Free Republic

Democrats in high-tax blue states are already plotting ways to avoid the new tax law, hoping to seize on gimmicks that will allow their residents to cut their federal tax burden without costing the states themselves any money. The Democrats are trying to get around a new $10,000 cap on how much of their state and local taxes residents can write off on their federal forms. High-tax states fear their residents will quickly top the $10,000 limit, leaving them grumbling over their higher tax bills. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has suggested switching some of his state’s tax collections from...

Migration from high-tax states to states with lower taxes and less government spending will dramatically alter the composition of future Congresses, according to a study by Americans for Tax Reform Eight states are projected to gain at least one congressional seat under reapportionment following the 2010 Census: Texas (four seats), Florida (two seats), Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah and Washington (one seat each). Their average top state personal income tax rate: 2.8 percent. By contrast, New York and Ohio are likely to lose two seats each, while Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania will be...

California may be going to pot - literally. Marijuana would be grown and sold openly to adults 21 and older under legislation introduced this morning by a San Francisco lawmaker. Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, said the cash-starved state could generate more than a billion dollars by taxing pot growers and sellers. Ammiano predicted that the public would support loosening marijuana laws that require substantial public funds to enforce. "I think there's a mentality throughout the state and the country that this isn't the highest priority," he said. "And that maybe we should start to reassess." Before California could legalize...

A letter from a Canadian: Please take the time to read it so you can do whatever you wish....research, verify, etc., but please read it. I saw on the news up here in Canada where Hillary Clinton introduced her new health care plan. Something similar to what we have in Canada. I also heard that Michael Moore was raving about the health care up here in Canada in his latest movie. As your friend and someone who lives with the Canada health care plan, I thought I would give you some facts about this great medical plan that we have...

IT IS AN axiom of commerce that economic development follows Interstate highways. Except in Vermont. A new study by University of Vermont economist Arthur Woolf has found that development that should have come along I-91 up the Connecticut River instead came across the river — in New Hampshire. The reason? Higher taxes and regulations in Vermont. “We’re seeing the gap grow larger and larger each time we do the study,”... “Those communities along the river are really feeling the impact now.” They are feeling the impact of taxes and regulations imposed in the 1960s and ’70s... Vermont border counties had...

Tax collections soar in December, shatter even rosy forecasts By BOB LEWIS Associated Press Friday, January 14, 2005 RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia collected nearly one-fifth more in taxes last month than it did the previous December, pushing general fund revenue growth for the first half of the budget year to 13 percent, far better than official forecasts. Total general fund revenues grew by 18.7 percent in December. Even without last year's tax increases, December growth would have reached 15.5 percent and year-to-date growth would have been 10.9 percent, Finance Secretary John M. Bennett said Friday in his monthly revenue report...

Virginia Education Association CLA - Urgent Action Needed, Contact Finance Committee Today Dear Cyber-lobbyist: House Finance Committee (the revenue committee) will consider all of the revenue enhancement (tax) bills on Wednesday afternoon. The rumor is they plan to clear as many as they can off the docket. Don't wait ! The time to contact members of the House Finance Committee is now ! MESSAGE TO FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Make certain that there is enough revenue to address the critical unmet needs in education. Vote Yes on Delegate Parish’s HB1081(the Governor’s plan), Delegate Dillard’s HB1270 (funding for the education of at-risk...

Click HERE to see related story. The NEA Teachers Union and other liberal groups (including the DNC) are urging members to CALL CONGRESS TODAY with a NO TAX CUTS message. Their toll free number to use is 1-888-280-6279 If 888-280-6279 is busy, call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.