Budget & Tax News
The Heartland Institute's national monthly outreach publication for advocates of lower taxes, balanced budgets, and limited government.
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Budget & Tax News
January 2008
'Privatization' Pioneer Wins Prestigious Professorship
E.S. "Steve" Savas chuckles when asked what he thinks about being named, with two other professors, the first "Presidential Professor" in the history of ... (read more)
E.S. "Steve" Savas chuckles when asked what he thinks about being named, with two other professors, the first "Presidential Professor" in the history of ... (read more)
1,750 Illinois State Programs, Zero Up for Consolidation
Much of what Illinois state government does remains a mystery to Illinois Auditor General William Holland, who on November 1 reported the state has no master ... (read more)
Much of what Illinois state government does remains a mystery to Illinois Auditor General William Holland, who on November 1 reported the state has no master ... (read more)
Alternate Library Plan Moves Forward
Despite the overwhelming defeat of a referendum to raise taxes for the Louisville, Kentucky library system, it appears the library system will expand. On ... (read more)
Despite the overwhelming defeat of a referendum to raise taxes for the Louisville, Kentucky library system, it appears the library system will expand. On ... (read more)
Analysts Warn Proposed Tax Hikes Could Hurt Maryland's Competitiveness
Tax hikes proposed by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) would send tax burdens up and business competitiveness down, according to economist Curtis Dubay ... (read more)
Tax hikes proposed by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) would send tax burdens up and business competitiveness down, according to economist Curtis Dubay ... (read more)
Better Traffic Flow Is Possible in Puget Sound Region: State Auditor
Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) and the state legislature need to combat traffic congestion in the Puget Sound region, according to a new performance ... (read more)
Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) and the state legislature need to combat traffic congestion in the Puget Sound region, according to a new performance ... (read more)
Chicago Mayor Blocks New 'Safety Assessment' Tax Proposal
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) has blocked a plan floated in the Chicago City Council to add an extra tax on local businesses to pay for customary fire ... (read more)
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) has blocked a plan floated in the Chicago City Council to add an extra tax on local businesses to pay for customary fire ... (read more)
Cook County Commissioners Consider New $4 Phone Tax
Cook County, Illinois households and businesses could be slapped with a $4 tax on all wireline and wireless phone lines, but local telephone service providers, ... (read more)
Cook County, Illinois households and businesses could be slapped with a $4 tax on all wireline and wireless phone lines, but local telephone service providers, ... (read more)
Dueling Tax Packages Proposed in Congress
Two tax reform plans with sharply different views of where federal income tax policy should head have been introduced in Congress, one by Rep. Charles Rangel ... (read more)
Two tax reform plans with sharply different views of where federal income tax policy should head have been introduced in Congress, one by Rep. Charles Rangel ... (read more)
Examples of Federal Earmarks in 2005 Highway Bill
$6 million for graffiti elimination in New York $2.95 million to Alaska for a film about state roads $2.2 million to construct a waterfront esplanade ... (read more)
$6 million for graffiti elimination in New York $2.95 million to Alaska for a film about state roads $2.2 million to construct a waterfront esplanade ... (read more)
Film Documents Impact of Eminent Domain Abuse
Phil Klein has been arrested at a public meeting, and his assistant's car has been vandalized, but the incidents have done nothing to cool his zeal for ... (read more)
Phil Klein has been arrested at a public meeting, and his assistant's car has been vandalized, but the incidents have done nothing to cool his zeal for ... (read more)
Gasoline Tax Hikes, Misappropriation Trouble Voters
Over the past century, Americans have witnessed a marked increase in mobility through safe and reliable roadways. This improvement has undoubtedly increased ... (read more)
Over the past century, Americans have witnessed a marked increase in mobility through safe and reliable roadways. This improvement has undoubtedly increased ... (read more)
Illegal Smokes Burn a Hole in Georgia Budget
The Georgia state government could be losing $20 million a year in cigarette tax revenue, according to experts who testified before a Georgia Senate committee ... (read more)
The Georgia state government could be losing $20 million a year in cigarette tax revenue, according to experts who testified before a Georgia Senate committee ... (read more)
Indianapolis Mayor Is Ousted by Voters
In one of the biggest political upsets in the state's history, popular two-term Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson (D) lost to Republican candidate Greg Ballard, ... (read more)
In one of the biggest political upsets in the state's history, popular two-term Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson (D) lost to Republican candidate Greg Ballard, ... (read more)
January 2008 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
The January 2008 issue of Budget & Tax News launches our sixth year of publication! On page 1 of this issue: The November 6 election results show a ... (read more)
The January 2008 issue of Budget & Tax News launches our sixth year of publication! On page 1 of this issue: The November 6 election results show a ... (read more)
Louisville Residents Reject Library Tax Plan
There was a gubernatorial election in November in Kentucky, but local taxes dominated Louisville's airwaves and angered taxpayers in the state's largest ... (read more)
There was a gubernatorial election in November in Kentucky, but local taxes dominated Louisville's airwaves and angered taxpayers in the state's largest ... (read more)
Michigan's High Taxes Drag Down State's Economy
Defenders of Michigan's recent tax increases argued additional revenue is necessary to provide much-needed government services. (See "Michigan Legislature ... (read more)
Defenders of Michigan's recent tax increases argued additional revenue is necessary to provide much-needed government services. (See "Michigan Legislature ... (read more)
New York's "Taylor Law" Feeds Union Power, Raises Taxes
"Over the past 40 years, the number of state and local government jobs has grown at more than twice the rate of private-sector employment in New York, and ... (read more)
"Over the past 40 years, the number of state and local government jobs has grown at more than twice the rate of private-sector employment in New York, and ... (read more)
Oregon Voters Reject Proposed Cigarette Tax
Oregon voters in November strongly opposed a measure to put into the state constitution a cigarette tax to fund children's health insurance. Voters in ... (read more)
Oregon voters in November strongly opposed a measure to put into the state constitution a cigarette tax to fund children's health insurance. Voters in ... (read more)
Overspending Puts New Mexico in a Commuter Rail-Induced Budget Crisis
When New Mexico legislators return to Santa Fe in early 2008 they will face a transportation crisis, the possibility of tax hikes, and the suspension of ... (read more)
When New Mexico legislators return to Santa Fe in early 2008 they will face a transportation crisis, the possibility of tax hikes, and the suspension of ... (read more)
Property Taxes Stir New Revolt in Utah
Utah legislators are facing a serious tax revolt at a time of huge taxpayer-funded surpluses. Before a packed hearing room during a September 19 meeting ... (read more)
Utah legislators are facing a serious tax revolt at a time of huge taxpayer-funded surpluses. Before a packed hearing room during a September 19 meeting ... (read more)
Researchers, Washington State Treasurer Slam Subsidies for Sports Facilities
State and local governments are stepping up efforts to attract and retain professional sports teams, but economists and public policy experts question that ... (read more)
State and local governments are stepping up efforts to attract and retain professional sports teams, but economists and public policy experts question that ... (read more)
Some States Get Fat, Others Fleeced
Some states feast at the expense of others when the federal government hands out money, according to the Tax Foundation's latest annual analysis of federal ... (read more)
Some states feast at the expense of others when the federal government hands out money, according to the Tax Foundation's latest annual analysis of federal ... (read more)
State Property Tax Debates Heating Up
With the recent rise in home values and property tax bills across the country, the property tax debate has heated up in several states. According to ... (read more)
With the recent rise in home values and property tax bills across the country, the property tax debate has heated up in several states. According to ... (read more)
Support for Alaska's 'Bridge to Nowhere' Collapses
Alaska officials have dropped their fight to build the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere," a proposed project that millions of Americans viewed as a symbol of ... (read more)
Alaska officials have dropped their fight to build the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere," a proposed project that millions of Americans viewed as a symbol of ... (read more)
The New Religious Left
Nearly two decades after the birth of the Religious Right, a new movement of religious activists is on the rise. This time, though, they lean left. In ... (read more)
Nearly two decades after the birth of the Religious Right, a new movement of religious activists is on the rise. This time, though, they lean left. In ... (read more)
Voters Send Strong Anti-Tax Message in November Elections
The November 6 election results show a clear tilt toward limited government, according to an analysis by the National Taxpayers Union (NTU). Tax increases ... (read more)
The November 6 election results show a clear tilt toward limited government, according to an analysis by the National Taxpayers Union (NTU). Tax increases ... (read more)
Wash. Voters Want Discipline, Not Tax Increases
Based on the results of the November election, 2007 may go down in history as a year of mini-tax revolt in Washington State. Not only were a majority ... (read more)
Based on the results of the November election, 2007 may go down in history as a year of mini-tax revolt in Washington State. Not only were a majority ... (read more)
Washington Court Strikes Down Tax Cap OKed by Voters
A measure to limit property tax hikes that Washington voters overwhelmingly approved in 2001 has been ruled unconstitutional by the state's supreme court. The ... (read more)
A measure to limit property tax hikes that Washington voters overwhelmingly approved in 2001 has been ruled unconstitutional by the state's supreme court. The ... (read more)
