Publications

Research & Commentary: Arizona Considers Hiking Minimum Wage to $12

Published July 14, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Arizona lawmakers are placing the issue of a proposed minimum-wage increase before voters. Arizona’s current minimum wage is $8.05, and the rate has been increased annually – based on inflation – after voter-initiated reforms passed in 2006.
Research & Commentary: Economic Development Programs Rarely Work, New York’s START-UP Is Latest Example

Published July 14, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
The growing failure of START-UP, New York State’s signature economic development plan, is just one example of the numerous state economic development programs that have failed to improve economic growth despite costing millions of dollars in taxes and
Research & Commentary: Illinois Needs to Reform Its Civil Asset Forfeiture Laws

Published July 13, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Analysts at the nonpartisan Institute for Justice (IJ) have given the State of Illinois’ civil asset forfeiture laws a grade of D-, one of the lowest grades in the country.
Research & Commentary: Pennsylvania Considers Unreliable Tobacco Tax Increase

Published July 12, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Pennsylvania legislators have been debating how to balance the state’s budget for several months. Initially, Gov.
Research & Commentary: New ‘High Income’ Tax Would Make Maine Less Competitive

Published July 1, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In an effort to increase education funding, Maine voters will soon consider a ballot initiative that would create a 3 percent tax on individuals’ taxable income above $200,000.
Research & Commentary: North Carolina Income Tax Cap

Published June 30, 2016

By The Heartland Institute

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Research and Commentaries -
In November, North Carolina voters will decide on an amendment to the state’s constitution that would place a 5.5 percent cap on corporate and personal income tax rates. Currently, the income tax rate is 5.75 percent and will decrease to 5.
Research & Commentary: New Jersey Considers Gas and Estate Tax Swap

Published June 17, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Consistent declines in gas tax revenue have left many states scrambling to fund the maintenance of their critical infrastructure, especially roads and bridges.
The Leaflet: States Battle Traffic Congestion

Published June 16, 2016

By Nathan Makla

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The Leaflet -
State and local lawmakers continue to deal with increased traffic congestion across the United States. In Chicago, a trip that would typically take 30 minutes in free-flowing traffic can now take more than 60 minutes during peak driving times.
Research & Commentary: Study Reports Health Benefits from E-cigarette Use

Published June 14, 2016

By The Heartland Institute

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Research and Commentaries -
In June, the British Medical Journal published a study that examined the “effectiveness and safety of electronic cigarettes at 24 months.” The study aimed to measure the “sustained abstinence from tobacco cigarettes and/or e-cigarettes over 24 months.
Research & Commentary: How States Should Regulate Fantasy Sports

Published June 14, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Online fantasy sports leagues have become increasingly popular over the past decade. According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association (FSTA), an estimated 56.
Research & Commentary: States Should Reform How They Budget

Published June 14, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
According to Liz Malm of Multistate Associates, 16 states are facing expected budget shortfalls in the 2016 and 2017 fiscal years. One of the primary causes of budget imbalance is the use of baseline budgeting.
The Leaflet: States Debate Internet Taxes

Published June 9, 2016

By Nathan Makla

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The Leaflet -
States are currently debating whether Internet purchases should be subject to a sales tax. In South Dakota, a court case is making headlines that could allow the state to collect sales taxes from online purchases.
Research & Commentary: Hiking California Tobacco Tax Will Increase Budget Deficits and Smuggling

Published June 6, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In November, California voters will consider a new ballot measure that would increase the state excise tax on cigarettes to $2.87 per pack. This would give California the nation’s ninth highest state tobacco tax.
Senate Bill 127: Expanding the Existing Charter School Cap

Published June 1, 2016

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Policy Studies -
Senate Bill 127, along with its companion, House Bill 936, is one of several bills put forward this session to expand the existing charter school cap in Texas. Th ough the tenants of SB 127 are simple, this is important legislation for Texas.
Research & Commentary: The Fiscal and Social Implications of Marijuana Legalization

Published June 1, 2016

By The Heartland Institute

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Research and Commentaries -
Since 2012, four states – Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington State – have legalized the retail sale of marijuana. Washington, DC has also approved the sale of marijuana, but it is currently waiting for congressional approval.
Research & Commentary: $15 Minimum Wage Will Hurt New Jersey Workers and Businesses

Published May 31, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Legislators in New Jersey are considering a substantial increase to the state’s minimum wage, increasing it from $8.38 per hour to the en vogue rate of $15 per hour. The wage would increase each year by either $1.
Research & Commentary: Massachusetts Considering Unreliable Millionaire Tax

Published May 31, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Massachusetts legislators recently voted to advance a change in the state’s constitution that would create a new 4 percent surtax on all incomes over $1 million. These tax dollars would be strictly allocated for public education and transportation.
Research & Commentary: Gas and Vehicle Taxes Burden Drivers, Don’t Fix Roads

Published May 18, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Consistent declines in gas tax revenue have left many states scrambling to fund the maintenance of their critical infrastructure, especially roads and bridges.
Research & Commentary: Gas Tax Increase is Not the Answer for Arkansas’ Roads

Published May 18, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Arkansas legislators are now considering a substantial increase in their state’s motor-fuel excise taxes. The plan would increase the gas and diesel taxes in order to pay for road and infrastructure improvements.
Research & Commentary: Attack on Nexus Standard Will Hurt Online Economy

Published May 18, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
The debate over internet sales taxes has reached a crucial crossroads.
Research & Commentary: Rhode Island Carbon Dioxide Tax Proposal

Published May 5, 2016

By Tim Benson

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Research and Commentaries -
Research & Commentary: Rhode Island Carbon Dioxide Tax ProposalA carbon dioxide tax proposal promoted by Energize Rhode Island was introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives on January 27.
Research & Commentary: Don’t Burden Illinois Drivers with Nation-High Gas Tax

Published May 3, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Illinois legislators are now considering a bill that would hike the state’s gasoline excise tax by 30 cents per gallon.
The Leaflet: Some States Still Await Tax Freedom

Published April 28, 2016

By Nathan Makla

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The Leaflet -
Tax Freedom Day (TFD) fell on April 24 in 2016. As the Tax Foundation explains in its annual report on TFD, “Tax Freedom Day is the day when the nation as a whole has earned enough money to pay off its total tax bill for the year.
Research & Commentary: Pennsylvania Needs Pension Reform

Published April 25, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Pennsylvania faces a serious and growing problem with its public pension systems. According to Pennsylvania’s own estimates, the total unfunded pension liability is set to grow by 38 percent, to $65 billion, in 2018.

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