Budget and Tax News Back Issues - Click on an Issue to see Articles from that Issue
Budget & Tax News
April 2008
'Cellphone Users' Bill of Rights' Bad for Arizonans
As the Arizona Legislature headed back into session in early January, a package of three "bills of rights" was introduced, purportedly to protect three ... (read more)
As the Arizona Legislature headed back into session in early January, a package of three "bills of rights" was introduced, purportedly to protect three ... (read more)
Alaska Is Latest of Several States to Post Government Spending Online
Alaska has become the latest in a string of states to boost government spending transparency by posting information online. Gov. Sarah Palin (R) has ... (read more)
Alaska has become the latest in a string of states to boost government spending transparency by posting information online. Gov. Sarah Palin (R) has ... (read more)
April 2008 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
The April 2008 issue of Budget & Tax News offers two contrasting approaches to property tax reform: in Florida, where a constitutional amendment aimed at ... (read more)
The April 2008 issue of Budget & Tax News offers two contrasting approaches to property tax reform: in Florida, where a constitutional amendment aimed at ... (read more)
British Columbia Reforms Provide School Finance, Assessment Model
As taxpayers and state and local officials across the country struggle with property tax issues, one place they can look for a solution is British Columbia, ... (read more)
As taxpayers and state and local officials across the country struggle with property tax issues, one place they can look for a solution is British Columbia, ... (read more)
Burdensome Regulations Kill Kentucky's Bid for New Business
The State of Kentucky recently learned economic development wars between states aren't just about tax incentives. A burdensome regulatory climate can often ... (read more)
The State of Kentucky recently learned economic development wars between states aren't just about tax incentives. A burdensome regulatory climate can often ... (read more)
Bush Offers Record Budget of More than $3 Trillion
One sign of how rapidly government spending has been growing in recent years is the $3.1 trillion federal budget President George W. Bush introduced in ... (read more)
One sign of how rapidly government spending has been growing in recent years is the $3.1 trillion federal budget President George W. Bush introduced in ... (read more)
California Senate Kills $15 Billion Health Insurance Plan
A California Senate committee has rejected Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to provide government-controlled health insurance to millions more of California's ... (read more)
A California Senate committee has rejected Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to provide government-controlled health insurance to millions more of California's ... (read more)
Chicago Taxes Jump $530 Million to Pay for Mass Transit
A year after Illinois lawmakers began discussing a plan to bail out the Chicago region's mass transit system, the final piece of the plan fell into place. The ... (read more)
A year after Illinois lawmakers began discussing a plan to bail out the Chicago region's mass transit system, the final piece of the plan fell into place. The ... (read more)
Cigars Would Be Cigarettes; Hard Lemonade a Distilled Spirit
To raise more revenue, New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) proposes redefining little cigars as cigarettes and "hard" lemonade and other flavored alcohol drinks ... (read more)
To raise more revenue, New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) proposes redefining little cigars as cigarettes and "hard" lemonade and other flavored alcohol drinks ... (read more)
Constitutional Amendment May End Property Tax Reform in Florida
Tax reform advocates warn that Amendment 1, a property tax reform proposal passed by Florida voters and now a part of the state's constitution, may actually ... (read more)
Tax reform advocates warn that Amendment 1, a property tax reform proposal passed by Florida voters and now a part of the state's constitution, may actually ... (read more)
Corporate Income Tax Rates in the U.S. Are Among the Highest in the World
Amid growing concerns about U.S. economic competitiveness, policymakers are awakening to the fact that America has one of the world's most inefficient corporate ... (read more)
Amid growing concerns about U.S. economic competitiveness, policymakers are awakening to the fact that America has one of the world's most inefficient corporate ... (read more)
Crime Concerns Spur St. Louis Sales Tax Hike
Voters in St. Louis have approved a half-cent sales tax increase to fund firefighter and police pensions and place more police officers on the streets. Proposition ... (read more)
Voters in St. Louis have approved a half-cent sales tax increase to fund firefighter and police pensions and place more police officers on the streets. Proposition ... (read more)
Dismay Greets New York's $124 Billion Budget Plan
Taxpayer advocates, business groups, and local government officials are speaking out against New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's (D) proposed budget, which would ... (read more)
Taxpayer advocates, business groups, and local government officials are speaking out against New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's (D) proposed budget, which would ... (read more)
Five Years After Merger, Two Wisconsin Towns' Firefighters Are 'One Department, Fully Involved'
Len VanderWyst never doubted that a fire service merger between Neenah and Menasha would be successful, though there were doubts it would come to pass. Now, ... (read more)
Len VanderWyst never doubted that a fire service merger between Neenah and Menasha would be successful, though there were doubts it would come to pass. Now, ... (read more)
Highway Tolls Key to New Jersey Debt, Spending Reform Plan
In his January State of the State address, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) unveiled a long-awaited plan to capture the value of the state's toll roads. The ... (read more)
In his January State of the State address, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) unveiled a long-awaited plan to capture the value of the state's toll roads. The ... (read more)
Iowa Takes Up Transportation Finance Reform
In December, the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) issued its "Study of Iowa's Current Road Use Tax Funds (RUTF) and Future Road Maintenance and ... (read more)
In December, the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) issued its "Study of Iowa's Current Road Use Tax Funds (RUTF) and Future Road Maintenance and ... (read more)
Kansas Legislators Urged to Reject Carbon Tax Plan
Republican legislative leaders in Kansas introduced a measure to impsoe the nation's first carbon tax as a provision of a comprehensive energy bill. The ... (read more)
Republican legislative leaders in Kansas introduced a measure to impsoe the nation's first carbon tax as a provision of a comprehensive energy bill. The ... (read more)
Kentucky Town Imposes Special Fines on Out-of-Town Drivers in Accidents
Erlanger, Kentucky Police Chief Marc Fields is torn. He's concerned his city's recent decision to start collecting payment from out-of-town drivers at ... (read more)
Erlanger, Kentucky Police Chief Marc Fields is torn. He's concerned his city's recent decision to start collecting payment from out-of-town drivers at ... (read more)
Missouri Bill Would Allow Voters to Cut Tax Rates
Legislation that would permit a fire protection district's board of directors to place a proposed tax rate cut before voters has been introduced in the ... (read more)
Legislation that would permit a fire protection district's board of directors to place a proposed tax rate cut before voters has been introduced in the ... (read more)
Parde Named President of National Taxpayers Union
A face familiar to many Budget & Tax News readers has become the leader of an equally familiar pair of organizations. After an exhaustive search process, ... (read more)
A face familiar to many Budget & Tax News readers has become the leader of an equally familiar pair of organizations. After an exhaustive search process, ... (read more)
States Intensify Assault on Tobacco Use
Smokers are under siege in state legislatures across the country. Virginia, Wisconsin, and other states are considering banning smoking in places that ... (read more)
Smokers are under siege in state legislatures across the country. Virginia, Wisconsin, and other states are considering banning smoking in places that ... (read more)
Tax Hikes Often Fail to Generate Expected Revenues
State lawmakers are increasingly turning to tobacco taxes to balance state budgets and, they say, fund public health programs. The federal government followed ... (read more)
State lawmakers are increasingly turning to tobacco taxes to balance state budgets and, they say, fund public health programs. The federal government followed ... (read more)
Unions Allowed Back Into Utah's Payroll System
Big Labor struck back against Utah's Voluntary Contributions Act by convincing the state's 10th Circuit Court unions have the right to collect political ... (read more)
Big Labor struck back against Utah's Voluntary Contributions Act by convincing the state's 10th Circuit Court unions have the right to collect political ... (read more)