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
March 2009
2009 March Budget & Tax News: Taxing the Poor for SCHIP Expansion
The March 2009 issue of Budget & Tax News exposes Congressional Democrats’ plan to triple the cigarette tax in order to fund an expansion of the ... (read more)
The March 2009 issue of Budget & Tax News exposes Congressional Democrats’ plan to triple the cigarette tax in order to fund an expansion of the ... (read more)
Arizona Grapples with Huge Budget Deficit
Arizona could be facing a budget deficit equaling 30 percent of the state’s general fund spending, giving the state the largest budget deficit on ... (read more)
Arizona could be facing a budget deficit equaling 30 percent of the state’s general fund spending, giving the state the largest budget deficit on ... (read more)
California Nearly Broke, $40 Billion 18-Month Deficit Projected
California entered 2009 with a state budget deficit estimated by the governor’s office to exceed $40 billion in the next 18 months. The office warned ... (read more)
California entered 2009 with a state budget deficit estimated by the governor’s office to exceed $40 billion in the next 18 months. The office warned ... (read more)
Chicago Gets $1.15 Billion in Parking Meter Deal
The City of Chicago has approved a $1.157 billion lease of the city’s 36,000 parking meters to Chicago Parking Meters LLC, a consortium led by the ... (read more)
The City of Chicago has approved a $1.157 billion lease of the city’s 36,000 parking meters to Chicago Parking Meters LLC, a consortium led by the ... (read more)
Cigarette Tax Bill Is New Congress’s First Tax Test
President Barack Obama helped sweep large Democratic majorities into both houses of Congress in large part by promising he would not raise taxes on any ... (read more)
President Barack Obama helped sweep large Democratic majorities into both houses of Congress in large part by promising he would not raise taxes on any ... (read more)
Cigarette Tax Would Triple Under $35 Billion SCHIP Plan
Higher federal taxes on tobacco products could be in the offing to pay for a planned expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), ... (read more)
Higher federal taxes on tobacco products could be in the offing to pay for a planned expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), ... (read more)
Communities Move to Block Sale of Chicago-Area Rail Line
The Canadian National Railway has received federal approval to buy the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway, but two Chicago suburbs have filed legal challenges ... (read more)
The Canadian National Railway has received federal approval to buy the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway, but two Chicago suburbs have filed legal challenges ... (read more)
Drinks Tax Could Target Penn State Students
Officials in State College, Pennsylvania, home of Penn State University, are considering adopting a 10 percent tax on alcoholic drinks purchased at bars ... (read more)
Officials in State College, Pennsylvania, home of Penn State University, are considering adopting a 10 percent tax on alcoholic drinks purchased at bars ... (read more)
Family and Medical Leave Act Alterations Bringing Clarity, Consternation for Businesses
The U.S. Department of Labor has given businesses with more than 50 employees a belated Christmas present: 770 new pages of Family and Medical Leave Act ... (read more)
The U.S. Department of Labor has given businesses with more than 50 employees a belated Christmas present: 770 new pages of Family and Medical Leave Act ... (read more)
Federal Infrastructure Push May Worsen State, Local Budget Problems
President Barack Obama has proposed spending hundreds of billions of dollars on infrastructure as an economic stimulus to “create millions of jobs.” However, ... (read more)
President Barack Obama has proposed spending hundreds of billions of dollars on infrastructure as an economic stimulus to “create millions of jobs.” However, ... (read more)
High Cigarette Taxes Bring Unintended Consequences
Cigarette smuggling is not the only issue requiring consideration when studying tobacco tax hikes. States that dramatically hike excise taxes create numerous ... (read more)
Cigarette smuggling is not the only issue requiring consideration when studying tobacco tax hikes. States that dramatically hike excise taxes create numerous ... (read more)
Higher Oregon Gas Taxes and Fees Loom
Oregonians could face a state gasoline tax hike and higher fees on vehicles through the state’s Jobs and Transportation Act of 2009. The act, proposed ... (read more)
Oregonians could face a state gasoline tax hike and higher fees on vehicles through the state’s Jobs and Transportation Act of 2009. The act, proposed ... (read more)
Obama’s Plan Could Lengthen Crash
While President Barack Obama proposes to restart the economy via the largest public-works construction program since the inception of the national interstate ... (read more)
While President Barack Obama proposes to restart the economy via the largest public-works construction program since the inception of the national interstate ... (read more)
Overspending, Heavy Debt Are Causing States’ Budget Shortfalls
Thirty states are facing budget shortfalls of approximately $30 billion in total in fiscal 2009, and 25 are in line for shortfalls totaling about $60 billion ... (read more)
Thirty states are facing budget shortfalls of approximately $30 billion in total in fiscal 2009, and 25 are in line for shortfalls totaling about $60 billion ... (read more)
Port of Seattle Fraud Reveals Need for Performance Audits
A scathing report documenting fraud in the Port of Seattle’s contracting practices demonstrates the value of state performance audits, according to ... (read more)
A scathing report documenting fraud in the Port of Seattle’s contracting practices demonstrates the value of state performance audits, according to ... (read more)
Smoking Ban Is Causing Tax Revenue Drop, Illinois Casino Owners Say
Casino operators say a strict smoking ban is the main cause of a sharp drop in casino tax revenues in Illinois. Illinois’ smoking ban took effect ... (read more)
Casino operators say a strict smoking ban is the main cause of a sharp drop in casino tax revenues in Illinois. Illinois’ smoking ban took effect ... (read more)
Some Governors Are Offering Big Ideas for Reform
More than 40 state budgets are in deficit or projected to be there in the coming fiscal year, and in some states the dire budget situations are creating ... (read more)
More than 40 state budgets are in deficit or projected to be there in the coming fiscal year, and in some states the dire budget situations are creating ... (read more)
Study: Cigarette Smuggling Widespread, Driven by Taxes
Many states are considering cigarette excise tax increases to plug holes in their budgets. But a new study finds potentially higher revenues from tax hikes ... (read more)
Many states are considering cigarette excise tax increases to plug holes in their budgets. But a new study finds potentially higher revenues from tax hikes ... (read more)
Suburban St. Louis Fire District Would Allow Voters to Cut Taxes
A suburban St. Louis fire protection district is moving to ask voters to pass a tax rate decrease referendum. A policy vote by the board expected in January ... (read more)
A suburban St. Louis fire protection district is moving to ask voters to pass a tax rate decrease referendum. A policy vote by the board expected in January ... (read more)
