IL Gov. Wants More Tax Hikes to Solve Spending Problems

The risk involved in raising taxes in an election year is one reason why lawmakers might be reluctant to give Quinn's preferred plan the thumbs-up. 19 Apr 2012

RI Dem: Smokers Going Galt; Cut Cig Taxes

Rhode Island Democratic Rep. Robert Phillips is urging a $1 per pack cut to the state's cigarette tax. Meanwhile, the Ocean State's Independent governor, former Republican U.S. Senator Lincoln Chafee, is pushing for a 4-cent tobacco tax increase. 14 Apr 2012

Commerce Department Bureau Hacked into 'Bureaucratic Dark Ages'

This is not the first indicator of cybersecurity problems at Commerce, or within federal government departments more broadly. According to the Post, "Cyber-experts have repeatedly pointed to a lack of system security at the Commerce Department. The agency’s IT systems 'are constantly exposed to an increasing number of cyber attacks, which are becoming more sophisticated and more difficult to detect,' Inspector General Todd J. Zinser wrote last year." 11 Apr 2012

Gas prices Hit New Hampshire Cross-Border Sales

Specifically, high gas prices could be contributing to reduced cross-border cigarette sales, as purchasers from states like Maine and Massachusetts find it uneconomical to drive to New Hampshire to stock up, even with smokes selling for cheaper there than back home. 8 Apr 2012

Federal Court Tosses Out Colorado's 'Amazon Tax'

However, the law appears to have fallen afoul of a principle laid out in the Quill v North Dakota Supreme Court decision, which bars states from requiring such collection and remittance in the absence of congressional action on the grounds that such requirements would constitute an "undue burden." 4 Apr 2012

Homeland Security Makes Power-Grab for Sweeping Cybersecurity Authority

Backed by the White House and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Chief Janet Napolitano, Sen. Joseph Lieberman (ID-Conn.) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) have proposed a bill that would create a new regulatory regime empowering DHS to mandate cybersecurity standards for private firms. 29 Mar 2012

San Francisco Plastic Bag Ban to Go National?

San Francisco's Board of Supervisors earned the ignominy in 2007 of introducing the first legislative proscription of plastic bags in supermarkets and chain pharmacies. Last month, the same Board extended the landmark ban to all retail establishments and restaurants. North of 50 municipalities have taken similar action to eliminate the bags in the interim, either through an outright ban or taxes on those businesses that use them. 27 Mar 2012

Maryland Senate and House Split on Big Tobacco Tax Hikes

In a move that surprised some observers, Maryland's Senate recently passed a plan that, while raising taxes, increased tobacco taxes by a much more modest amount than pro-tax groups had hoped and some taxpayer advocates had feared. Maryland's House, meanwhile, has taken a far less moderate course, setting the stage for a showdown between differing approaches. 27 Mar 2012

Massive Amazon Tax FAIL in Illinois

The result? An actual decrease in use tax collected of over $11 million. Numbers given to Chicagoist by the Illinois Department of Revenue show that, in the period of January 2011 through June 2011, IDOR collected approximately $139 million in use tax. After the law went into effect on July 1, the total amount collected between then and the end of the year was approximately $127 million. 21 Mar 2012

Establishment Rep. Mica Seeks Out Primary Challenge With 'Tea Party' Freshman Rep. Adams

More than any other race in the country, this race provides the starkest contrast between the new brand of Tea Party conservatives and the “Old Bulls” of the free-spending pork-barrel Republican majorities of the last decade. In reality, the former was created in response to the latter. 15 Mar 2012