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 2004
'Shift-and-Shaft' Tax Proposal Ekes out Win in Michigan
Michigan real estate owners will have to pay part of their county property taxes five months sooner next year, a move that amounts to a tax increase, according ... (read more)
Michigan real estate owners will have to pay part of their county property taxes five months sooner next year, a move that amounts to a tax increase, according ... (read more)
Black Caucus Member Proposes to Eliminate Personal, Corporate Income Taxes
A member of the Congressional Black Caucus is advocating a tax plan that could make the Internal Revenue Service obsolete. Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) ... (read more)
A member of the Congressional Black Caucus is advocating a tax plan that could make the Internal Revenue Service obsolete. Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) ... (read more)
Casino Taxes Up, Jobs Down in Detroit
An increase in the Michigan casino tax, aimed at helping to balance the state budget, has led to job losses in the greater Detroit region. On September ... (read more)
An increase in the Michigan casino tax, aimed at helping to balance the state budget, has led to job losses in the greater Detroit region. On September ... (read more)
Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Targeted Tax Incentive in Ohio
Tax incentives that states across the country have used to retain businesses and attract new business investment are illegal, according to a ruling issued ... (read more)
Tax incentives that states across the country have used to retain businesses and attract new business investment are illegal, according to a ruling issued ... (read more)
Florida Tax Appraisers Ask for Relief for Storm Victims
Osceola County Appraiser Bob Day echoed the sentiments of many county appraisers around the state in September when he said some tax relief should be offered ... (read more)
Osceola County Appraiser Bob Day echoed the sentiments of many county appraisers around the state in September when he said some tax relief should be offered ... (read more)
Florida, Ohio Lawmakers Share 'Porker of the Month' Award
For attempting to keep members of the House of Representatives from questioning the funding of controversial grants to the National Institutes of Health ... (read more)
For attempting to keep members of the House of Representatives from questioning the funding of controversial grants to the National Institutes of Health ... (read more)
Historic East Texas Town Approves Beer and Wine Sales
Residents of picturesque Palestine, Texas went to the polls on September 11 and approved, by a 52 to 48 percent vote, the "legal sales of beer and wine ... (read more)
Residents of picturesque Palestine, Texas went to the polls on September 11 and approved, by a 52 to 48 percent vote, the "legal sales of beer and wine ... (read more)
IRS Increases Pressure on Taxpayers
Recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) data show the agency is returning to the more stringent enforcement levels of the early and mid-1990s, but the oversight ... (read more)
Recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) data show the agency is returning to the more stringent enforcement levels of the early and mid-1990s, but the oversight ... (read more)
It's Time to End State Tax Giveaways
A few years ago, hotel giant Marriott International "hinted" that it was looking to move its headquarters out of Maryland's Montgomery County. Virginia ... (read more)
A few years ago, hotel giant Marriott International "hinted" that it was looking to move its headquarters out of Maryland's Montgomery County. Virginia ... (read more)
Michigan Legislators Extend State's Gasoline Tax
Michigan lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a two-year gasoline tax extension on September 28, even though the reason for the tax no longer exists. House ... (read more)
Michigan lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a two-year gasoline tax extension on September 28, even though the reason for the tax no longer exists. House ... (read more)
New York Governor Vetoes $1.8 billion from Budget
New York Gov. George Pataki vetoed $1.8 billion from the budget approved by the state legislature August 11--more than four months past deadline--and said ... (read more)
New York Gov. George Pataki vetoed $1.8 billion from the budget approved by the state legislature August 11--more than four months past deadline--and said ... (read more)
New York Think Tank Launches 'Blog' on Upstate Economy
The Public Policy Institute of New York State, a nonprofit think tank affiliated with the Business Council of New York State, has launched a new weblog ... (read more)
The Public Policy Institute of New York State, a nonprofit think tank affiliated with the Business Council of New York State, has launched a new weblog ... (read more)
November 2004 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
The November 2004 issue of Budget & Tax News reports the U.S. Supreme Court will decide the constitutionality of local governments using eminent domain ... (read more)
The November 2004 issue of Budget & Tax News reports the U.S. Supreme Court will decide the constitutionality of local governments using eminent domain ... (read more)
Presidential Candidates' Proposals Would Bust Budget, Study Finds
There's a saying that talk is cheap, but an analysis issued September 7 by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF) shows that when politicians do ... (read more)
There's a saying that talk is cheap, but an analysis issued September 7 by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF) shows that when politicians do ... (read more)
Recent Popular Votes to Oppose/Repeal Tax Increases
California Proposal to weaken California's tough, two-thirds supermajority requirement to raise taxes would have led to billions in new taxes. ... (read more)
California Proposal to weaken California's tough, two-thirds supermajority requirement to raise taxes would have led to billions in new taxes. ... (read more)
State Alcohol Sales Roundup
While some states are dropping prohibitions against Sunday liquor sales, making their purchase more convenient, state and local governments are also continuing ... (read more)
While some states are dropping prohibitions against Sunday liquor sales, making their purchase more convenient, state and local governments are also continuing ... (read more)
States OK Sunday Spirits Sales to Increase Tax Revenue, Consumer Convenience
Ohio and Kentucky recently joined the growing list of states that have rolled back Sunday spirits sales prohibitions in order to increase consumer convenience ... (read more)
Ohio and Kentucky recently joined the growing list of states that have rolled back Sunday spirits sales prohibitions in order to increase consumer convenience ... (read more)
Supreme Court to Decide Whether Higher Tax Receipts Should Trump Property Rights
The practice of local governments seizing middle-income citizens' homes and small businesses and turning them over to others to generate more tax revenue ... (read more)
The practice of local governments seizing middle-income citizens' homes and small businesses and turning them over to others to generate more tax revenue ... (read more)
Tax Fighter Wins Big over Wisconsin Senate Leader
When Wisconsin Assemblyman Glenn Grothman decided to challenge State Senate Majority Leader Mary Panzer in the September 14 Republican Party primary election, ... (read more)
When Wisconsin Assemblyman Glenn Grothman decided to challenge State Senate Majority Leader Mary Panzer in the September 14 Republican Party primary election, ... (read more)
Tax-and-Spend Policies Costing Politicians Their Careers
During this year's election primary season, the issue of taxation was a decisive factor in races across the country. Numerous incumbents who had voted to ... (read more)
During this year's election primary season, the issue of taxation was a decisive factor in races across the country. Numerous incumbents who had voted to ... (read more)
Taxpayer Bill of Rights Movement Gains Momentum
If anyone in Wisconsin politics thought the tax revolt was going away, that person was wrong. In fact, rather than dying out, it appears to be spreading. ... (read more)
If anyone in Wisconsin politics thought the tax revolt was going away, that person was wrong. In fact, rather than dying out, it appears to be spreading. ... (read more)
Taxpayers Win in this Year's Primaries
Results for key races where tax hikers were defeated high-tax candidates highlighted in red: ARIZONA H-4 Carole Hubbs 25.4% Tom Boone 39% H-6 Clancy ... (read more)
Results for key races where tax hikers were defeated high-tax candidates highlighted in red: ARIZONA H-4 Carole Hubbs 25.4% Tom Boone 39% H-6 Clancy ... (read more)
Ten Years After GOP Takeover, Trend to Spend Still Shaping Congress
For every spending cut introduced during the first 18 months of this 108th Congress, there were more than 20 bills to increase spending. The most enthusiastic ... (read more)
For every spending cut introduced during the first 18 months of this 108th Congress, there were more than 20 bills to increase spending. The most enthusiastic ... (read more)
Upstate New York Taxpayers Pay up to $6 Billion in Extra Taxes, Study Finds
Upstate New York taxpayers paid as much as $6 billion more in state and local taxes than they would in an average state, mostly because of the state's far-above-average ... (read more)
Upstate New York taxpayers paid as much as $6 billion more in state and local taxes than they would in an average state, mostly because of the state's far-above-average ... (read more)
Virginia Republicans Propose Trust Fund for Transportation Improvements
Thirteen northern Virginia Republican lawmakers have proposed a revolving trust fund to leverage tax revenues to provide more than $5 billion over the next ... (read more)
Thirteen northern Virginia Republican lawmakers have proposed a revolving trust fund to leverage tax revenues to provide more than $5 billion over the next ... (read more)
