Budget and Tax News Back Issues - Click on an Issue to see Articles from that Issue
Budget & Tax News
August 2005
'Welcome Vindication' or 'Liberty Is Lost'?
Newspapers, talk radio shows, and weblogs that track legal rulings were abuzz after the Supreme Court's ruling in Kelo v. New London, Connecticut. The day ... (read more)
Newspapers, talk radio shows, and weblogs that track legal rulings were abuzz after the Supreme Court's ruling in Kelo v. New London, Connecticut. The day ... (read more)
Are Cigarette Taxes Becoming Obsolete?
Excise taxes originated centuries ago when governments were small, life was local, its pace was slow, and "capital" referred to bulky and heavy objects. ... (read more)
Excise taxes originated centuries ago when governments were small, life was local, its pace was slow, and "capital" referred to bulky and heavy objects. ... (read more)
August 2005 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
More than one million Oklahoma taxpayers will receive tax rebates later this year, thanks to a historic tax cut measure signed by the governor on June 8 ... (read more)
More than one million Oklahoma taxpayers will receive tax rebates later this year, thanks to a historic tax cut measure signed by the governor on June 8 ... (read more)
Congressional Energy Bills Pump Ethanol, Billions in Tax Breaks
U.S. motorists will be required by the federal government to sharply increase their use of the corn-based gasoline additive ethanol in the coming years. ... (read more)
U.S. motorists will be required by the federal government to sharply increase their use of the corn-based gasoline additive ethanol in the coming years. ... (read more)
Court Says 'Public Purpose' Trumps Private Property Rights
Our home may be our castle, but our castle may come under siege as a result of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows local governments to take property ... (read more)
Our home may be our castle, but our castle may come under siege as a result of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows local governments to take property ... (read more)
Ethanol Deal Controversial
In a July 3 column in the Chicago Sun-Times, syndicated columnist Robert Novak reported the CAFTA agreement won Senate approval after closed-door briefings ... (read more)
In a July 3 column in the Chicago Sun-Times, syndicated columnist Robert Novak reported the CAFTA agreement won Senate approval after closed-door briefings ... (read more)
Heartland Experts React to Eminent Domain Ruling
Because of the significance of the Supreme Court's ruling in Kelo v. New London, several representatives of The Heartland Institute issued statements presenting ... (read more)
Because of the significance of the Supreme Court's ruling in Kelo v. New London, several representatives of The Heartland Institute issued statements presenting ... (read more)
Indiana Launches Regional Development Effort
Indiana has created a Regional Development Authority for the northwest corner of the state, allowing local officials to raise taxes for redevelopment of ... (read more)
Indiana has created a Regional Development Authority for the northwest corner of the state, allowing local officials to raise taxes for redevelopment of ... (read more)
Iowa, Illinois Economic Performance Diverging Sharply
The Mississippi River is not the only thing that separates Iowa from Illinois. So does Iowa's economic performance. New U.S. government statistics show ... (read more)
The Mississippi River is not the only thing that separates Iowa from Illinois. So does Iowa's economic performance. New U.S. government statistics show ... (read more)
Justice's House Targeted for Development
Supreme Court Justice David Souter's house could be seized to build a hotel, if a property rights advocate whose "phone has been ringing off the hook with ... (read more)
Supreme Court Justice David Souter's house could be seized to build a hotel, if a property rights advocate whose "phone has been ringing off the hook with ... (read more)
Kansas Schools Get Budget Boost
Kansas lawmakers, under threat the state’s high court would close down the state’s public education system, have given public schools even more money than ... (read more)
Kansas lawmakers, under threat the state’s high court would close down the state’s public education system, have given public schools even more money than ... (read more)
Lawsuit Filed to Block North Carolina Tax 'Giveaways'
A former North Carolina Supreme Court Justice has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a $280 million tax incentive package granted to Dell ... (read more)
A former North Carolina Supreme Court Justice has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a $280 million tax incentive package granted to Dell ... (read more)
Low-Tax Loss Leader Goes Up in Smoke
If the North Carolina budget becomes law, the Tar Heel State will no longer enjoy the lowest cigarette taxes in the nation, probably leading many shoppers ... (read more)
If the North Carolina budget becomes law, the Tar Heel State will no longer enjoy the lowest cigarette taxes in the nation, probably leading many shoppers ... (read more)
NC Taxpayers Cry Foul Over Budget Tactics
Tax watchdog groups are denouncing how North Carolina's House passed a massive new tax increase in the 2005-2007 budget. House members in June passed ... (read more)
Tax watchdog groups are denouncing how North Carolina's House passed a massive new tax increase in the 2005-2007 budget. House members in June passed ... (read more)
New Threat: Transfer Taxes
One other, less welcome, response to rising property taxes from some elected officials has been to bury the heavier burdens elsewhere. The revenue-raiser ... (read more)
One other, less welcome, response to rising property taxes from some elected officials has been to bury the heavier burdens elsewhere. The revenue-raiser ... (read more)
OECD Draws Criticism for Tax Positions
The Center for Freedom and Prosperity Foundation, Coalition for Tax Competition, and tax policy experts condemned the Organization for Economic Cooperation ... (read more)
The Center for Freedom and Prosperity Foundation, Coalition for Tax Competition, and tax policy experts condemned the Organization for Economic Cooperation ... (read more)
Okies Enjoy Largest Tax Cut in State History
More than one million Oklahoma taxpayers will receive tax rebates later this year, thanks to a historic $150 million tax cut measure passed by the legislature ... (read more)
More than one million Oklahoma taxpayers will receive tax rebates later this year, thanks to a historic $150 million tax cut measure passed by the legislature ... (read more)
Rising Property Taxes Fuel Taxpayer Revolts
Roughly a quarter-century has passed since Proposition 13 in California and Proposition 2-1/2 in Massachusetts touched off a coast-to-coast wave of public ... (read more)
Roughly a quarter-century has passed since Proposition 13 in California and Proposition 2-1/2 in Massachusetts touched off a coast-to-coast wave of public ... (read more)
Senate Okays CAFTA
The U.S. Senate on June 30 approved the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), but final approval depends on action in the House, where opponents ... (read more)
The U.S. Senate on June 30 approved the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), but final approval depends on action in the House, where opponents ... (read more)
Skeptics Express Doubts about RDA
Many outside state or local government are skeptical of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority. Gambling Money Disappears In a May 5 ... (read more)
Many outside state or local government are skeptical of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority. Gambling Money Disappears In a May 5 ... (read more)
State Taxes Hit Telecom Services Doubly Hard
State and local taxes imposed on telecommunications services continue to be more than double the average tax levied on general business, according to a ... (read more)
State and local taxes imposed on telecommunications services continue to be more than double the average tax levied on general business, according to a ... (read more)
Tax Protester Criminal Case Sure to Cause Confusion
Joe Banister is a former special agent with the Internal Revenue Service. As a special agent, his chief function was to conduct investigations into alleged ... (read more)
Joe Banister is a former special agent with the Internal Revenue Service. As a special agent, his chief function was to conduct investigations into alleged ... (read more)
Tennessee Governor Vetoes Cigarette Tax Hikes
Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) vetoed legislation in June that would have increased taxes on off-brand cigarettes. In a June 20 letter to Sen. John ... (read more)
Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) vetoed legislation in June that would have increased taxes on off-brand cigarettes. In a June 20 letter to Sen. John ... (read more)