Crispus Attucks

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Budget & Tax News
June 2004
2004 Tax Freedom Day Earliest Since 1967
According to calculations by the Washington, DC-based Tax Foundation, Tax Freedom Day in 2004 was celebrated on April 11, the earliest in 37 years. This ... (read more)

Amended TABOR Measure Offered in Wisconsin
Relief from unfunded mandates, more generous spending limits for schools, and disincentives for the state to reduce local aids are all part of an amended ... (read more)

Chicago Cigarette Tax Hike Opens Door to Real Vice
The controversial Cook County, Illinois cigarette tax hike went into effect on May 1, pushing the price of a pack of smokes in Chicago to $6. Only New Yorkers ... (read more)

Colorado Governor Supports Tax-Free Internet Access
April 28, 2004 The Honorable William Frist Majority Leader, U.S. Senate S-230 U.S. Capitol Washington, DC 20515 Dear Majority Leader Frist: Thank ... (read more)

Colorado Stalls on TABOR, School Funding
The Colorado state legislature closed its general session on May 5 without addressing a growing conflict between two provisions of the state constitution. The ... (read more)

Elected Officials Nationwide Pledge to Oppose Tax Increases
According to Grover Norquist, president of the Washington, DC-based Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), 216 U.S. Representatives, 42 U.S. Senators, and more ... (read more)

Idaho, Kansas Update Liquor Laws
For the first time in more than 70 years, Idaho consumers can buy distilled spirits any day of the week. Governor Dirk Kempthorne (R) signed legislation ... (read more)

Illinois Chamber Sues to Stop Fee Increases
The Illinois State Chamber of Commerce filed suit on April 22 against the State of Illinois challenging the constitutionality of increased business fees ... (read more)

June 2004 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
The June issue of Budget & Tax News features the Tax Foundation's new report on Tax Freedom Day--celebrated this year on April 11, the earliest in 37 years, ... (read more)

Maryland Considering Express Toll Lanes
Maryland's Department of Transportation announced in early May it may establish a statewide system of express toll lanes, which department officials believe ... (read more)

Massachusetts Governor Calls for State Income Tax Cut
Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (R) on May 3 advocated a $225 million tax cut for the 2005 fiscal year, pointing to a resurgent economy that is sparking ... (read more)

Measure to Extend Marriage Penalty Relief Passes House
By an overwhelming bipartisan majority on April 28, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4181, a bill its supporters say would save millions of ... (read more)

Medicare, Social Security Need Big Changes for Young to Benefit
Medicare is running out of money--faster than anyone predicted. For the first time ever this year, the fund that pays seniors' hospital bills will pay out ... (read more)

Pennsylvania Governor Launches Statewide Privatization Initiative
A "strategic sourcing" initiative launched by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell (D) in late February has saved the state $50.5 million to date, although ... (read more)

Pro-Tax Republican Loses Primary Battle in Nebraska
In an upset victory on May 11, an anti-tax candidate brought down one of Nebraska's leading Republicans in a hotly contested primary election for an open ... (read more)

Schwarzenegger Signs Workers Comp Reform
At a Boeing Co. aircraft factory on April 19, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) signed SB 899, a bill reforming California's workers' compensation ... (read more)

Senate Passes Four-Year Internet Access Tax Ban
The U.S. Senate on April 29 overwhelmingly passed legislation (S. 150) that would extend for four years the recently expired Internet tax moratorium. Alison ... (read more)

Social Security Reform: Words Are Good but the American People Need Action
In his January 2004 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush reaffirmed his commitment to Social Security reform, saying, "Younger workers should ... (read more)

Study: Kerry Tax Plan Starts Class War
According to Financial Times columnist Amity Shlaes, "George W. Bush has a war, and now John F. Kerry has one too--a class war." At Georgetown University ... (read more)

Table: Tax Freedom Day by State and Rank
Tax Freedom Day by State and Rank, Selected Calendar Years, 1990-2004 State 1990 Tax Freedom Day 1995 Tax Freedom Day 2000 Tax Freedom Day 2004 Tax ... (read more)

Tax Relief Opponents Have Agendas of Their Own
According to a study released by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF) on May 3, "lawmakers who opposed House bill H.R. 4181 [in late April] to ... (read more)

Time to Reform Workers Comp in New York State, Governor Agrees
New York State employers, in a survey released by The Business Council of New York on April 19, overwhelmingly agree their workers' compensation costs have ... (read more)

Virginia Passes $1.6 Billion Tax Hike: Voters May Not Forget
After more than 100 days of a bitter legislative session, Virginia lawmakers on April 28 approved a two-year budget totaling $60 billion. The budget includes ... (read more)