Budget and Tax News Back Issues - Click on an Issue to see Articles from that Issue
Budget & Tax News
January 2007
'Project Labor Agreements' Send Construction Costs Soaring
Government agencies across the country are being pressured by building trades unions to sign "project labor agreements" on public works construction projects. A ... (read more)
Government agencies across the country are being pressured by building trades unions to sign "project labor agreements" on public works construction projects. A ... (read more)
AMA Drops Call for Soft Drinks Tax
The American Medical Association (AMA) has backed away from a proposed resolution calling for states and the federal government to levy special taxes on ... (read more)
The American Medical Association (AMA) has backed away from a proposed resolution calling for states and the federal government to levy special taxes on ... (read more)
Election Roundup
CALIFORNIA OIL PRODUCTION TAX DEFEATED By a 55 percent to 45 percent vote, voters in California rejected Proposition 87, a measure that sought to reduce ... (read more)
CALIFORNIA OIL PRODUCTION TAX DEFEATED By a 55 percent to 45 percent vote, voters in California rejected Proposition 87, a measure that sought to reduce ... (read more)
Electricity Deregulation Hailed as a Success in Texas
As of January 1, most retail prices for electricity in Texas will be completely deregulated, solidifying the state as the national leader in deregulating ... (read more)
As of January 1, most retail prices for electricity in Texas will be completely deregulated, solidifying the state as the national leader in deregulating ... (read more)
January 2007 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
The January 2007 issue of Budget & Tax News reports on a wide range of election results, including page 1 coverage of property rights initiatives (overwhelmingly ... (read more)
The January 2007 issue of Budget & Tax News reports on a wide range of election results, including page 1 coverage of property rights initiatives (overwhelmingly ... (read more)
Local Institutions, Attitudes Crucial to Small Businesses: NFIB Poll
Small business owners consider local institutions and attitudes toward enterprise to be key factors contributing to a small firm's success, according to ... (read more)
Small business owners consider local institutions and attitudes toward enterprise to be key factors contributing to a small firm's success, according to ... (read more)
Long-Term Structural Deficit Imperils Maryland Budget
Despite projections of steady economic and revenue growth, Maryland leaders will soon have to come to grips with a long-term structural budget deficit in ... (read more)
Despite projections of steady economic and revenue growth, Maryland leaders will soon have to come to grips with a long-term structural budget deficit in ... (read more)
Minneapolis Busts Taxi Cartel
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) has signed reforms to the city's taxi ordinance that remove the government-imposed cap on the number ... (read more)
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) has signed reforms to the city's taxi ordinance that remove the government-imposed cap on the number ... (read more)
Minneapolis Taxi Reform Knocks Down Three Hurdles
Until the reform law's passage, three nearly insurmountable government-imposed hurdles stood in the way of operating any taxi business in the City of Minneapolis: 1) ... (read more)
Until the reform law's passage, three nearly insurmountable government-imposed hurdles stood in the way of operating any taxi business in the City of Minneapolis: 1) ... (read more)
Nonprofit Legal Services Corporation Lives Large on Taxpayer Dollars
Free legal help is getting more expensive for taxpayers, and much of the money is going to waste. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC), which received ... (read more)
Free legal help is getting more expensive for taxpayers, and much of the money is going to waste. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC), which received ... (read more)
Nonsmokers Benefit from Smokers
Some economists note that any health care cost imposed on society by smokeless tobacco or any other product is technically a transfer that has been created ... (read more)
Some economists note that any health care cost imposed on society by smokeless tobacco or any other product is technically a transfer that has been created ... (read more)
Organized Labor Supports Democrats with Biggest Voter Mobilization Ever
The labor movement geared up for its "biggest political blitz ever" in the November 2006 elections, according to the Capital Research Center. The AFL-CIO ... (read more)
The labor movement geared up for its "biggest political blitz ever" in the November 2006 elections, according to the Capital Research Center. The AFL-CIO ... (read more)
Property Rights Initiatives Win in Landslides
Besides Democrats and anyone hoping for gridlock in Washington, the big midterm election winners were homeowners in the nine states that passed initiatives ... (read more)
Besides Democrats and anyone hoping for gridlock in Washington, the big midterm election winners were homeowners in the nine states that passed initiatives ... (read more)
Proposed Spending Limit Fails in Pennsylvania
What had seemed a promising effort to limit state spending growth in Pennsylvania fell short in the 2005-06 session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. ... (read more)
What had seemed a promising effort to limit state spending growth in Pennsylvania fell short in the 2005-06 session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. ... (read more)
Railroad Seeks $2.3 Billion Federal Loan
Sen. John Thune (R-SD) has added language to a federal railroad bill to enable the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad Corporation to secure a $2.3 billion ... (read more)
Sen. John Thune (R-SD) has added language to a federal railroad bill to enable the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad Corporation to secure a $2.3 billion ... (read more)
Targeted Incentives Hinder Economy
Despite Pennsylvania's poor economic record, many elected officials say they support economic development by targeting select businesses for taxpayer-financed ... (read more)
Despite Pennsylvania's poor economic record, many elected officials say they support economic development by targeting select businesses for taxpayer-financed ... (read more)
Tax Code Became More Progressive in 2000-2004, IRS Data Show
New IRS data published for tax year 2004 show the code was more progressive in 2004 than it was in 2000. That trend also sheds light on the surge of revenue ... (read more)
New IRS data published for tax year 2004 show the code was more progressive in 2004 than it was in 2000. That trend also sheds light on the surge of revenue ... (read more)
Taxes on Smokeless Tobacco Unfair, Ineffective
In recent years, controversy in many state legislatures has erupted over the right way to tax smokeless tobacco. Even though the federal government taxes ... (read more)
In recent years, controversy in many state legislatures has erupted over the right way to tax smokeless tobacco. Even though the federal government taxes ... (read more)
Taxes, Fees Increase Illinois Electricity Prices
As Illinois politicians, citizens, and power companies across the state spar over whether to extend a nine-year freeze on electricity rates that is set ... (read more)
As Illinois politicians, citizens, and power companies across the state spar over whether to extend a nine-year freeze on electricity rates that is set ... (read more)
U.S. Benefits from International Tax Competition
The beneficial effects of international tax competition continue, 25 years after President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of Great Britain ... (read more)
The beneficial effects of international tax competition continue, 25 years after President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of Great Britain ... (read more)
Unfunded State and Local Government Health Costs Reach $1.4 Trillion
State and local government retiree health benefits are underfunded by $1.4 trillion nationwide, according to our review of data for 27 jurisdictions. This ... (read more)
State and local government retiree health benefits are underfunded by $1.4 trillion nationwide, according to our review of data for 27 jurisdictions. This ... (read more)
Voters Reject Spending Caps
Voters in Maine, Nebraska, and Oregon unequivocally rejected proposals on their November 7 ballots to restrict growth in state government spending. By ... (read more)
Voters in Maine, Nebraska, and Oregon unequivocally rejected proposals on their November 7 ballots to restrict growth in state government spending. By ... (read more)
Washington State Begins to Explore Private Sponsorship of Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is considering a draft proposal that would permit limited private "sponsorship" of state parks. The ... (read more)
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is considering a draft proposal that would permit limited private "sponsorship" of state parks. The ... (read more)
Who's Really Behind the Anti-Wal-Mart Campaign?
"To be honest, not to toot my own horn, but ACORN was really and turely [sic] the back bone of the ordinance. We did most of the organizing and turn out." ... (read more)
"To be honest, not to toot my own horn, but ACORN was really and turely [sic] the back bone of the ordinance. We did most of the organizing and turn out." ... (read more)