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
September 2005
'Dr. No' Consistently Fights for Tax and Spending Restraint
Minnesota State Rep. Phil Krinkie is a Republican and successful businessman from Lino Lakes who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1990, ... (read more)
Minnesota State Rep. Phil Krinkie is a Republican and successful businessman from Lino Lakes who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1990, ... (read more)
'Living Wage' Laws Don't Help Low-Income Families
In July, Sonoma, California passed an ordinance requiring certain employers to pay $11.70 an hour with health benefits or $13.20 without health benefits, ... (read more)
In July, Sonoma, California passed an ordinance requiring certain employers to pay $11.70 an hour with health benefits or $13.20 without health benefits, ... (read more)
AFL-CIO Defections May Weaken Unions' Influence
The defection of two major unions from the AFL-CIO has stirred questions about the possible impact on local, state, and national tax and budget policies. The ... (read more)
The defection of two major unions from the AFL-CIO has stirred questions about the possible impact on local, state, and national tax and budget policies. The ... (read more)
Americans, Left and Right, Work to Counter Kelo Decision
Controversial Supreme Court decisions animate much of American history, but few have been so widely condemned as the Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling in the case ... (read more)
Controversial Supreme Court decisions animate much of American history, but few have been so widely condemned as the Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling in the case ... (read more)
As Michigan's Cigarette Tax Climbs, Trafficking Surges
With a cigarette tax of $2 a pack, fourth-highest in the nation, after another increase took effect on July 1, Michigan has been making a name for itself ... (read more)
With a cigarette tax of $2 a pack, fourth-highest in the nation, after another increase took effect on July 1, Michigan has been making a name for itself ... (read more)
Battle over Washington State Spending Limits Law Continues in Court
Four days after the Washington Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit asking to protect voters' right to file a referendum on legislative actions, groups representing ... (read more)
Four days after the Washington Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit asking to protect voters' right to file a referendum on legislative actions, groups representing ... (read more)
Bills Send Social Security Surplus to Private Accounts
A movement to allow workers to put a portion of their payroll tax dollars into an account they own and could pass on to heirs is taking hold in Washington, ... (read more)
A movement to allow workers to put a portion of their payroll tax dollars into an account they own and could pass on to heirs is taking hold in Washington, ... (read more)
Chicago Taxes Keep Climbing, This Time for School Funding
Chicago public school officials on July 27 approved what they called a "bare bones" budget that imposes a maximum allowable 1.9 percent property tax increase, ... (read more)
Chicago public school officials on July 27 approved what they called a "bare bones" budget that imposes a maximum allowable 1.9 percent property tax increase, ... (read more)
Congress Considers Beer a Luxury--But Not Mink Coats, Private Jets, or Yachts
President George H.W. Bush and Congress in 1990 raised a host of excise taxes on "luxury" items including expensive cars, fur coats, jewelry, yachts, and ... (read more)
President George H.W. Bush and Congress in 1990 raised a host of excise taxes on "luxury" items including expensive cars, fur coats, jewelry, yachts, and ... (read more)
Gas Tax Increase Will Go Before Wash. Voters
Washington state voters will get a chance this November to repeal a gasoline tax increase lawmakers passed at the end of the spring legislative session. Volunteers ... (read more)
Washington state voters will get a chance this November to repeal a gasoline tax increase lawmakers passed at the end of the spring legislative session. Volunteers ... (read more)
Government Unions Spend Lavishly on Politics
Government employee unions put much more time, money, and effort into politics than do their private-sector counterparts. One simple measure of this is ... (read more)
Government employee unions put much more time, money, and effort into politics than do their private-sector counterparts. One simple measure of this is ... (read more)
Iowa: Small State with a Big Tax Watchdog Group
Iowa may be one of the smallest states--just five congressional districts and a population of 2.94 million--but it can boast the nation's largest state ... (read more)
Iowa may be one of the smallest states--just five congressional districts and a population of 2.94 million--but it can boast the nation's largest state ... (read more)
Minnesota Lawmaker Is 'Hero of the Taxpayer'
For standing up for taxpayers in a hard-fought budget battle, Minnesota State Rep. Phil Krinkie (R-Lino Lakes) was named "Hero of the Taxpayer" by Americans ... (read more)
For standing up for taxpayers in a hard-fought budget battle, Minnesota State Rep. Phil Krinkie (R-Lino Lakes) was named "Hero of the Taxpayer" by Americans ... (read more)
No 46,000% Return for Social Security Recipients
The Social Security system, also known as Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI), was enacted in 1935. In 1940, the first benefit check, for ... (read more)
The Social Security system, also known as Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI), was enacted in 1935. In 1940, the first benefit check, for ... (read more)
Ohio Spending Cap Delayed Until 2006 Ballot
A referendum for a constitutional amendment to cap state and local government spending that appeared headed for the November 8 ballot in Ohio has been held ... (read more)
A referendum for a constitutional amendment to cap state and local government spending that appeared headed for the November 8 ballot in Ohio has been held ... (read more)
Outsourced Flight Services to Save $2.2 Billion
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expects taxpayers to save $2.2 billion over the next 10 years, thanks to a contract with Lockheed Martin that ... (read more)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expects taxpayers to save $2.2 billion over the next 10 years, thanks to a contract with Lockheed Martin that ... (read more)
Poll Shows Falling Support for Unions
Barely one in three non-union workers would consider voting to unionize their workplace, while a 56 percent majority would not, according to a Zogby/Public ... (read more)
Barely one in three non-union workers would consider voting to unionize their workplace, while a 56 percent majority would not, according to a Zogby/Public ... (read more)
Project Stems from Supreme Court Ruling
In 1992 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled states could not require sellers that do not have a physical presence or "nexus" within the same state as the consumer ... (read more)
In 1992 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled states could not require sellers that do not have a physical presence or "nexus" within the same state as the consumer ... (read more)
September 2005 Budget & Tax News (PDF)
According to U.S. Census Bureau figures, reported in the September 2005 issue of Budget & Tax News, state tax revenues are climbing much faster than initial ... (read more)
According to U.S. Census Bureau figures, reported in the September 2005 issue of Budget & Tax News, state tax revenues are climbing much faster than initial ... (read more)
State Network to Collect Cross-Border Sales Tax
An 18-state network for the voluntary collection of taxes on goods sold over the Internet or through the mail has been created by the Streamlined Sales ... (read more)
An 18-state network for the voluntary collection of taxes on goods sold over the Internet or through the mail has been created by the Streamlined Sales ... (read more)
State Tax Revenues Skyrocket in Early 2005
State tax revenues are climbing much faster than initial estimates in most states, according to a U.S. Census Bureau survey. Total state tax revenues ... (read more)
State tax revenues are climbing much faster than initial estimates in most states, according to a U.S. Census Bureau survey. Total state tax revenues ... (read more)
Tax-Hike Votes Haunt Some Virginia Republicans
In June, Virginia voters selected the state's House of Delegates candidates for the fall elections. It was the first election since Virginia lawmakers passed ... (read more)
In June, Virginia voters selected the state's House of Delegates candidates for the fall elections. It was the first election since Virginia lawmakers passed ... (read more)
Taxes, Spending Climb After Minn. Shutdown
The 2005 legislative session proved to be brutal for Minnesota taxpayers and Republican lawmakers. Senate Democrats, smarting from policy losses over ... (read more)
The 2005 legislative session proved to be brutal for Minnesota taxpayers and Republican lawmakers. Senate Democrats, smarting from policy losses over ... (read more)
Ten Commandments for Budget Health
Economics professor Richard Vedder of Ohio University compiled in 2002 a top 10 list of commandments for moderate state tax revenue growth and healthy state ... (read more)
Economics professor Richard Vedder of Ohio University compiled in 2002 a top 10 list of commandments for moderate state tax revenue growth and healthy state ... (read more)
Tenn. Town’s TABOR Pays Off for Taxpayers
Unlike government officials in many fast-growing communities, who point to growing demands on services to maintain or hike taxes, the city of Spring Hill, ... (read more)
Unlike government officials in many fast-growing communities, who point to growing demands on services to maintain or hike taxes, the city of Spring Hill, ... (read more)
Working for 'Right to Vote' on Most Taxes
Iowans for Tax Relief's big push now is for the People's Right to Vote Amendment, which ITR secretary Jeffrey Boeyink said would give the people of Iowa ... (read more)
Iowans for Tax Relief's big push now is for the People's Right to Vote Amendment, which ITR secretary Jeffrey Boeyink said would give the people of Iowa ... (read more)
