Budget and Tax News Back Issues - Click on an Issue to see Articles from that Issue
Budget & Tax News
May 2004
California Proposition 56
Official Title and Summary Prepared by the Attorney General State Budget, Related Taxes, and Reserve. Voting Requirements. Penalties. Initiative Constitutional ... (read more)
Official Title and Summary Prepared by the Attorney General State Budget, Related Taxes, and Reserve. Voting Requirements. Penalties. Initiative Constitutional ... (read more)
California Taxpayers Rout Prop 56
On March 2, California voters soundly rejected Proposition 56--a proposal opponents said would make it easier for state policymakers to spend more and increase ... (read more)
On March 2, California voters soundly rejected Proposition 56--a proposal opponents said would make it easier for state policymakers to spend more and increase ... (read more)
Chicago Considers Privatizing Toll Road Linked to Indiana
The Chicago Sun-Times and other local media outlets reported on March 2 that the city-owned Chicago Skyway toll road may be sold to a private operator. "Two ... (read more)
The Chicago Sun-Times and other local media outlets reported on March 2 that the city-owned Chicago Skyway toll road may be sold to a private operator. "Two ... (read more)
Chicago Skyway
The Chicago Skyway is the only toll highway in Illinois that is not operated by the Illinois Toll Highway Authority. It is operated and maintained by the ... (read more)
The Chicago Skyway is the only toll highway in Illinois that is not operated by the Illinois Toll Highway Authority. It is operated and maintained by the ... (read more)
Federal Deregulation Could Cut Gas Prices
Everyone knows the recent rise in the price of oil has had an effect at the pump, but something less well known is also affecting gasoline prices. It is ... (read more)
Everyone knows the recent rise in the price of oil has had an effect at the pump, but something less well known is also affecting gasoline prices. It is ... (read more)
Florida Reforming Its Privatization Efforts
On March 11, Florida Governor Jeb Bush signed an executive order directing the state's Department of Management Services to create a "center of excellence" ... (read more)
On March 11, Florida Governor Jeb Bush signed an executive order directing the state's Department of Management Services to create a "center of excellence" ... (read more)
Group Offers Weight Loss Plan for Federal Budget
The federal budget could easily slim down with a workout in the gym of spending cuts and continued economic growth, according to a nine-step weight loss ... (read more)
The federal budget could easily slim down with a workout in the gym of spending cuts and continued economic growth, according to a nine-step weight loss ... (read more)
How to Reduce Revenue Instability
The proponents of new or different taxes in Oregon claim the income tax is "unstable because it produces excess revenue in boom times and shows sharp declines ... (read more)
The proponents of new or different taxes in Oregon claim the income tax is "unstable because it produces excess revenue in boom times and shows sharp declines ... (read more)
Kansas Fiscal Battle Continues
Elected officials in Kansas have spent the first months of the 2004 session trying to put the state's fiscal house in order. As of this writing, no end ... (read more)
Elected officials in Kansas have spent the first months of the 2004 session trying to put the state's fiscal house in order. As of this writing, no end ... (read more)
Kansas Lawmakers Reject School Finance Myths
On March 11, the Kansas House of Representatives rejected a $1 billion tax hike proposal for financing the Shawnee Mission school district, which has the ... (read more)
On March 11, the Kansas House of Representatives rejected a $1 billion tax hike proposal for financing the Shawnee Mission school district, which has the ... (read more)
Kentucky Governor Unveils Tax Reform Plan
Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher unveiled a far-reaching "tax modernization plan" during a news conference on March 11 in Frankfort. The plan reduces marginal ... (read more)
Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher unveiled a far-reaching "tax modernization plan" during a news conference on March 11 in Frankfort. The plan reduces marginal ... (read more)
Knowing Why Deficit Will Be Up Doesn't Take Surplus of Brains
Every Presidential election year has its economic themes. In 1992, James Carville famously coined the expression, "It's the economy, stupid!" I'd like to ... (read more)
Every Presidential election year has its economic themes. In 1992, James Carville famously coined the expression, "It's the economy, stupid!" I'd like to ... (read more)
Letter to the Honorable John Snow
March 18, 2004 The Honorable John Snow Secretary U.S. Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20220 Dear Secretary ... (read more)
March 18, 2004 The Honorable John Snow Secretary U.S. Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20220 Dear Secretary ... (read more)
Maine Taxpayers Favor Property Tax Cap
In a recent statewide poll, a majority of Maine taxpayers expressed support for a statewide mandate to cap local property taxes. A referendum on the ballot ... (read more)
In a recent statewide poll, a majority of Maine taxpayers expressed support for a statewide mandate to cap local property taxes. A referendum on the ballot ... (read more)
May 2004 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
Leading the May issue of Budget & Tax News is a report from California, where voters overwhelmingly defeated a proposal that would have lifted the state’s ... (read more)
Leading the May issue of Budget & Tax News is a report from California, where voters overwhelmingly defeated a proposal that would have lifted the state’s ... (read more)
Medicare Will Be Bankrupt by 2019
Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW)--the 20-year-old watchdog group dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government--on ... (read more)
Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW)--the 20-year-old watchdog group dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government--on ... (read more)
NFIB Praises Senator Nickles for Death Tax Repeal Effort
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) on March 8 praised U.S. Senator Don Nickles (R-Oklahoma) for including in the Senate's 2005 budget ... (read more)
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) on March 8 praised U.S. Senator Don Nickles (R-Oklahoma) for including in the Senate's 2005 budget ... (read more)
Oklahoma Governor Signs $5.3 Billion Spending Bill
While Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry has signed a $5.3 billion spending bill that appropriates funds for the fiscal year beginning July 1, the tax and spending ... (read more)
While Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry has signed a $5.3 billion spending bill that appropriates funds for the fiscal year beginning July 1, the tax and spending ... (read more)
Poll Shows Ohioans Favor Spending Restraint, Oppose Tax Increases
Ohio citizens believe the state is going in the wrong direction, and economic concerns trump other issues, according to poll results released on February ... (read more)
Ohio citizens believe the state is going in the wrong direction, and economic concerns trump other issues, according to poll results released on February ... (read more)
Poll: 61% Support Abolishing Death Tax
A large majority of Americans believe the estate tax, also known as the "death tax," should be permanently repealed, according to a new survey released ... (read more)
A large majority of Americans believe the estate tax, also known as the "death tax," should be permanently repealed, according to a new survey released ... (read more)
Putting Taxpayers First
1. Eliminate unnecessary and wasteful programs. The federal budget currently consists of several thousand line item agencies, bureaus, offices, and grant ... (read more)
1. Eliminate unnecessary and wasteful programs. The federal budget currently consists of several thousand line item agencies, bureaus, offices, and grant ... (read more)
Reps Warn Foreign Capital Will Leave if IRS Regulation Is Not Withdrawn
Led by Rep. Mark Green (R-Wisconsin), a member of the House Banking and Financial Services Committee, 28 members of the U.S. House of Representatives wrote ... (read more)
Led by Rep. Mark Green (R-Wisconsin), a member of the House Banking and Financial Services Committee, 28 members of the U.S. House of Representatives wrote ... (read more)
Smokers Oppose Kentucky Governor's Tax Plan
Reporter Kate Scott of KFVS Channel 12 in Kentucky got an earful from Bluegrass State smokers when she asked how they felt about Governor Ernie Fletcher's ... (read more)
Reporter Kate Scott of KFVS Channel 12 in Kentucky got an earful from Bluegrass State smokers when she asked how they felt about Governor Ernie Fletcher's ... (read more)
States Spend Tobacco Settlement on Budget Shortfalls
More than half (54 percent) of the funds states will receive this year from companies bound by the 1998 tobacco settlement will be spent patching state ... (read more)
More than half (54 percent) of the funds states will receive this year from companies bound by the 1998 tobacco settlement will be spent patching state ... (read more)
Trade War with European Union Heats Up
On March 1, the European Union imposed an estimated $300 million in trade sanctions against the United States for Congress's failure to repeal the Foreign ... (read more)
On March 1, the European Union imposed an estimated $300 million in trade sanctions against the United States for Congress's failure to repeal the Foreign ... (read more)
Treasury Secretary Says Make Tax Cuts Permanent
On March 25, U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow hailed President George W. Bush's tax cuts in an essay published by Newsday.com. "Thanks to the actions ... (read more)
On March 25, U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow hailed President George W. Bush's tax cuts in an essay published by Newsday.com. "Thanks to the actions ... (read more)