Recent Research: Budgets and Taxes

When Will The Recession End?

Greg Kaza
June 5, 2009

(June 5, 2009) The most frequent question we hear is: 'When will the recession end?'1 Last May 2 we announced the U.S. economy entered recession in January 2008. Our forecast missed by one month. The National Bureau of Economic Research declared Dec. 1, 2008, that economic activity peaked in December 2007. 3

Looking in the Wrong Places

Taxing The Rich Will Bankrupt Your State

John Nothdurft
June 2, 2009

Lawmakers in at least eight states are considering raising income tax rates on a small percentage of top income-earners in order to shore up their state budgets.

“Sin Taxes” Are Flawed Tax Policy

John Nothdurft
April 15, 2009

More than 20 states are considering “sin taxes”—such as excise taxes on tobacco, beer, and spirits—in order to shore up their budget deficits.

Research & Commentary: April Fool’s Day Tobacco Tax Hike—The Joke’s On States

John Nothdurft
April 1, 2009

A 62-cent increase in the federal excise tax on tobacco products, intended to fund the expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), goes into effect April 1.

Illinois Cannot Afford Governor Quinn’s Budget

John Nothdurft
March 25, 2009

Tough decisions are a part of governing, and Illinois’ $11.5 billion budget shortfall will undoubtedly force many of them.

Research & Commentary: The Best And Worst Ways To Eliminate A Budget Deficit

John Nothdurft
February 20, 2009

Research & Commentary: The Best And Worst Ways to Eliminate a Budget Deficit

What A Smoking Ban Would Mean For Indiana

John Nothdurft
February 5, 2009

While Indiana’s legislature and citizens debate the merits of a draconian statewide smoking ban, business owners are already taking steps to balance the wishes of the smoking and nonsmoking populat

Federal Cigarette Tax Increase Unfit for SCHIP

John Nothdurft
January 12, 2009

Proposals to increase the federal cigarette tax by 61 cents (156 percent), in order to pay for an expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), are problematic.

Virginia Needs Spending Reform, Not Higher Cigarette Taxes

John Nothdurft
December 18, 2008

For years tobacco consumers have been flocking to Virginia to take advantage of the 30 cents-per-pack cigarette tax in order to avoid taxes in Maryland and Washington, DC, where the tax is currentl

Credit Default Swaps

Matthew Glans
Matthew Glans
November 25, 2008