Budget & Tax News
The Heartland Institute's national monthly outreach publication for advocates of lower taxes, balanced budgets, and limited government.
Subscribe by Email Subscribe by Mail Back Issues
Budget & Tax News
August 2007
August 2007 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
The August 2007 issue of Budget & Tax News reports on Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty's use of the veto pen to reject 20 tax hikes and spending increases. Also ... (read more)
The August 2007 issue of Budget & Tax News reports on Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty's use of the veto pen to reject 20 tax hikes and spending increases. Also ... (read more)
Bipartisan Group Works to End Costly Tongass Forest Logging Subsidy
While the nation continues to be burdened with huge federal budget deficits, the U.S. Forest Service is still promoting millions of dollars in taxpayer ... (read more)
While the nation continues to be burdened with huge federal budget deficits, the U.S. Forest Service is still promoting millions of dollars in taxpayer ... (read more)
Charlotte May Vote to Repeal Transit Tax
Citizens of North Carolina's Mecklenburg County will have a chance this November to overturn a special sales tax that funds mass transit. Opponents of ... (read more)
Citizens of North Carolina's Mecklenburg County will have a chance this November to overturn a special sales tax that funds mass transit. Opponents of ... (read more)
Chicago Proposes 401(k) Accounts for Transit Workers
A groundbreaking effort to switch a public employee pension system from a defined benefit plan to a defined contribution plan is underway in Chicago. The ... (read more)
A groundbreaking effort to switch a public employee pension system from a defined benefit plan to a defined contribution plan is underway in Chicago. The ... (read more)
Committee Chairs Soften Stance Against Public-Private Transportation Deals
Two leading Congressional opponents of public-private partnership (PPP) agreements for transportation have backed off earlier criticisms in a June position ... (read more)
Two leading Congressional opponents of public-private partnership (PPP) agreements for transportation have backed off earlier criticisms in a June position ... (read more)
Extent of Government Unionism Varies Greatly
The public sector is the "growth industry" for labor unions, with membership in government employment about five times greater than it is on private payrolls. That's ... (read more)
The public sector is the "growth industry" for labor unions, with membership in government employment about five times greater than it is on private payrolls. That's ... (read more)
Financial Woes Plague Muni Wireless Systems
Municipalities across the country may soon reach a crossroads on whether to proceed with plans to build public wireless networks that encompass entire urban ... (read more)
Municipalities across the country may soon reach a crossroads on whether to proceed with plans to build public wireless networks that encompass entire urban ... (read more)
Government Handouts Represent a Growing Share of Maine Income: Study
More than half the personal income earned in Washington County, Maine comes from government, and only one of Maine's 16 counties has a growing private-sector ... (read more)
More than half the personal income earned in Washington County, Maine comes from government, and only one of Maine's 16 counties has a growing private-sector ... (read more)
Illinois Minimum Wage Hike Is Costing Jobs
In fall 2006, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) signed his second increase in the statewide mandatory minimum wage in five years. The legislation raised ... (read more)
In fall 2006, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) signed his second increase in the statewide mandatory minimum wage in five years. The legislation raised ... (read more)
Kansas Statehouse Remodeling Bill Keeps Soaring
Wasteful spending at the Kansas statehouse is nothing new, but wasteful spending on the statehouse is causing controversy. The building still has the ... (read more)
Wasteful spending at the Kansas statehouse is nothing new, but wasteful spending on the statehouse is causing controversy. The building still has the ... (read more)
Low Taxes, Less Government Make 'Celtic Tiger' Roar
In the past two decades, Ireland has turned from a poverty-stricken economic backwater into the "Celtic Tiger" of Europe. The lessons of Ireland apply ... (read more)
In the past two decades, Ireland has turned from a poverty-stricken economic backwater into the "Celtic Tiger" of Europe. The lessons of Ireland apply ... (read more)
Minnesota Governor Wields Veto to Protect Taxpayers
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) issued 20 full or partial vetoes of tax hikes and spending increases in May, giving taxpayers reason to smile. Despite ... (read more)
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) issued 20 full or partial vetoes of tax hikes and spending increases in May, giving taxpayers reason to smile. Despite ... (read more)
No Tobacco Tax Increase
Dear Senators: On behalf of millions of taxpayers, small businesses, families, senior citizens and shareholders, we strongly urge you to work and vote ... (read more)
Dear Senators: On behalf of millions of taxpayers, small businesses, families, senior citizens and shareholders, we strongly urge you to work and vote ... (read more)
North Carolina Supreme Court Will Decide if Lottery Is Really a Tax
The North Carolina Supreme Court heard oral arguments on May 22 in an appeal of a ruling in a lawsuit that argues the state's education lottery is really ... (read more)
The North Carolina Supreme Court heard oral arguments on May 22 in an appeal of a ruling in a lawsuit that argues the state's education lottery is really ... (read more)
North Carolina Supreme Court Will Decide if Lottery Is Really a Tax
The North Carolina Supreme Court heard oral arguments on May 22 in an appeal of a ruling in a lawsuit that argues the state's education lottery is really ... (read more)
The North Carolina Supreme Court heard oral arguments on May 22 in an appeal of a ruling in a lawsuit that argues the state's education lottery is really ... (read more)
Other Cities Struggle with Wireless
So-called "citywide" free Wi-Fi service is unavailable in 40 percent of the San Francisco Bay area town of Foster City due to poor coverage, the ... (read more)
So-called "citywide" free Wi-Fi service is unavailable in 40 percent of the San Francisco Bay area town of Foster City due to poor coverage, the ... (read more)
Politicians Hand More to Public-Sector Unions
The expansion of public-sector collective bargaining is happening again, this time in New York and Missouri. Following a nationwide trend, the United ... (read more)
The expansion of public-sector collective bargaining is happening again, this time in New York and Missouri. Following a nationwide trend, the United ... (read more)
Schools Spend All They Can Get, Study Shows
In conducting a study to determine whether consolidating school districts would save Michigan taxpayers money, a researcher found evidence showing school ... (read more)
In conducting a study to determine whether consolidating school districts would save Michigan taxpayers money, a researcher found evidence showing school ... (read more)
State Legislators Press for U.S. Immigration Reform
State legislators disappointed with the inability of Congress to agree on immigration reform have formed a new group to fight illegal immigration in the ... (read more)
State legislators disappointed with the inability of Congress to agree on immigration reform have formed a new group to fight illegal immigration in the ... (read more)
Supreme Court Limits Unions' Spending of Dues on Politics
Labor unions must get permission from non-members before using mandatory dues for political purposes, according to a United States Supreme Court ruling ... (read more)
Labor unions must get permission from non-members before using mandatory dues for political purposes, according to a United States Supreme Court ruling ... (read more)
Theme Park Subsidies Take Taxpayers for a Ride
Axiom Entertainment of Rochester, Michigan is eyeing 1,800 acres of state-owned land near Grayling, in north-central Michigan, for a $160 million theme ... (read more)
Axiom Entertainment of Rochester, Michigan is eyeing 1,800 acres of state-owned land near Grayling, in north-central Michigan, for a $160 million theme ... (read more)
Washington Court to Decide if State's Voters Understood 2001 Tax-Cut Vote
The Washington State Supreme Court heard oral arguments in May in the legal battle over voter-approved Initiative 747, which set a 1 percent limit on annual ... (read more)
The Washington State Supreme Court heard oral arguments in May in the legal battle over voter-approved Initiative 747, which set a 1 percent limit on annual ... (read more)
Washington State Legislators Abuse 'Emergency Clause' Budget Loophole
Horse race telecasts and a new name for a recreation committee were among 73 items declared legislative emergencies in Washington State as lawmakers continued ... (read more)
Horse race telecasts and a new name for a recreation committee were among 73 items declared legislative emergencies in Washington State as lawmakers continued ... (read more)
