Publications
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Research & Commentary: Return of the ‘Unfair’ Tax
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Illinois General Assembly is once again considering moving the state away from a flat tax system to a progressive tax system. -
The Leaflet: ALEC Releases New ‘Rich States, Poor States’ Report
Publication -The Leaflet -For the ninth year in a row, Utah earned the top ranking for economic outlook in the newest edition of the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) Rich States, Poor States report. The study was written by economist Arthur B. Laffer, Ph.D. -
Research & Commentary: Illinois School Funding Plan
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Members of the Illinois Senate introduced an amendment to a school funding bill on April 6 that would change the formula to determine state aid to school districts. -
Research & Commentary: Illinois School Funding Plan
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Members of the Illinois Senate introduced an amendment to a school funding bill on April 6 that would change the formula to determine state aid to school districts. -
Research & Commentary: Maryland Considers the Flat Tax
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Maryland legislators are in the midst of a major discussion on tax reform, one that includes corporate income tax reform and the possible implementation of a flat tax, which would replace the state’s current personal income tax structure, eliminating -
Research & Commentary: Hiking Missouri’s Gas Tax Will Not Solve Road Funding Woes
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Missouri legislators are now considering a substantial increase in their state’s motor-fuel taxes. The tax hike, proposed by state Sen. -
Policy Tip Sheet: Alabama Welfare Reform Policies
Publication -Policy Tip Sheets -Alabama Welfare Reform Problem Alabama’s current set of welfare and anti-poverty programs disincentivize work, trapping welfare recipients in long-term poverty. -
Research & Commentary: Alabama Gas Tax Increase Not a Solution for Road Funding
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Alabama legislators are now considering a major increase in the state’s gasoline excise tax. Under the new proposal, the state’s gas tax would increase by 6 cents per gallon, from 18 cents to 24 cents. This is in addition to the 18. -
The Leaflet: Popularity of Short-Term Renting is Exploding
Publication -The Leaflet -In a recent Mackinac Center for Public Policy blog post, Policy Analyst Jarrett Skorup says the popularity of short-term rental services is “exploding”: “Short-term renting is exploding in popularity. -
The Leaflet: Popularity of Short-Term Renting is Exploding
Publication -The Leaflet -In a recent Mackinac Center for Public Policy blog post, Policy Analyst Jarrett Skorup says the popularity of short-term rental services is “exploding”: “Short-term renting is exploding in popularity. -
Introducing ‘Article V 2.0’: The Compact for a Balanced Budget
Publication -Policy Studies -As the federal debt approaches $18 trillion, a balanced budget amendment has emerged as one of few viable options to curb government spending. The Article V process for amending the U.S. Constitution, however, is long and tedious. -
Research & Commentary: Do Right-to-Work Laws Cause Income Inequality?
Publication -Research and Commentaries -West Virginia recently became the 27th right-to-work (RTW) state, and several other states are now considering becoming the 28th. -
Research & Commentary: How Do Electronic Cigarettes Affect Adolescent Smoking
Publication -Research and Commentaries -A study published by a Yale researcher in April 2015 examines the causal impact of access to electronic cigarettes, commonly called “e-cigarettes,” on teen smoking and questions whether state bans raise or reduce teen smoking rates. -
The Leaflet: Right-to-Work Momentum Continues
Publication -The Leaflet -Earlier in March, West Virginia became the 26th state to enact right-to-work (RTW) legislation. RTW laws allow private sector employees to opt out of union membership. -
Research & Commentary: Maryland Corporate Income Tax Reform
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Research shows new taxes have a stronger effect on a state’s economy than corporate income taxes, and high corporate income taxes are a deterrent to economic development, discouraging new businesses and high-income earners from moving into a new market -
Research & Commentary: Wolf’s Latest Tax Plan Falls Short, Again
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) has introduced a set of new tax and spending increases as part of his $33 billion state budget proposal. -
Research & Commentary: Hall Tax Debate Reemerges in Tennessee
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The debate over Tennessee’s Hall tax has generated several new pieces of legislation that would eliminate, lower, or narrow the scope of this 87-year-old tax on income from investments. -
Testimony Before the Alabama Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Senate Committee
Publication -Testimony -IntroductionIn 2015, in partnership with Gary MacDougal, a nationally recognized author and expert on welfare reform, The Heartland Institute published volume two of its Welfare Reform Report Card. -
Testimony before the Maryland House Economic Matters Committee on Right to Work
Publication -Testimony -Testimony before the Maryland House Economic Matters CommitteeMarch 8, 2016Jesse Hathaway, Managing Editor of Budget & Tax News, The Heartland Institute Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to testify today. -
Research & Commentary: Florida Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Florida lawmakers are considering two new proposals that would dramatically change Florida’s civil asset forfeiture laws. -
Research & Commentary: Florida Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Florida lawmakers are considering two new proposals that would dramatically change Florida’s civil asset forfeiture laws. -
Research & Commentary: Georgia Welfare Reform
Publication -Research and Commentaries -A proposal from State Senator Hunter Hill (Republican - Atlanta) to reform Georgia’s welfare system would implement a cash diversion plan and enact stronger work requirements for some of the state’s welfare programs. -
Research & Commentary: Moving Florida Away from Pensions for State Workers
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Florida legislators are now considering a new pension reform proposal that would place newly hired state, county, K–12, and higher-education workers into a 401(k)-style defined-contribution retirement plan, unless they explicitly request to be enrolled -
Research & Commentary: Oklahoma Gov. Fallin’s Tax Plan Chooses Wrong Reforms
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) recently proposed two major tax increases, along with several changes to state spending, in her 2016 State of the State address. Fallin’s tax plan would increase the state’s cigarette excise tax by $1.
