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 2004
108th Congress to Address State Issues
According to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), at least four “critical state tax issues” will be debated this year in Congress. Facing ... (read more)
According to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), at least four “critical state tax issues” will be debated this year in Congress. Facing ... (read more)
A Timely Reference Book for Tax-Filers
The IRS Problem Solver: From Audits to Assessments--How to Solve Your Tax Problems and Keep the IRS Off Your Back Forever Daniel J. Pilla Regan ... (read more)
The IRS Problem Solver: From Audits to Assessments--How to Solve Your Tax Problems and Keep the IRS Off Your Back Forever Daniel J. Pilla Regan ... (read more)
Bush Pushes for Permanent Tax Cuts
In his January 20 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush called on Congress to make permanent the tax reductions passed since he took office. ... (read more)
In his January 20 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush called on Congress to make permanent the tax reductions passed since he took office. ... (read more)
California Study Says Public Housing Costs More Than Private
“The road to state-subsidized housing may be paved with good intentions, but it’s marked by an unavoidable fact: It actually costs more to build housing ... (read more)
“The road to state-subsidized housing may be paved with good intentions, but it’s marked by an unavoidable fact: It actually costs more to build housing ... (read more)
Cook County Assessor Wants Property Tax Caps
In a January 28 article in the Chicago Tribune, Cook County, Illinois Assessor James Houlihan renewed his call for state lawmakers to “impose a 7 percent ... (read more)
In a January 28 article in the Chicago Tribune, Cook County, Illinois Assessor James Houlihan renewed his call for state lawmakers to “impose a 7 percent ... (read more)
Cook County Businesses Burned by 450 Percent Cigarette Tax Increase
The Finance Committee of the Cook County (Chicago, Illinois) Board of Commissioners voted on February 3 to raise the county cigarette tax 450 percent, from ... (read more)
The Finance Committee of the Cook County (Chicago, Illinois) Board of Commissioners voted on February 3 to raise the county cigarette tax 450 percent, from ... (read more)
Corporations Don’t Pay Taxes, People Do
When Democrats on the Presidential campaign trail talk taxes, attacks against the Bush administration are de rigeur. The Bush tax cuts, they complain, benefitted ... (read more)
When Democrats on the Presidential campaign trail talk taxes, attacks against the Bush administration are de rigeur. The Bush tax cuts, they complain, benefitted ... (read more)
Farm Group Makes Fairer Taxes a Priority
At its national convention in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 14, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) moved to make replacing the federal income and ... (read more)
At its national convention in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 14, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) moved to make replacing the federal income and ... (read more)
Georgia Governor Touts Spending Restraint, No New Taxes
Before a joint session of the Georgia legislature on January 13, Gov. Sonny Perdue (R) outlined his vision for the state of Georgia during the annual State ... (read more)
Before a joint session of the Georgia legislature on January 13, Gov. Sonny Perdue (R) outlined his vision for the state of Georgia during the annual State ... (read more)
HOT Lanes Advance in Seven States
High-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes made major gains in 2003 as federal, state, and local officials endorsed either the concept or specific project proposals. A ... (read more)
High-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes made major gains in 2003 as federal, state, and local officials endorsed either the concept or specific project proposals. A ... (read more)
Illinois Governor Proposes Takeover of Board of Education
In a January 15 State of the State address that stunned many, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) dropped what one senator called an “atomic bomb” on the ... (read more)
In a January 15 State of the State address that stunned many, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) dropped what one senator called an “atomic bomb” on the ... (read more)
IRS Error Rate Still High
The January 2004 report of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration [TIGTA] confirms the IRS’s error rate for advice it gives at its hundreds ... (read more)
The January 2004 report of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration [TIGTA] confirms the IRS’s error rate for advice it gives at its hundreds ... (read more)
Kansas Senator Challenges Judge’s Billion Dollar Tax Increase
On January 26, Kansas State Sen. Kay O’Connor announced her intention to work with “like-minded legislators” to block implementation of District Court Judge ... (read more)
On January 26, Kansas State Sen. Kay O’Connor announced her intention to work with “like-minded legislators” to block implementation of District Court Judge ... (read more)
Lessons from 30 Years of TEL Experience
The first tax and expenditure limitation (TEL) was proposed by California Gov. Ronald Reagan in 1972. In the years since then, numerous states have adopted ... (read more)
The first tax and expenditure limitation (TEL) was proposed by California Gov. Ronald Reagan in 1972. In the years since then, numerous states have adopted ... (read more)
March 2004 Budget & Tax News (pdf)
As legislatures returned to session and governors delivered their “state of the state” addresses, tax and budget matters remained at the top of most political ... (read more)
As legislatures returned to session and governors delivered their “state of the state” addresses, tax and budget matters remained at the top of most political ... (read more)
Michigan’s Budget: Good Start, More Can Be Done
Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm (D) announced on December 18 that an agreement was reached to eliminate a $920 million deficit in the 2004 fiscal year ... (read more)
Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm (D) announced on December 18 that an agreement was reached to eliminate a $920 million deficit in the 2004 fiscal year ... (read more)
Mixed Results Achieved by 'Sin' Taxes in Nevada
A liquor tax hike implemented in Nevada in summer 2003 has done nothing to reduce alcohol use, but cigarette sales have slowed after an 80-cents-per-pack ... (read more)
A liquor tax hike implemented in Nevada in summer 2003 has done nothing to reduce alcohol use, but cigarette sales have slowed after an 80-cents-per-pack ... (read more)
Nebraska Governor Recommends No Increase in State Taxes
Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns (R) delivered his State of the State address on January 15. While he recommended no increase in state taxes, Johanns opened ... (read more)
Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns (R) delivered his State of the State address on January 15. While he recommended no increase in state taxes, Johanns opened ... (read more)
Oklahoma Teacher Salaries Compare Favorably to Other States
In May 2003 the National Education Association reported Oklahoma is “47th in the nation in public school teacher pay.” According to the NEA, “Oklahoma’s ... (read more)
In May 2003 the National Education Association reported Oklahoma is “47th in the nation in public school teacher pay.” According to the NEA, “Oklahoma’s ... (read more)
Oregon Voters Soundly Reject Tax Hike
Although most press attention focused on the seven Presidential primary elections taking place on February 3, the biggest political win on that date did ... (read more)
Although most press attention focused on the seven Presidential primary elections taking place on February 3, the biggest political win on that date did ... (read more)
Presidential Candidates Would Raise Federal Budget Deficit
If any of the Democratic Presidential candidates ultimately has his way, the federal budget deficit will grow dramatically, according to a study released ... (read more)
If any of the Democratic Presidential candidates ultimately has his way, the federal budget deficit will grow dramatically, according to a study released ... (read more)
Schwarzenegger Discusses Outsourcing Opportunities
In his January 6, 2004 State of the State speech, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) had some great lines, like, “If I can sell movies like ‘Red ... (read more)
In his January 6, 2004 State of the State speech, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) had some great lines, like, “If I can sell movies like ‘Red ... (read more)
Tax Fairness versus Tax Morality
Politicians talk about “tax fairness,” but never about tax morality. That’s because their notion of a fair tax is really an immoral tax, for it is based ... (read more)
Politicians talk about “tax fairness,” but never about tax morality. That’s because their notion of a fair tax is really an immoral tax, for it is based ... (read more)
Taxpayer Group Seeks to Save Feds $12.6 Million
February 5, 2004 The Honorable Tommy Thompson Secretary Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue SW Washington, DC 20201 Dear ... (read more)
February 5, 2004 The Honorable Tommy Thompson Secretary Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue SW Washington, DC 20201 Dear ... (read more)
What Is the FairTax?
The FairTax, pending in Congress as HR 25 and S 1493, is a non-partisan proposal that would abolish all federal income taxes, including payroll, self-employment, ... (read more)
The FairTax, pending in Congress as HR 25 and S 1493, is a non-partisan proposal that would abolish all federal income taxes, including payroll, self-employment, ... (read more)
