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
June 2005
Analysis: Did a Federal Court Decision Emasculate the IRS?
Robert Schulz has been battling the Internal Revenue Service for years. As head of the We the People Foundation for Constitutional Education, Schulz has ... (read more)
Robert Schulz has been battling the Internal Revenue Service for years. As head of the We the People Foundation for Constitutional Education, Schulz has ... (read more)
Analysis: Social Security and Medicare Are Unsustainable
In 2011, the first group of baby boomers in the United States will reach the age of 65. When the last of that generation retires in 2032, 77 million of ... (read more)
In 2011, the first group of baby boomers in the United States will reach the age of 65. When the last of that generation retires in 2032, 77 million of ... (read more)
Auditor Slams Illinois' Guardian Against Waste
An Illinois agency that claims to have saved taxpayers $600 million by reducing waste and fraud has itself wasted money, granted multi-million-dollar contracts ... (read more)
An Illinois agency that claims to have saved taxpayers $600 million by reducing waste and fraud has itself wasted money, granted multi-million-dollar contracts ... (read more)
Budget Discipline Collapses in Washington State
Exercising complete political control for the first time in years, Washington state Democrats pushed through a record $26 billion budget for the state’s ... (read more)
Exercising complete political control for the first time in years, Washington state Democrats pushed through a record $26 billion budget for the state’s ... (read more)
Budget to Affect Campaigns
Washington state's record $26 billion budget and tax increases are already being used to posture for the next election. Republicans hope the Democrats' ... (read more)
Washington state's record $26 billion budget and tax increases are already being used to posture for the next election. Republicans hope the Democrats' ... (read more)
CAFTA and Agriculture
The Bush administration has proposed an ambitious trade agenda by moving forward with several countries on Free Trade Agreements. Currently under negotiation ... (read more)
The Bush administration has proposed an ambitious trade agenda by moving forward with several countries on Free Trade Agreements. Currently under negotiation ... (read more)
Capitol Awash in Gambling Proposals
Since Gov. Luther Youngdahl rid Minnesota of slot machines and gambling devices in the 1940s, gambling has inched its way back into Minnesota--evolving ... (read more)
Since Gov. Luther Youngdahl rid Minnesota of slot machines and gambling devices in the 1940s, gambling has inched its way back into Minnesota--evolving ... (read more)
Delaware County Keeps $208 Million Surplus, Despite Ruling
Despite having a $208 million surplus and a court ruling that the funds were accumulated illegally, members of the New Castle County (Delaware) Council ... (read more)
Despite having a $208 million surplus and a court ruling that the funds were accumulated illegally, members of the New Castle County (Delaware) Council ... (read more)
Economists Back 'Fair Tax' Proposal
Scores of economists across the country have come out in support of the “Fair Tax” concept, giving a boost to supporters who are working to have at least ... (read more)
Scores of economists across the country have come out in support of the “Fair Tax” concept, giving a boost to supporters who are working to have at least ... (read more)
Federal Income Tax Hike Looms for Millions of Middle-Income Americans
The Alternative Minimum Tax, signed into law in 1978, is about to hit tens of millions of middle-income households with a tax originally meant to touch ... (read more)
The Alternative Minimum Tax, signed into law in 1978, is about to hit tens of millions of middle-income households with a tax originally meant to touch ... (read more)
Federal Spending Controls Disappearing
In introducing his proposed budget for the 2006 fiscal year, President George W. Bush spoke of his commitment to spending controls, even though the budget ... (read more)
In introducing his proposed budget for the 2006 fiscal year, President George W. Bush spoke of his commitment to spending controls, even though the budget ... (read more)
Free Trade Agreement Gains Support from Agriculture and Manufacturing
A new push for Congressional approval of the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) has officially begun. During April, separate ... (read more)
A new push for Congressional approval of the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) has officially begun. During April, separate ... (read more)
Gas Tax Diversions Cause Road Crisis in Illinois
Trying to balance the Illinois state budget by shifting highway funds into other government programs is creating a statewide “road crisis,” an unusual coalition ... (read more)
Trying to balance the Illinois state budget by shifting highway funds into other government programs is creating a statewide “road crisis,” an unusual coalition ... (read more)
Illinois Comptroller Warns Against Diversions
Diversions of state highway funds toward other purposes have become such a problem that Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes warned against them in his 2004 quarterly ... (read more)
Diversions of state highway funds toward other purposes have become such a problem that Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes warned against them in his 2004 quarterly ... (read more)
June 2005 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
As 2005 legislative sessions near a close in many states, the June issue of Budget & Tax News reports a flurry of activity on TELs and TABOR, budget deficits, ... (read more)
As 2005 legislative sessions near a close in many states, the June issue of Budget & Tax News reports a flurry of activity on TELs and TABOR, budget deficits, ... (read more)
Kentucky Kills Plan to Tax Retail Liquor Sales
A famous maker of Kentucky bourbon says a multimillion-dollar expansion of its distillery might proceed now that state lawmakers voted on March 9 to kill ... (read more)
A famous maker of Kentucky bourbon says a multimillion-dollar expansion of its distillery might proceed now that state lawmakers voted on March 9 to kill ... (read more)
Land Value Property Tax Under Consideration in Seven States
The unpopularity of the property tax is axiomatic, yet it remains the revenue source of choice for most local governments, including school districts. Sales ... (read more)
The unpopularity of the property tax is axiomatic, yet it remains the revenue source of choice for most local governments, including school districts. Sales ... (read more)
New Bush Plan for Social Security Gets Mixed Response
Reaction to President George W. Bush’s suggestion for a sliding scale of benefits for Social Security recipients has been mixed, with critics accusing the ... (read more)
Reaction to President George W. Bush’s suggestion for a sliding scale of benefits for Social Security recipients has been mixed, with critics accusing the ... (read more)
Ohio Groups Push for Limitation on State Taxes and Spending
A determined group of Ohio citizens, led by Ohio's Secretary of State, is moving forward with an effort to take a tax and expenditure limitation (TEL) measure ... (read more)
A determined group of Ohio citizens, led by Ohio's Secretary of State, is moving forward with an effort to take a tax and expenditure limitation (TEL) measure ... (read more)
Opposition to Expanded Gaming Grows in Minnesota
Faced with a $466 million budget shortfall, the lure of “easy money” is leading many political leaders in Minnesota, including Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, ... (read more)
Faced with a $466 million budget shortfall, the lure of “easy money” is leading many political leaders in Minnesota, including Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, ... (read more)
Reliance on 'Sin' Taxes Draws Opposition
As lawmakers look for ways to continue growing state budgets, they are increasingly turning to excise taxes, often known as "sin" taxes. In the past, ... (read more)
As lawmakers look for ways to continue growing state budgets, they are increasingly turning to excise taxes, often known as "sin" taxes. In the past, ... (read more)
Schwarzenegger Backs Public Pension Reform
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) continues to promise public employee pension reform but has backed away from a proposal to move public employees ... (read more)
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) continues to promise public employee pension reform but has backed away from a proposal to move public employees ... (read more)
State Nominated for Innovation Award
Just days before the Washington state legislature adopted the 2005-07 budget, Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) issued a news release highlighting Washington's ... (read more)
Just days before the Washington state legislature adopted the 2005-07 budget, Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) issued a news release highlighting Washington's ... (read more)
TABOR’s Future in Voters’ Hands
Colorado’s state House and Senate have sent a major tax increase to the voters for a decision by passing House Bill 1194, which will place an override of ... (read more)
Colorado’s state House and Senate have sent a major tax increase to the voters for a decision by passing House Bill 1194, which will place an override of ... (read more)
Tax Group Targets Spanish-American War Tax
Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) announced on March 10 that it would make repeal of a 107-year-old federal excise tax on telephone service a major priority ... (read more)
Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) announced on March 10 that it would make repeal of a 107-year-old federal excise tax on telephone service a major priority ... (read more)
Tax Incentives to Texas Competitor Frustrate North Carolina Firm
The owners of Pate Dawson Company, a Goldsboro, North Carolina food distributor that has been doing business in the state for 120 years, are wondering how ... (read more)
The owners of Pate Dawson Company, a Goldsboro, North Carolina food distributor that has been doing business in the state for 120 years, are wondering how ... (read more)
Time for a Truce in the Spanish-American War
One-hundred and seven years ago, the United States went to war with Spain. Because at that time telephones were still a luxury item owned largely by the ... (read more)
One-hundred and seven years ago, the United States went to war with Spain. Because at that time telephones were still a luxury item owned largely by the ... (read more)
Waste, Delays, and Danger
The "Rough Roads Ahead" report issued by the Transportation for Illinois Coalition said the effects of bad roads ripple through the economy. For example, ... (read more)
The "Rough Roads Ahead" report issued by the Transportation for Illinois Coalition said the effects of bad roads ripple through the economy. For example, ... (read more)
Welcome, New Readers!
If this is your first issue of Budget & Tax News, you are probably one of the 8,300 mayors, village presidents, city council members, and village board ... (read more)
If this is your first issue of Budget & Tax News, you are probably one of the 8,300 mayors, village presidents, city council members, and village board ... (read more)
Wisconsin's 'Balanced' Budget Running $1.9 Billion Deficit
Contrary to pronouncements from Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle (D) and the state's legislature that they had "fixed" the budget deficit in the summer of 2003, ... (read more)
Contrary to pronouncements from Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle (D) and the state's legislature that they had "fixed" the budget deficit in the summer of 2003, ... (read more)
