Heartland Newspapers - Fiscal

Report: Pensions Biggest Culprit in States' $4 Trillion of Debt

Steve Stanek
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August 29, 2012
States have shrunk their budget deficits by half compared to one year ago, yet their debt levels remain nearly unchanged.

Behind-the-Scenes Lobbying for Agency Takeover of Chicago-area Transit

John Gann
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August 27, 2012
Urban planning activist George Ranney and the advocacy organization he heads, Metropolis Strategies, are campaigning for the seven-year-old Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) to take o

Chicago Starts Writing Tickets for Marijuana Possession

Ian Mason
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August 24, 2012
The City of Chicago has begun issuing tickets to persons found in possession of small amounts of marijuana.

State Tax Collections Top Pre-Recession Levels

John Skorburg
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August 20, 2012
Overall state tax collections have recovered from the Great Recession, according to a recent report from the Rockefeller Institute of Government at the University of Albany.

Employers Fear Jobs Losses from Michigan’s ‘Protect Our Jobs Amendment’

Mary Petrides Tillotson
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August 17, 2012
Michigan labor unions are working to land a “Protect Our Jobs Amendment” on the state’s November ballot.

Billions Taken from California’s Special Funds to Feed General Fund

Mary Petrides Tillotson
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August 16, 2012
California state government over the past few years has borrowed $4.3 billion from special funds that were designated for specific purposes to cover general fund expenses, according to an analysis

Occupational Licensing: Another Government Obstacle to Earning a Living

Byron Schlomach
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August 15, 2012
Do you have a love of fabric and furniture and a talent for decorating? In some states, it’s tough luck if you want to start a decorating business—unless you have a license.

Aug. 17 Special Session Bill Would Barely Dent Illinois’ Fiscal Fiasco

Ted Dabrowski
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August 13, 2012
The failure of Illinois’ legislators to pass a pension bill in June was actually good news.

Some Conservatives are Pushing for Carbon Tax Swaps

Taylor Smith
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August 11, 2012
Carbon taxes have reentered the political discussion amid reports former Congressman Bob Inglis (R-SC) is building support for a carbon tax swap that would eliminate subsidies for all energy compan

Foreclosures, Debt Forgiveness Could be Taxed Again Beginning January 1

John Skorburg
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August 08, 2012
Financially strapped homeowners stand to become even more downtrodden in 2013.
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