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
November 2003
Adam Smith on Taxes
Although he lived in the 1700s, Adam Smith is still known and revered today for his work on free-market economics, including taxation. If federal, state, ... (read more)
Although he lived in the 1700s, Adam Smith is still known and revered today for his work on free-market economics, including taxation. If federal, state, ... (read more)
Adam Smith: Economist and Philosopher (1723 - 1790)
Adam Smith was born in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland in 1723. In 1751 he was appointed professor of logic at Glasgow University, delivering lectures in ethics, ... (read more)
Adam Smith was born in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland in 1723. In 1751 he was appointed professor of logic at Glasgow University, delivering lectures in ethics, ... (read more)
Alabama Voters Defeat Tax Hike Plan
By a 68 to 32 percent margin, Alabama voters overwhelmingly rejected Governor Bob Riley’s $1.2 billion tax increase plan in a September 9 referendum. Less ... (read more)
By a 68 to 32 percent margin, Alabama voters overwhelmingly rejected Governor Bob Riley’s $1.2 billion tax increase plan in a September 9 referendum. Less ... (read more)
Alternative Minimum Tax Stalks Millions of Taxpayers
There is certainly some ironic justice in recent revelations that millionaire columnist-turned-politician Arianna Huffington paid no income tax to the ... (read more)
There is certainly some ironic justice in recent revelations that millionaire columnist-turned-politician Arianna Huffington paid no income tax to the ... (read more)
Congressman Ron Paul
Ron Paul, M.D. is a premier advocate for liberty in politics today. First elected to Congress in 1976, Rep. Paul is a leading spokesman in Washington ... (read more)
Ron Paul, M.D. is a premier advocate for liberty in politics today. First elected to Congress in 1976, Rep. Paul is a leading spokesman in Washington ... (read more)
Federal Deficit Still Smaller than the 1980s
If current federal laws and policies do not change, the federal government will incur a total budget deficit of $374 billion in 2003 and $480 billion ... (read more)
If current federal laws and policies do not change, the federal government will incur a total budget deficit of $374 billion in 2003 and $480 billion ... (read more)
H.R. 49--the Internet Tax Non-Discrimination Act
H.R. 49, the Internet Tax Non-Discrimination Act, makes permanent a tax moratorium first enacted in 1998 as the Internet Tax Freedom Act. The original ... (read more)
H.R. 49, the Internet Tax Non-Discrimination Act, makes permanent a tax moratorium first enacted in 1998 as the Internet Tax Freedom Act. The original ... (read more)
High Cigarette Taxes Feed Black Market in New York
New York State increased its cigarette excise tax rate from $1.11 to $1.50 per pack in April 2002, while New York City dramatically increased its rate ... (read more)
New York State increased its cigarette excise tax rate from $1.11 to $1.50 per pack in April 2002, while New York City dramatically increased its rate ... (read more)
Higher Beer Taxes Unfair, Regressive
You probably didn’t know this, but a staggering 44 percent of the cost of the average beer is taxes. And the situation is getting worse. The problem ... (read more)
You probably didn’t know this, but a staggering 44 percent of the cost of the average beer is taxes. And the situation is getting worse. The problem ... (read more)
House Passes Bill to Ban Internet Taxes
Managing Editor’s Note: On September 17, 2003 the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 49, the Internet Tax Non-Discrimination Act, to permanently ... (read more)
Managing Editor’s Note: On September 17, 2003 the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 49, the Internet Tax Non-Discrimination Act, to permanently ... (read more)
How to Cut State Spending
Facing record budget deficits and taxpayer opposition to higher taxes, many state legislators are turning for help to a 2002 report from the American ... (read more)
Facing record budget deficits and taxpayer opposition to higher taxes, many state legislators are turning for help to a 2002 report from the American ... (read more)
How Washington State Balanced Its Budget
According to the National Association of State Budget Officers, the state of Washington opened its 2003 fiscal year with a $1.6 billion deficit--less ... (read more)
According to the National Association of State Budget Officers, the state of Washington opened its 2003 fiscal year with a $1.6 billion deficit--less ... (read more)
IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson
The U.S. Senate confirmed Mark W. Everson on May 1, 2003, as Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. Everson is the 46th commissioner since the ... (read more)
The U.S. Senate confirmed Mark W. Everson on May 1, 2003, as Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. Everson is the 46th commissioner since the ... (read more)
Justice Department Move Threatens State Revenues
The Justice Department’s decision to continue to pursue the Clinton-era civil suit against the nation’s largest tobacco companies represents poor legal ... (read more)
The Justice Department’s decision to continue to pursue the Clinton-era civil suit against the nation’s largest tobacco companies represents poor legal ... (read more)
November 2003 Budget & Tax News (pdf)
The Heartland Institute launched in November its fourth monthly newspaper, Budget & Tax News. According to Heartland President Joseph L. Bast, “BTN will ... (read more)
The Heartland Institute launched in November its fourth monthly newspaper, Budget & Tax News. According to Heartland President Joseph L. Bast, “BTN will ... (read more)
Private Prisons Save Money, Boost Productivity, Studies Find
In a get-tough-on-crime move nearly a decade ago, Florida passed in 1995 a law requiring all prison inmates to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences. ... (read more)
In a get-tough-on-crime move nearly a decade ago, Florida passed in 1995 a law requiring all prison inmates to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences. ... (read more)
Schwarzenegger Faces Toxic Tax System
California’s October 7 recall election turned the eyes of the nation to the state’s economy and its tax system. Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger and ... (read more)
California’s October 7 recall election turned the eyes of the nation to the state’s economy and its tax system. Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger and ... (read more)
Seattle Voters Say NO to Latte Tax
Voters in Seattle, Washington rejected a 10 cent per cup tax on upscale coffee--by a resounding 68-32 margin--on September 16. In Seattle, known as ... (read more)
Voters in Seattle, Washington rejected a 10 cent per cup tax on upscale coffee--by a resounding 68-32 margin--on September 16. In Seattle, known as ... (read more)
State Deficits Remain High While Taxes Surge
Last year’s elections produced nearly two dozen new governors--the largest turnover in years. But they didn’t have long to celebrate their victories. ... (read more)
Last year’s elections produced nearly two dozen new governors--the largest turnover in years. But they didn’t have long to celebrate their victories. ... (read more)
Streamlined Sales Tax Stumbles in Kansas
Kansas retailers will get a reprieve from the provisions of a new sales tax law as a result of a “grace period” issued by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius. Sebelius ... (read more)
Kansas retailers will get a reprieve from the provisions of a new sales tax law as a result of a “grace period” issued by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius. Sebelius ... (read more)
Tax Officials Use Sleight-of-Hand to Help Balance State Budgets
In an effort to avoid cutting programs and raising taxes, officials in a handful of cash-strapped states used bureaucratic sleight-of-hand to shift revenue ... (read more)
In an effort to avoid cutting programs and raising taxes, officials in a handful of cash-strapped states used bureaucratic sleight-of-hand to shift revenue ... (read more)
Taxes, Education Clash in Nevada
The state of Nevada is in the midst of a constitutional tug-of-war pitting Silver State taxpayers against the state’s education bureaucracy. For the moment, ... (read more)
The state of Nevada is in the midst of a constitutional tug-of-war pitting Silver State taxpayers against the state’s education bureaucracy. For the moment, ... (read more)
Taxpayer Group Recognizes Top-Ranked Governors
Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), a Washington, DC-based taxpayer advocacy group, awarded 17 governors with high ranks this year, and seven of those were ... (read more)
Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), a Washington, DC-based taxpayer advocacy group, awarded 17 governors with high ranks this year, and seven of those were ... (read more)
The Terrible Cost of Government
According to Americans for Tax Reform, Americans worked until mid-July this year to pay their whopping bills to the government. July 11 was “Cost of Government ... (read more)
According to Americans for Tax Reform, Americans worked until mid-July this year to pay their whopping bills to the government. July 11 was “Cost of Government ... (read more)
What is the AMT?
The alternative minimum tax (AMT) is an extra tax system for individuals, joint filers, partnerships, and corporations deemed by the federal government ... (read more)
The alternative minimum tax (AMT) is an extra tax system for individuals, joint filers, partnerships, and corporations deemed by the federal government ... (read more)
What Should Arnold Do?
California’s budget crisis dominated the recall campaign, and Gov. Schwarzenegger has promised to deal with the budget before turning to any other issues. ... (read more)
California’s budget crisis dominated the recall campaign, and Gov. Schwarzenegger has promised to deal with the budget before turning to any other issues. ... (read more)
Wisconsin City Rejects Property Tax Hike
Voters in Baraboo, Wisconsin, a small town with a population of roughly 11,000 located in south central Wisconsin, overwhelmingly rejected a referendum ... (read more)
Voters in Baraboo, Wisconsin, a small town with a population of roughly 11,000 located in south central Wisconsin, overwhelmingly rejected a referendum ... (read more)
