June 2008 Budget & Tax News

The June 2008 issue of Budget & Tax News features a series of articles addressing unionization of public- and private-sector labor, prevailing-wage rules, and labor union finances.

On page 1:

• Sales taxes in the Chicago area could climb $1 billion this year, making Chicago the most expensive city in the United States in which to shop and dine.

• The Virginia Supreme Court has unanimously ruled $300 million in new taxes levied by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority are unconstitutional.

• New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine proposed a FY 2009 budget that would spend slightly less than the $33.5 billion allocated for the current fiscal year.

• The government of Manitowoc County, Wisconsin has lowered its health care costs and improved coverage for its employees by adopting Health Savings Accounts.

Also in this issue: veto news from Minnesota and Wisconsin; tax cap under siege in Washington; climate change proposals in North Carolina; and tobacco taxes, postal service reform, airport privatization, phone taxes and regulations, economic development in Michigan, and freight rail.