launch Spending Transparency Web Site
The federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has accomplished an early launch of USASpending.gov, a Web site that allows taxpayers to track how the ... (read more)
The federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has accomplished an early launch of USASpending.gov, a Web site that allows taxpayers to track how the ... (read more)
High Taxes Drive People and Jobs Out of States
Just as nations compete economically, so do the individual states within the United States. In fact, states are much more likely to lose jobs and people ... (read more)
Just as nations compete economically, so do the individual states within the United States. In fact, states are much more likely to lose jobs and people ... (read more)
Ind. Township Government Targeted for Elimination
One recommendation of the Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform is to eliminate township government in Indiana. Township government duties, which ... (read more)
One recommendation of the Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform is to eliminate township government in Indiana. Township government duties, which ... (read more)
Indiana Governor Orders Agencies to Cut Spending
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) ordered all state agencies to cut budgets by 5 percent after receiving word 2008 state revenues could be $231 million less ... (read more)
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) ordered all state agencies to cut budgets by 5 percent after receiving word 2008 state revenues could be $231 million less ... (read more)
March 2008 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
The March 2008 issue of Budget & Taxes News highlights the effect of taxes on economic growth, with articles summarizing the American Legislative Exchange ... (read more)
The March 2008 issue of Budget & Taxes News highlights the effect of taxes on economic growth, with articles summarizing the American Legislative Exchange ... (read more)
Michigan Governor Promises: 'I'm Not Ever Going to Raise Taxes Again'
At the end of a year-long, successful campaign to impose a $1.4 billion tax hike on Michigan's groaning economy, Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) announced, "I'm ... (read more)
At the end of a year-long, successful campaign to impose a $1.4 billion tax hike on Michigan's groaning economy, Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) announced, "I'm ... (read more)
Michigan Moves to Collect Union PAC Money
Michigan's Office of the State Employer (OSE) wants state agencies to have the power to deduct political action committee funds from the paychecks of state ... (read more)
Michigan's Office of the State Employer (OSE) wants state agencies to have the power to deduct political action committee funds from the paychecks of state ... (read more)
Nation's First Bottled Water Tax Hits Chicagoans
Chicago has become the first city in the nation to tax bottled water. The 5 cents a bottle tax took effect January 1. The average price for a case of ... (read more)
Chicago has become the first city in the nation to tax bottled water. The 5 cents a bottle tax took effect January 1. The average price for a case of ... (read more)
OpenBooks in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Office of State Finance ended 2007 by launching OpenBooks, a Web site created thanks to the passage of state Sen. Randy Brogdon's (R-Owasso) ... (read more)
The Oklahoma Office of State Finance ended 2007 by launching OpenBooks, a Web site created thanks to the passage of state Sen. Randy Brogdon's (R-Owasso) ... (read more)
President Asked to Block Earmarks
A group of 18 taxpayer and government watchdog organizations representing hundreds of thousands of citizens has sent a letter to President George W. Bush ... (read more)
A group of 18 taxpayer and government watchdog organizations representing hundreds of thousands of citizens has sent a letter to President George W. Bush ... (read more)
Report: Indiana Should Downsize and Cut Waste
Public outcry over rising property taxes could lead to a major reorganization of Indiana's local governments. Reorganization is recommended by a report ... (read more)
Public outcry over rising property taxes could lead to a major reorganization of Indiana's local governments. Reorganization is recommended by a report ... (read more)
St. Louis County Pulls Planned Sales Tax Hike from February Ballot
Less than one month after voting to put a 200 percent sales tax increase on the February 5 ballot, the St. Louis (Missouri) County Council voted to remove ... (read more)
Less than one month after voting to put a 200 percent sales tax increase on the February 5 ballot, the St. Louis (Missouri) County Council voted to remove ... (read more)
States' Fiscal Conditions Are Getting Shakier
Though most states experienced strong revenue growth during the past fiscal year, expected revenue declines and spending pressures could leave many states ... (read more)
Though most states experienced strong revenue growth during the past fiscal year, expected revenue declines and spending pressures could leave many states ... (read more)
Supreme Court Backs Railroad, Throws Out Tax Assessment
In a decision establishing stronger protection for railroads from discriminatory state taxes, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of CSX Transportation, ... (read more)
In a decision establishing stronger protection for railroads from discriminatory state taxes, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of CSX Transportation, ... (read more)
Taxpayer Choice Act a Less-than-Ideal Alternative to AMT
Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI), a member of the House Budget Committee, has weighed in on the debate to end the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). Ryan's bill ... (read more)
Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI), a member of the House Budget Committee, has weighed in on the debate to end the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). Ryan's bill ... (read more)
Taxpayer Revolt, Rebel Commissioners Stave Off Cook County Tax Hikes
Complaints from thousands of angry taxpayers and infighting among county commissioners have held off nearly $890 million of proposed tax and fee hikes in ... (read more)
Complaints from thousands of angry taxpayers and infighting among county commissioners have held off nearly $890 million of proposed tax and fee hikes in ... (read more)
The Michigan Diaspora--State Policies Drive Out Residents, Jobs
Michigan residents continue to flee the Great Lake State and are doing so at a near-record rate, according to one vital measure. A leading indicator ... (read more)
Michigan residents continue to flee the Great Lake State and are doing so at a near-record rate, according to one vital measure. A leading indicator ... (read more)