Budget and Tax News Back Issues - Click on an Issue to see Articles from that Issue
Budget & Tax News
January 2004
Congress Shows Little Interest in Budget-Cutting Measures
According to the latest BillTally study released in late November by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF), just 26 members of the 107th Congress ... (read more)
According to the latest BillTally study released in late November by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF), just 26 members of the 107th Congress ... (read more)
Farm Group Calls for Permanent Repeal of Death Tax
In a November 6 statement to the U.S. Treasury Department, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) tax specialist Pat Wolff testified her organization ... (read more)
In a November 6 statement to the U.S. Treasury Department, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) tax specialist Pat Wolff testified her organization ... (read more)
Five Ways to Spend Less on Higher Education
On October 21, 2003, the College Board once again documented the widespread impression that college costs are spiraling wildly out of control. In the ... (read more)
On October 21, 2003, the College Board once again documented the widespread impression that college costs are spiraling wildly out of control. In the ... (read more)
Flat Tax Benefits for Iraq
The flat tax measure, predicts Daniel J. Mitchell in a November 10 commentary for The Heritage Foundation, will reap the following significant positive ... (read more)
The flat tax measure, predicts Daniel J. Mitchell in a November 10 commentary for The Heritage Foundation, will reap the following significant positive ... (read more)
GOP Abandons Conservatives
The Medicare prescription drug bill passed by Congress in late November may prove to be a watershed event for political conservatives in America. This ... (read more)
The Medicare prescription drug bill passed by Congress in late November may prove to be a watershed event for political conservatives in America. This ... (read more)
House Republicans Make Stand on Medicare
When the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the Medicare bill on November 22, 25 principled Republicans voted “no.” Despite overwhelming ... (read more)
When the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the Medicare bill on November 22, 25 principled Republicans voted “no.” Despite overwhelming ... (read more)
Iraq to Receive Flat Tax in 2004
The citizens of Iraq will receive a tax reform gift in 2004, compliments of the U.S. government. “That’s because the Iraqis will enjoy something we ... (read more)
The citizens of Iraq will receive a tax reform gift in 2004, compliments of the U.S. government. “That’s because the Iraqis will enjoy something we ... (read more)
IRS to Audit NEA
According to a November 24 news release from the Landmark Legal Foundation, “the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has launched an investigation into whether ... (read more)
According to a November 24 news release from the Landmark Legal Foundation, “the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has launched an investigation into whether ... (read more)
January 2004 Budget & Tax News (pdf)
The January 2004 issue of Budget & Tax News analyzes the December passage of landmark Medicare reform legislation from the perspective of budget and tax ... (read more)
The January 2004 issue of Budget & Tax News analyzes the December passage of landmark Medicare reform legislation from the perspective of budget and tax ... (read more)
Judge Orders Billion-Dollar Tax Hike in Kansas
In a December 2 ruling sure to haunt the governor and lawmakers in the 2004 legislative session, a Topeka judge declared the Kansas school finance system ... (read more)
In a December 2 ruling sure to haunt the governor and lawmakers in the 2004 legislative session, a Topeka judge declared the Kansas school finance system ... (read more)
Kansas Struggles with Streamlined Tax
In November 2003, a delegation of eight Kansas legislators attended the Streamlined Sales Tax System’s Scottsdale, Arizona meeting seeking help to correct ... (read more)
In November 2003, a delegation of eight Kansas legislators attended the Streamlined Sales Tax System’s Scottsdale, Arizona meeting seeking help to correct ... (read more)
Key Dates in Kansas School Finance History
November 8, 1966: Voters approve a constitutional amendment establishing a 10-member State Board of Education having “general supervision” over public ... (read more)
November 8, 1966: Voters approve a constitutional amendment establishing a 10-member State Board of Education having “general supervision” over public ... (read more)
Massachusetts Ends Ban on Sunday Liquor Sales
With the stroke of a pen on November 26, Governor Mitt Romney brought the Puritan State into the twenty-first century, striking down the state’s ban on ... (read more)
With the stroke of a pen on November 26, Governor Mitt Romney brought the Puritan State into the twenty-first century, striking down the state’s ban on ... (read more)
Michigan Poll Finds Support for Smaller Government
With their state government facing a potential $1 billion deficit, Michigan taxpayers want lawmakers to balance the budget with spending cuts rather than ... (read more)
With their state government facing a potential $1 billion deficit, Michigan taxpayers want lawmakers to balance the budget with spending cuts rather than ... (read more)
President Signs 'Budget-Busting' Medicare Reform
After months of Congressional debate, President George W. Bush on December 8 signed a Medicare reform measure expected to increase spending on the program ... (read more)
After months of Congressional debate, President George W. Bush on December 8 signed a Medicare reform measure expected to increase spending on the program ... (read more)
Schwarzenegger Recovery Plan on March Ballot
On December 12, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation, passed by the state senate earlier that day, putting his economic recovery plan before ... (read more)
On December 12, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation, passed by the state senate earlier that day, putting his economic recovery plan before ... (read more)
Senate Passes Bill to Capture Illegal Cigarette Sales
The U.S. Senate passed on December 9 a bill (S. 1177) intended to curtail illegal cigarette trafficking and strengthen enforcement of cigarette tax collection ... (read more)
The U.S. Senate passed on December 9 a bill (S. 1177) intended to curtail illegal cigarette trafficking and strengthen enforcement of cigarette tax collection ... (read more)
SSA Admits Private Plans Will Work
A December 1 memorandum from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to a renowned policy analyst marked the first time SSA has officially admitted private ... (read more)
A December 1 memorandum from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to a renowned policy analyst marked the first time SSA has officially admitted private ... (read more)
State Budget Problems Lead to Renewed Interest in TELs
Thoughtful leaders in many states are fed up with the fiscal roller coaster they have experienced during the past decade and want to smooth out the ride. ... (read more)
Thoughtful leaders in many states are fed up with the fiscal roller coaster they have experienced during the past decade and want to smooth out the ride. ... (read more)
State Fiscal Prospects Looking Up, NGA Says
A year ago, the National Governors Association (NGA) said states were mired in their worst budget crisis since World War II. Now, the NGA says the crisis ... (read more)
A year ago, the National Governors Association (NGA) said states were mired in their worst budget crisis since World War II. Now, the NGA says the crisis ... (read more)
Tax Law Discourages Companies from Bringing Home Foreign Income
The United States has the second highest corporate tax rate in the 30-member Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The result ... (read more)
The United States has the second highest corporate tax rate in the 30-member Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The result ... (read more)
Tax Repeal Referendum Makes Ballot in Oregon
Oregon voters have launched an effort to repeal an income tax surcharge passed by the Oregon Legislative Assembly in mid-2003, scheduled to take effect ... (read more)
Oregon voters have launched an effort to repeal an income tax surcharge passed by the Oregon Legislative Assembly in mid-2003, scheduled to take effect ... (read more)
Taxpayer Group Blasts Effort to Kill Internet Tax Moratorium
The U.S. Senate adjourned for the year without voting on S. 150, the Internet Tax Non-Discrimination Act. Noting Internet taxes impose an “immense burden” ... (read more)
The U.S. Senate adjourned for the year without voting on S. 150, the Internet Tax Non-Discrimination Act. Noting Internet taxes impose an “immense burden” ... (read more)
Taxpayer Group Sees Promise in State Governors
Although California lawmakers would not themselves approve Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s economic recovery proposal, they have agreed to allow Schwarzenegger ... (read more)
Although California lawmakers would not themselves approve Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s economic recovery proposal, they have agreed to allow Schwarzenegger ... (read more)
The Flat Tax
Current plans for a flat tax are usually based on a plan introduced in 1981 by economists Robert E. Hall and Alvin Rabushka of the Hoover Institution at ... (read more)
Current plans for a flat tax are usually based on a plan introduced in 1981 by economists Robert E. Hall and Alvin Rabushka of the Hoover Institution at ... (read more)
What Exactly Is Medicare?
Medicare was established in 1965 to provide health care insurance to individuals age 65 and over. The program was expanded over the years to include disabled ... (read more)
Medicare was established in 1965 to provide health care insurance to individuals age 65 and over. The program was expanded over the years to include disabled ... (read more)
Why Gates’ Dad Is Wrong on the Death Tax
So Bill Gates Sr. has decided that all Americans should pay estate taxes. He’s even written a book, Why America Should Tax Accumulated Fortunes. Hey, ... (read more)
So Bill Gates Sr. has decided that all Americans should pay estate taxes. He’s even written a book, Why America Should Tax Accumulated Fortunes. Hey, ... (read more)