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
December 2008
Apology for Inappropriate Image
The December issue of Budget & Tax News contained an illustration of a burning dollar bill. The editors failed to notice the picture included words, ... (read more)
The December issue of Budget & Tax News contained an illustration of a burning dollar bill. The editors failed to notice the picture included words, ... (read more)
Bailout Sequel May Be as Scary as Original, Analysts Warn
Despite committing more than $2 trillion to buyouts, bailouts, loans, takeovers, and giveaways, federal government officials continue to struggle to manage ... (read more)
Despite committing more than $2 trillion to buyouts, bailouts, loans, takeovers, and giveaways, federal government officials continue to struggle to manage ... (read more)
Carbon Audit Threatens to Cause More Economic Pain
An ominous carbon audit of the U.S. tax code has been initiated, along with several expensive “green pork” programs, as part of the bailout ... (read more)
An ominous carbon audit of the U.S. tax code has been initiated, along with several expensive “green pork” programs, as part of the bailout ... (read more)
Chicago Privatizes Midway Airport in $2.5 Billion Lease Deal
The city of Chicago will receive $2.5 billion for a 99-year lease of Midway Airport on the city’s South Side, making it the first major commercial ... (read more)
The city of Chicago will receive $2.5 billion for a 99-year lease of Midway Airport on the city’s South Side, making it the first major commercial ... (read more)
December 2008 Budget & Tax News: Bailout: The Sequel? (PDF)
The December 2008 issue of Budget & Tax News highlights the federal government’s recent “buyouts, bailouts, loans, takeovers, and giveaways” ... (read more)
The December 2008 issue of Budget & Tax News highlights the federal government’s recent “buyouts, bailouts, loans, takeovers, and giveaways” ... (read more)
Election Results Will Have Big Consequences for Workers’ Rights
Shortly before Election Day, Budget & Tax News Contributing Editor Sandra Fabry sat down with Brian M. Johnson, executive director of the Alliance ... (read more)
Shortly before Election Day, Budget & Tax News Contributing Editor Sandra Fabry sat down with Brian M. Johnson, executive director of the Alliance ... (read more)
Fall Election Features Bumper Crop of Ballot Measures for Tax Cuts, Hikes
While presidential candidates Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama occupy the top electoral slots this fall, voters will have numerous choices to make on ... (read more)
While presidential candidates Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama occupy the top electoral slots this fall, voters will have numerous choices to make on ... (read more)
Florida High Court Ruling Divides Taxpayer, Business Groups
The Florida Supreme Court has decided not to allow the state’s voters to decide whether to cut property taxes 25 percent and increase the sales tax ... (read more)
The Florida Supreme Court has decided not to allow the state’s voters to decide whether to cut property taxes 25 percent and increase the sales tax ... (read more)
Government Unions Are Redefining People as State Workers
Politics, money, and power always make for good intrigue, and government labor unions involve all three. So notes The State of Labor 2008 report by the ... (read more)
Politics, money, and power always make for good intrigue, and government labor unions involve all three. So notes The State of Labor 2008 report by the ... (read more)
Kansas Cigarette Tax Proposal Ignores Economic Realities
Politicians continue to take aim at “Big Tobacco” in the search for additional tax revenues, as Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) recently announced ... (read more)
Politicians continue to take aim at “Big Tobacco” in the search for additional tax revenues, as Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) recently announced ... (read more)
Mental Health Parity Bill Becomes $700 Billion Economic Stabilization Act
A relatively unheralded part of the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program passed by Congress in October is a provision for “mental health parity,” ... (read more)
A relatively unheralded part of the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program passed by Congress in October is a provision for “mental health parity,” ... (read more)
New Jersey Cigarette Tax Hike Reduces Revenues Again
For the second consecutive year, New Jersey has unintentionally shattered the conventional wisdom on cigarette tax increases, that higher taxes serve the ... (read more)
For the second consecutive year, New Jersey has unintentionally shattered the conventional wisdom on cigarette tax increases, that higher taxes serve the ... (read more)
New Jersey Has Nation’s Worst Business Tax Climate
The Tax Foundation’s 2009 State Business Tax Climate Index, the sixth annual report ranking the 50 states on the business-friendliness of their tax ... (read more)
The Tax Foundation’s 2009 State Business Tax Climate Index, the sixth annual report ranking the 50 states on the business-friendliness of their tax ... (read more)
New Web Site, Organization Aim to Empower Taxpayers
With the launch of the Center for Fiscal Accountability Web site, taxpayers, lawmakers, and activists have a new resource to make government more accountable. The ... (read more)
With the launch of the Center for Fiscal Accountability Web site, taxpayers, lawmakers, and activists have a new resource to make government more accountable. The ... (read more)
Pittsburgh Lowballs Garbage Collection Charges for Neighbors
In the spirit of municipal cooperation and to prove the city is an efficient service provider, Pittsburgh last year began collecting residential garbage ... (read more)
In the spirit of municipal cooperation and to prove the city is an efficient service provider, Pittsburgh last year began collecting residential garbage ... (read more)
Road Funding Problems Make Partnerships Attractive
September’s emergency transfer of $8 billion from the U.S. Treasury to the depleted Federal Highway Trust Fund was enough to restore its solvency ... (read more)
September’s emergency transfer of $8 billion from the U.S. Treasury to the depleted Federal Highway Trust Fund was enough to restore its solvency ... (read more)
SEIU Pledges Reform as Investigation into California Local Union Continues
The head of California’s largest labor union local has been placed on leave following a Los Angeles Times investigation revealing financial improprieties ... (read more)
The head of California’s largest labor union local has been placed on leave following a Los Angeles Times investigation revealing financial improprieties ... (read more)
Tax Transparency Next Focus of Open Government Reforms
A budget transparency movement is sweeping across the nation as government reform groups demand state and local officials make it easier for taxpayers to ... (read more)
A budget transparency movement is sweeping across the nation as government reform groups demand state and local officials make it easier for taxpayers to ... (read more)
Technology Increases Appeal of Toll Roads
Before the Highway Trust Fund’s establishment in1956 to finance building of the nation’s Interstate Highway System, tolling was the predominant ... (read more)
Before the Highway Trust Fund’s establishment in1956 to finance building of the nation’s Interstate Highway System, tolling was the predominant ... (read more)
The Bailout: What the Experts Are Saying
After surveying media coverage leading up to the two congressional votes on the federal bailout of the mortgage industry, Congressional Quarterly Managing ... (read more)
After surveying media coverage leading up to the two congressional votes on the federal bailout of the mortgage industry, Congressional Quarterly Managing ... (read more)
Trouble in Finance Sector Is Actually a Positive Purge of Financial Sins
The October 2008 issue of the IronBridge Capital Management L.P. investor newsletter gives readers an excellent primer on what has been roiling financial ... (read more)
The October 2008 issue of the IronBridge Capital Management L.P. investor newsletter gives readers an excellent primer on what has been roiling financial ... (read more)
Upper Midwest Is Enjoying Sudden Renaissance of Economic Freedom
In news that has come as something of a surprise to economy watchers, the South is no longer the U.S. region offering the most promising trend toward economic ... (read more)
In news that has come as something of a surprise to economy watchers, the South is no longer the U.S. region offering the most promising trend toward economic ... (read more)
Voter Initiatives Propose to Redirect Tax Money, Limit Lobbyists’ Power
A wide variety of initiatives bearing on budgets and taxes but not explicitly raising or lowering tax rates also have hit the ballots in states across the ... (read more)
A wide variety of initiatives bearing on budgets and taxes but not explicitly raising or lowering tax rates also have hit the ballots in states across the ... (read more)
Washington State Auditor Identifies $240 Million in Potential Taxpayer Savings
Against the backdrop of a projected $2.7 billion state budget deficit, Washington State Auditor Brian Sonntag has been busy making recommendations that ... (read more)
Against the backdrop of a projected $2.7 billion state budget deficit, Washington State Auditor Brian Sonntag has been busy making recommendations that ... (read more)
