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
September 2008
Bottled Water Tax Brings Only a Trickle of Revenue
Chicago city officials predicted a big flow of revenue from the nation's first tax on bottled water, but the take so far has been just a trickle, forcing ... (read more)
Chicago city officials predicted a big flow of revenue from the nation's first tax on bottled water, but the take so far has been just a trickle, forcing ... (read more)
Budget Transparency Problems Are Identified in 50-State Survey
The Institute for Truth in Accounting, based in Northbrook, Illinois, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization founded by financial and public policy experts ... (read more)
The Institute for Truth in Accounting, based in Northbrook, Illinois, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization founded by financial and public policy experts ... (read more)
Chicago Mayor Puts Brakes on 'Super Station' Project for Now
After spending $213 million, the City of Chicago has decided to suspend indefinitely construction of an underground "super station" for express ... (read more)
After spending $213 million, the City of Chicago has decided to suspend indefinitely construction of an underground "super station" for express ... (read more)
Congress Opts for Farm Bill Pork Rather than Reform
After repeated delays, unexpected clerical missteps, and two presidential vetoes, the 2007 Farm Bill became law in June. The previous Farm Bill was passed ... (read more)
After repeated delays, unexpected clerical missteps, and two presidential vetoes, the 2007 Farm Bill became law in June. The previous Farm Bill was passed ... (read more)
Cook County President Gets Earful from Angry Citizens
Hundreds of residents of Cook County, Illinois gave County Board President Todd Stroger (D) an earful over a 1 percentage point sales tax increase that ... (read more)
Hundreds of residents of Cook County, Illinois gave County Board President Todd Stroger (D) an earful over a 1 percentage point sales tax increase that ... (read more)
Expert Sees Problems with Drink, Rental Car Taxes
"Any time you raise the price of something, you decrease its consumption." So says Frank Gamrat, an economist and senior research associate at the Allegheny ... (read more)
"Any time you raise the price of something, you decrease its consumption." So says Frank Gamrat, an economist and senior research associate at the Allegheny ... (read more)
Fees Bringing in More than Enough
Research by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a nonprofit, free-market research institute based in Austin, shows Texas consumers in the state's 10 largest ... (read more)
Research by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a nonprofit, free-market research institute based in Austin, shows Texas consumers in the state's 10 largest ... (read more)
Florida Tax System Overburdens Part-Time Residents and Business
Tom Gaitens, Florida field director for FreedomWorks, a nationwide grassroots taxpayer advocacy group, notes the Florida tax system is designed to shift ... (read more)
Tom Gaitens, Florida field director for FreedomWorks, a nationwide grassroots taxpayer advocacy group, notes the Florida tax system is designed to shift ... (read more)
Florida Voters May Decide on 'Tax Swap' Plan
Floridians might have the option this November to vote to cut property taxes by raising other taxes, depending on the outcome of a lawsuit that has been ... (read more)
Floridians might have the option this November to vote to cut property taxes by raising other taxes, depending on the outcome of a lawsuit that has been ... (read more)
Illinois Is Playing a Dangerous Game with its Broken Annual Budget Process
For the second year in a row the Illinois state government started its fiscal year, which began July 1, without an approved budget. Legislators passed a ... (read more)
For the second year in a row the Illinois state government started its fiscal year, which began July 1, without an approved budget. Legislators passed a ... (read more)
New South Dakota Measure Favors Railroads Over Private Property Rights
Railroads operating in South Dakota will have an easier time seizing private property under state Senate Bill 174, which became law July 1. Proponents ... (read more)
Railroads operating in South Dakota will have an easier time seizing private property under state Senate Bill 174, which became law July 1. Proponents ... (read more)
Online Retailers Sue Over N.Y. Internet Sales Tax
Overstock.com informed more than 3,400 New York-based affiliate advertisers that they can no longer provide ads for Overstock. On May 13, it wrote its affiliates ... (read more)
Overstock.com informed more than 3,400 New York-based affiliate advertisers that they can no longer provide ads for Overstock. On May 13, it wrote its affiliates ... (read more)
Optimal, 'Right' Size of Government Provides New Political Paradigm
A growing body of research shows there is an "optimal" size beyond which government becomes a drain on a nation's economy. And government in the United ... (read more)
A growing body of research shows there is an "optimal" size beyond which government becomes a drain on a nation's economy. And government in the United ... (read more)
Pittsburgh Citizens Launch a New Tax Rebellion
Hundreds of citizens of Pittsburgh and surrounding Allegheny County, Pennsylvania have launched a campaign they call "Whiskey Rebellion II" to place on ... (read more)
Hundreds of citizens of Pittsburgh and surrounding Allegheny County, Pennsylvania have launched a campaign they call "Whiskey Rebellion II" to place on ... (read more)
Port of Seattle Spends to Defend Itself
The Port of Seattle's legal bills have topped $1 million for three law firms hired in response to its recent performance audit and the launch of a criminal ... (read more)
The Port of Seattle's legal bills have topped $1 million for three law firms hired in response to its recent performance audit and the launch of a criminal ... (read more)
Researcher Says 'Raucous Showdown' with Government Unions Is Ahead
To guarantee continued delivery of public services at a reasonable cost, local, state, and federal lawmakers will soon be forced to stand up to government ... (read more)
To guarantee continued delivery of public services at a reasonable cost, local, state, and federal lawmakers will soon be forced to stand up to government ... (read more)
Rhode Island Cuts Pensions for New Judges, Cops
Rhode Island lawmakers have passed a nearly $7 billion budget that includes new pension eligibility rules and benefit cuts for judges and state police officers ... (read more)
Rhode Island lawmakers have passed a nearly $7 billion budget that includes new pension eligibility rules and benefit cuts for judges and state police officers ... (read more)
September 2008 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
The September 2008 issue of Budget & Tax News highlights research by the Institute for Truth in Accounting aimed at improving the transparency ... and accuracy ... (read more)
The September 2008 issue of Budget & Tax News highlights research by the Institute for Truth in Accounting aimed at improving the transparency ... and accuracy ... (read more)
Supreme Court Affirms Free Speech for Employers
Employers across the nation now have confirmation of their constitutional right to free speech as the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a California law ... (read more)
Employers across the nation now have confirmation of their constitutional right to free speech as the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a California law ... (read more)
Supreme Court to Consider Union Political Funds Collection
Taxpayers across the nation will soon know whether states can prohibit local school boards from collecting political contributions for teacher unions, as ... (read more)
Taxpayers across the nation will soon know whether states can prohibit local school boards from collecting political contributions for teacher unions, as ... (read more)
Tax Bites: The Toll of Hidden Taxes on Car Rentals
The taxpayer-advocacy group Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) has estimated average prices and taxes imposed on 13 popular targets for multiple layers of hidden ... (read more)
The taxpayer-advocacy group Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) has estimated average prices and taxes imposed on 13 popular targets for multiple layers of hidden ... (read more)
Texas Treats Phone Use Like a 'Sin'
Texas lawmakers have been studying the state's telecom taxes, which rank among the highest in the nation, and have begun lowering the tax burden on telephone ... (read more)
Texas lawmakers have been studying the state's telecom taxes, which rank among the highest in the nation, and have begun lowering the tax burden on telephone ... (read more)
Virginia Special Session Ends With No Tax Hikes
Virginia taxpayers have won another round in their fight to hold down transportation-related taxes. A special session called by Gov. Tim Kaine (D) to ... (read more)
Virginia taxpayers have won another round in their fight to hold down transportation-related taxes. A special session called by Gov. Tim Kaine (D) to ... (read more)
Wisconsin Dams Neglected, Deteriorating as State Has Diverted Repair Funding
Heavy flooding in Wisconsin this spring and summer has drawn many a wary eye to the condition of the state's approximately 3,800 dams--and to the state's ... (read more)
Heavy flooding in Wisconsin this spring and summer has drawn many a wary eye to the condition of the state's approximately 3,800 dams--and to the state's ... (read more)
