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
July 2008
Backlash Brewing Against Prevailing Wage Expansion
As the share of the construction workforce that is unionized continues to decline, state laws requiring payment of prevailing wages on public works and ... (read more)
As the share of the construction workforce that is unionized continues to decline, state laws requiring payment of prevailing wages on public works and ... (read more)
Baltimore, Md. and Counties Tax Income Too
A new tax rate of 6.25 percent for Maryland tax filers who report $1million or more of income comes on top of income taxes imposed by the state's 23 counties ... (read more)
A new tax rate of 6.25 percent for Maryland tax filers who report $1million or more of income comes on top of income taxes imposed by the state's 23 counties ... (read more)
Brazen Contempt from Union Firefighters? Or Attitude We Should Emulate?
What do you see when you look at the Boston Firefighters Union? Do you see brazen greed and naked contempt for the taxpayer? That's what I used to see, ... (read more)
What do you see when you look at the Boston Firefighters Union? Do you see brazen greed and naked contempt for the taxpayer? That's what I used to see, ... (read more)
Colorado Right-to-Work Initiative Qualifies for Ballot
A right-to-work initiative in Colorado has qualified for the November ballot. The Colorado Secretary of State's office confirmed initiative proponents had ... (read more)
A right-to-work initiative in Colorado has qualified for the November ballot. The Colorado Secretary of State's office confirmed initiative proponents had ... (read more)
Commissioner Has Broad Background in Public, Private Sectors
New Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Douglas Shulman has a long history of both private- and public-sector service. In the private sector he was involved ... (read more)
New Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Douglas Shulman has a long history of both private- and public-sector service. In the private sector he was involved ... (read more)
Double Taxation of Hospital Services Pushes Patient Bills Up
As medical costs continue to rise, an under-appreciated factor is states' double taxation of hospital services. In many states, hospitals must pay sales ... (read more)
As medical costs continue to rise, an under-appreciated factor is states' double taxation of hospital services. In many states, hospitals must pay sales ... (read more)
Former Illinois Governor, Cubs Owner Try to Swing State Ballpark Buyout
Last December, real estate mogul Sam Zell closed one of the biggest deals of his life--a buyout of the Tribune Company, owner of some of the nation's largest ... (read more)
Last December, real estate mogul Sam Zell closed one of the biggest deals of his life--a buyout of the Tribune Company, owner of some of the nation's largest ... (read more)
Governor Sends Higher Bills to Arizona Property Tax Payers
Homeowners across the country are feeling the pinch of higher property tax bills, and tax revolts are popping up all over in response. A recent veto by ... (read more)
Homeowners across the country are feeling the pinch of higher property tax bills, and tax revolts are popping up all over in response. A recent veto by ... (read more)
High Labor Costs, Housing Slump Drive Calif. City into Bankruptcy
Lavish pay, pensions, and other perks for city workers, combined with a housing slump, have landed Vallejo, California in bankruptcy court. Council members ... (read more)
Lavish pay, pensions, and other perks for city workers, combined with a housing slump, have landed Vallejo, California in bankruptcy court. Council members ... (read more)
Illinois Governor's $1 Million Grant Under Investigation
With some lawmakers talking impeachment of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), state auditors are asking exactly how a $1 million grant for a church ended ... (read more)
With some lawmakers talking impeachment of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), state auditors are asking exactly how a $1 million grant for a church ended ... (read more)
Illinois Senate Mulls $8 Billion Tax Hike
The Illinois Senate is considering legislation that would raise state taxes by nearly $8 billion to pay down state debt, finance road construction, and ... (read more)
The Illinois Senate is considering legislation that would raise state taxes by nearly $8 billion to pay down state debt, finance road construction, and ... (read more)
July 2008 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
The July 2008 issue of Budget & Tax News highlights private options for financing highways and bridges in the U.S. On page 1: Lavish pay, pensions, ... (read more)
The July 2008 issue of Budget & Tax News highlights private options for financing highways and bridges in the U.S. On page 1: Lavish pay, pensions, ... (read more)
Kentucky Considers Tolls to Fund New Bridges
One outspoken Northern Kentucky mayor warns steps must be taken "soon" to repair an aging bridge in his community and avoid a catastrophe similar to last ... (read more)
One outspoken Northern Kentucky mayor warns steps must be taken "soon" to repair an aging bridge in his community and avoid a catastrophe similar to last ... (read more)
Md. Millionaires Hit by Tax Bracket for Wealthy
Maryland has become the nation's first state to impose a tax bracket specifically for filers who earn more than $1 million a year. Supporters say the move ... (read more)
Maryland has become the nation's first state to impose a tax bracket specifically for filers who earn more than $1 million a year. Supporters say the move ... (read more)
Momentum Keeps Building for Spending Transparency Movement
Those who thought the movement to increase transparency in government spending would be a flash in the pan have been proven wrong by a flurry of legislative ... (read more)
Those who thought the movement to increase transparency in government spending would be a flash in the pan have been proven wrong by a flurry of legislative ... (read more)
New IRS Chief May Focus Less on Enforcement
The U.S. Senate has approved Douglas Shulman as President George W. Bush's appointee to take the reins at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Shulman replaces ... (read more)
The U.S. Senate has approved Douglas Shulman as President George W. Bush's appointee to take the reins at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Shulman replaces ... (read more)
New York Commission Says State Could Save $1 Billion
A commission appointed last year by former New York governor Eliot Spitzer (D) has announced the state's taxpayers could save $1 billion a year by consolidating ... (read more)
A commission appointed last year by former New York governor Eliot Spitzer (D) has announced the state's taxpayers could save $1 billion a year by consolidating ... (read more)
Political Roadblocks Still Slowing PPPs
Questions about the proper role of the private sector in infrastructure development persist, according to proponents and critics of public-private partnerships ... (read more)
Questions about the proper role of the private sector in infrastructure development persist, according to proponents and critics of public-private partnerships ... (read more)
Private Investment, Tolls Will Play an Increasing Role in Funding Tomorrow's Transportation Infrastructure
Private capital and toll revenue financing will play a major role in funding future transportation infrastructure. That is the overall conclusion my colleagues ... (read more)
Private capital and toll revenue financing will play a major role in funding future transportation infrastructure. That is the overall conclusion my colleagues ... (read more)
Residents of Newly Incorporated Village Want Out
In April 2007, the area now known as Campton Hills, Illinois voted to incorporate as a village with the goals of preserving the area's rural character and ... (read more)
In April 2007, the area now known as Campton Hills, Illinois voted to incorporate as a village with the goals of preserving the area's rural character and ... (read more)
Tax Rebellion Stirs Talk of Secession in Cook County, Illinois
A brewing tax rebellion in suburban Cook County, Illinois, which includes the city of Chicago, has local officials and some state lawmakers talking of forming ... (read more)
A brewing tax rebellion in suburban Cook County, Illinois, which includes the city of Chicago, has local officials and some state lawmakers talking of forming ... (read more)
Unique Opportunity Is at Hand for Far-Reaching Federal Tax Reform
For the first time since 1986, the stars may be aligning for a grand bipartisan compromise on fundamental federal tax reform. Regardless of who wins ... (read more)
For the first time since 1986, the stars may be aligning for a grand bipartisan compromise on fundamental federal tax reform. Regardless of who wins ... (read more)
