State and local tax news — from state income tax quirks to property tax fights, because not all tax battles happen in Washington.
If, at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. And again. And potentially, again. Despite being spurned not once but twice with vetoes from New Jersey Governor Christie (R), Democrats in the New Jersey Assembly are trying again to impose a “millionaire’s tax” in the state. The proposal would increase the tax rate by nearly…
Last week, voters in California were split on a measure that would impose a $1 per pack excise tax on cigarettes. Despite more than $60 million in advertising pumped into calling attention to the measure, referred to as Proposition 29, voters weren’t swayed one way or the other: the vote remained split up until the…
If New York City Mayor Bloomberg gets his way, it will soon be a lot more expensive to light up in California. Yes, that Mayor Bloomberg, the same one that proposed a ban on sugary sodas this week. And yes, that California, three thousand miles away from New York City. On Tuesday, California voters will…
This morning, I passed a runner on the trail carrying an open can of Mountain Dew. And you know what I was thinking, right? How had she not spilled it on herself? The actual beverage didn’t phase me at all. I could care less if she felt the need to drink a big can of…
Last night, the Minnesota House voted 73-58 to approve a public-private venture to build a new football stadium. The move happened after lawmakers adjusted the private contribution piece to a higher number, requiring the team’s owners to kick in more of their own funds and lessening the burden on taxpayers in the state of Minnesota…
The 2012 NFL season is set to open in 121 days (not that I’m counting or anything). The game opener will be a showdown between my own Philadelphia Eagles rivals: the defending Super Bowl XLVI champion New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys. I think we know how this one is going to end already….
Two years ago, I wrote my very first piece for Forbes. The article, titled Tax Amnesty Works Without Big Brother, was the result of criticisms I had levied at the PA Department of Revenue for its heavy-handed treatment of taxpayers as part of the Commonwealth’s amnesty program. The amnesty program, which ran in 2010, went…
When I was a teenager, as soon as I was able, I rushed down to our local library to register to vote. In North Carolina, you can register to vote before you turn 18, so long as you’ll turn 18 by the next general election. And I wanted to be ready. I have always understood…
When you think post-apocalyptic North America, you think western North Carolina, right? That’s what Lionsgate Entertainment is betting on. On March 23, the über-hyped Hunger Games will open worldwide. The movie is expected to make millions for Lionsgate Entertainment and author Suzanne Collins despite being made on a relatively shoestring budget for a project of…
“It’s hard. I am struggling.” That’s how Amanda Clayton justified her use of taxpayer-funded benefits – after winning $1 million in the Michigan lottery. Until last Wednesday, Clayton was still collecting state benefits after winning big on the Michigan Lottery’s “Make Me Rich!” television show. Clayton, who is a single mom of two, continued to…