State Policy Groups

Budget - Chicago - Children - Dan Proft - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Government - Illinois - Liberals - Public Employees Unions - Taxes - Teachers Unions - The Heartland Institute

My Latest for School Reform News: 2011 Looks Good for Reformers

March 19, 2011 by

-By Dan Proft

In political terms 2010 may have been the year of the Tea Party movement, but in policy terms it was the year of school choice. And with courageous reformers at the helm of several states, 2011 could be even better.

Last year, school choice moved beyond the think tanks and policy journals and squarely into popular culture.

The first annual National School Choice Week in late January was a fitting recognition that the issue has been successfully entered the zeitgeist even as education remains mainly (and appropriately) a state and local issue.
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My Latest for School Reform News: 2011 Looks Good for Reformers”

Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Freedom Works - Government - Liberals - Scott Walker - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston - Washington D.C. - Wisconsin

We Won Wisconsin – But the Fight Goes On

March 18, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

We may have won a small victory in Wisconsin with the brave work of Governor Scott Walker and his state’s Republican leadership but there is a greater battle looming. There is a bigger crisis coming for the states as the major troubles of pensions/unfunded liabilities/debts come to a head and the unions are pushing hard to force us all to pay them off instead of reform it all.

Video courtesy of FreedomWorks.
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We Won Wisconsin – But the Fight Goes On”

Budget - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Taxes - Truth in Accounting - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Legislative Leaders Fail To Obey Budget Law

March 18, 2011 by

From The Institute for Truth in Accounting…

(Chicago, March 17, 2011) – On every third Wednesday in March Illinois’ House and Senate are required to adopt a joint resolution that is equivalent to a family deciding how much it will have available to spend in next year’s budget. The day was yesterday, March 16, and just like the past three years the legislators blatantly ignored the law.

“This law is in place because only after understanding your funds available can you decide how much to spend,” asserted Sheila Weinberg, founder & CEO of the Institute for Truth in Accounting. “This is the first step in budgeting. Our legislators need to follow this law and take Budgeting 101.”

The Illinois Constitution provides that the general assembly can only spend the “funds estimated to be available” for the budget year. State statute 25ILCS 155/4 requires the Commission on Government Finance and Accountability (CGFA) to submit to the legislature an estimate of that amount. The House and Senate may debate the accuracy of the CGFA figure, but the legislators must adopt some estimate of the funds available to be spend in the fiscal year 2012.
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Illinois Legislative Leaders Fail To Obey Budget Law”

Chicago - Cities - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Ethics - Government - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Lisa Madigan - Michael Madigan - Warner Todd Huston

Criminal Element: Ill. Democrat Was Convicted Felon Before Being Elected

March 17, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

It has been revealed that Illinois State Representative Robert Rita was a convicted felon before he ever ran for office for the fist time, a violation of state law. Being a convicted felon should have barred him from even running for office.

Lee Williams of the Illinois Policy Institute tells us that Rita, a Blue Island Democrat and a five-term state rep., has always been ineligible to seek elected office, absent a pardon.

Rita was convicted of DUI and attempted bribery in Nye County, Nevada in 1991. Lee Williams reports that this was confirmed by Jamie Kostiuk, a Nye County records clerk. Hard copies of the files, though, could not be located.

Lee Williams, however, tracked down some other sources of the conviction.
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Criminal Element: Ill. Democrat Was Convicted Felon Before Being Elected”

Americans For Prosperity - Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Ethics - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Warner Todd Huston

AFP Illinois: Stop ‘Pay to Play’ Appointment Now!‏

March 17, 2011 by

From the Illinois chapter of Americans for Prosperity…

Your voices are being heard! After nearly 10 weeks on the taxpayer’s dime, the Senate Executive Appointment Committee will be voting on Careen Gordon “Pay to Play” appointment to an $85,000 a year spot on the Prisoner Review Board.

Now is the time to contact the Senate Executive Appointment Committee and tell them to vote “NO” on the appointment of Careen Gordon! We need to take action today as the scheduled hearing is tomorrow at 9am!

In case you missed it, last week AFP asked our members to contact the Senate Executive Appointments Committee and demand that they hold a hearing on the appointment of Careen Gordon to an $85,000 a year spot on the Prisoner Review Board.
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AFP Illinois: Stop ‘Pay to Play’ Appointment Now!‏”

Budget - Conservatives - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois Policy Institute - Republicans - Taxes - Tea Party - Warner Todd Huston

Join Us: Lessons in Leadership from ‘Governor Veto’ – March 23‏

March 17, 2011 by

From the Illinois Policy institute…

MARCH 23: Lessons in Leadership from “Governor Veto”

He vetoed 750 bills and thousands of line items to reduce wasteful spending, cut taxes 14 times during his two terms, and saw the state GDP increase by almost 30 percent during his tenure. When he left office, New Mexico had a balanced budget and $1 billion surplus. What lessons can Illinois learn from this? Join us as we host Gary Johnson for a cocktail hour discussion. Read More

Is Your Group A RepealTheTaxHike.com Coalition Partner?

On April 15th, at a rally at the Capitol, the Illinois Policy Institute will announce the results of our petition to repeal the historic 67% Illinois income tax hike. So far we have 7,300+ signatures on the petition, and 12 coalition partners.
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Join Us: Lessons in Leadership from ‘Governor Veto’ – March 23‏”

Budget - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Government - Heritage Foundation - House of Representatives - Republicans - Taxes

Key Spending Vote Today: Call Now‏

March 15, 2011 by

From Heritage Action for America…

Since yesterday, we’ve gained momentum. Among other conservatives, Senator Marco Rubio and Congressman Mike Pence announced their opposition to more short-term CRs. The Washington establishment is taking note. Push your Representative to oppose another three week spending bill now.

>> Call your Representative now: 202-224-3121.

When you call, urge a serious, long-term approach to spending cuts and policy riders. Not sure what to say? See our talking points here.

Every additional week means another lost opportunity to enact the full $61 billion in cuts and deliver the long-term reforms our country needs.

>> Make the call now and post your report to our website.

Thanks for your help on this important fight. Stay tuned,

Russ Vought
Political Director
Heritage Action for America

Budget - Government - Illinois - Sunshine Review - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Sunshine Review Announces Illinois Winners of the Annual Sunny Awards

March 13, 2011 by

From SunshineReview.org…

Award recognizes state, local governments with perfect transparency scores

ALEXANDRIA- The nation’s leading government transparency advocate, Sunshine Review, announced on Thursday the 112 winners of its 2nd annual “Sunny Awards.” The 2011 awards, which more than double last year’s number, recognize the best state and local government websites in America that exceeded transparency standards. The Sunny Awards announcement preludes the launch of “Sunshine Week,” a period nationally recognized by hundreds of media and civic organizations, that celebrates the efforts of activists and the strides taken towards open government.

“Sunny Award winners deserve recognition for making information available to citizens and for setting a transparency standard that all governments can, and should, meet,” said Mike Barnhart, President of Sunshine Review. “Access to information empowers every citizen to hold government officials accountable. Official accountability is the cornerstone of self government and liberty.”
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Sunshine Review Announces Illinois Winners of the Annual Sunny Awards”

Budget - Economy/Finances - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Sam Adams Alliance - Taxes - Transparency - Warner Todd Huston

Study: Tea Partiers, Unions Share Common Core Values

March 11, 2011 by

From the Sam Adams Alliance…

insightsLab Reports from Protest in Madison

CHICAGO — Today, insightsLab, the research arm of Sam Adams Alliance (SAM) released a new study showing that both Tea Partiers and a segment of Madison, WI, union protestors share similar core values. The study, which is the first of its kind, was conducted during the height of the Wisconsin budget battle and delved into the values and motivations of union protestors. The research determined two core segments of people among the Madison protestors, “Operatives” and “Idealists,” based on qualitative in-depth market research interviews conducted with “brand champion” protestors.

“This study is significant because it shows where the Tea Partiers and unions can meet in the middle and find common ground,” said Yvonne Ralsky, executive director of SAM. “The research team at insightsLab didn’t expect to discover that the passions of the Tea Partiers and Unions transcend policy positions or politics, and motivate people to activism.”
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Study: Tea Partiers, Unions Share Common Core Values”

Illinois - Illinois State Government - United Republican Fund - Warner Todd Huston

URF Releases 2010 Scorecard

March 11, 2011 by

From the United Republican Fund of Illinois…

WINFIELD, IL – The United Republican Fund (URF) has released their 2010 Scorecard for members of the Illinois Legislature, and it shows a disappointing drop in URF LIFT Leaders compared to 2009 with four fewer LIFT Leaders in the House and two fewer in the Senate. However, the URF is optimistic for the future of Illinois with the election in 2010 of several strong conservatives and with the improvement in the lifetime scores of a number of legislators.

“This past session saw several bills passed, including a massive tax hike on families and businesses, that run contrary to our LIFT principles and are bad for the people of Illinois,” said Mike Uremovich, President of the URF. “We call on the Ninety-Seventh General Assembly to heed the growing voice of conservatives in Illinois and across the country. We will be watching and encouraging legislators to vote accordingly.”
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URF Releases 2010 Scorecard”

Americans For Prosperity - Budget - Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Amer. For Prosperity: Help Stop A ‘Pay to Play’ Appointment Now!

March 9, 2011 by

From Americans for Prosperity, Illinois…

“Pay to Play” appears to be part of Governor Quinn’s agenda!!! Contact the Senate Executive Appointment Committee NOW and tell them to say NO to “Pay to Play” politics!

In case you missed it, the Senate Executive Appointments Committee has a problem on their hands thanks to Governor Quinn’s appointment of Careen Gordon to an $85,000 a year spot on the Prisoner Review Board.

For those who don’t know, Careen Gordon is a former Democratic State Representative who lost her re-election bid last year to GOP candidate Sue Resin. During her campaign, Ms. Gordon campaigned strenuously against Governor Quinn’s tax increase, vowing to oppose it and stressing that it was the wrong direction for Illinois.
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Amer. For Prosperity: Help Stop A ‘Pay to Play’ Appointment Now!”

American Majority - Americans For Prosperity - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

American Majority Activist/Candidate Training

March 5, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

I just got back from sitting on the new media discussion panel at the American Majority Candidate Training session held in Palatine, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago.

On the panel we discussed things such as how candidates should approach the new and old media alike, how should candidates handle interviews, and should candidates stop issuing press releases (no, would be the answer to that last one, there).

On the panel with me was Keith Liscio, Fran Eaton of Illinois Review, and acting as emcee for the panel was Collin Colbert of Cor Strategies.


Left to Right: Warner Todd Huston, Kieth Liscio, Fran Eaton, and Collin Colbert

American Majority runs candidate and activist training sessions all across the United States and they really do a great job at it. If one is in your area, be sure and catch it.

Upcoming American Majority Activist Training Sessions:

The event was co-sponsored by the Illinois chapter of Americans for Prosperity.
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American Majority Activist/Candidate Training”

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Liberals - Public Employees Unions - Republicans - SEIU - Taxes - Teachers Unions - The Heritage Foundation - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Government Union Collective Bargaining 101

March 5, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Are you a bit hazy on why government employee unions are a problem? If so the Heritage Foundation has made a great video to help you understand the deal. It’s a sort of Government Unions 101.

The Heritage Foundation also has a great fact sheet to help you learn more.

Here are some of the points on that list:
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Government Union Collective Bargaining 101″

1st Amendment - Citizens United - Congress - Conservatives - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Free Speech - Freedom - GOP - Government - Judges - Liberals - Republicans - Supreme Court - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

VIDEO: Another Lefty Garbles the Citizens United Case

March 3, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Annie Leonard has made another one of her left-wing, hopelessly skewed videos and in this one she employed every unthinking left-wing trope possible to garble the Citizens United case from last year. Well, Lee Doren has unleashed another fantastic take down of Leonard’s nonsense. This one is very much worth sticking through to the end, folks.

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VIDEO: Another Lefty Garbles the Citizens United Case”

Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Liberals - Taxes - Truth in Accounting - Warner Todd Huston - Washington

Truth in Accounting Issues: Washington’s ‘Financial State of the State’ – True Tax Burden $31.7 Billion

March 1, 2011 by

From the Institute for Truth in Accounting…

Chicago (November 29, 2010) Today, the Institute for Truth in Accounting released Washington’s “Financial State of the State.” After an intensive review of the State’s 2010 audited financial report the Institute determined the State is in a precarious financial position because it does not have the funds available to pay $31.7 billion of the State’s commitments as they come due. Each taxpayer’s share of this financial burden equals $13,800.

Washington state law requires a balanced budget. “If governors and legislatures had truly balanced the state’s budget, no taxpayer’s financial burden would exist,” said Sheila Weinberg, founder and CEO of the Institute for Truth in Accounting (IFTA). She continued, “A state budget is not balanced if past costs, including those for employees’ retirement benefits, are pushed into the future.”
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Truth in Accounting Issues: Washington’s ‘Financial State of the State’ – True Tax Burden $31.7 Billion”

Americans For Prosperity - Budget - Illinois - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

AFP Illinois: Join Us for a Candidate and Activist Training Class‏

February 27, 2011 by

From Americans for Prosperity, Illinois…

Join us to learn how YOU can make a difference in your community

American for Prosperity together with Americans Majority and The Great Awakening will be holding an Activist and Candidate Training on Saturday, March 5, 2011.

Registration begins at 8:30 am. Training starts promptly at 9:00 am and ends at 4:00 pm at Hotel Indigo Palatine at 920 East Northwest Highway.

The Candidate Training Program is a one-day event that features:
Lectures from campaign veterans including topics such as:
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AFP Illinois: Join Us for a Candidate and Activist Training Class‏”

Aaron Schock - Adam Kinzinger - Budget - Congress - Conservatives - Democrats/Leftists - Earmarks - GOP - Government - House of Representatives - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Regulation - Republicans - Taxes - The Heritage Foundation - Warner Todd Huston

How Did Ill. Representatives Vote on Cost Cutting (HR1)?

February 25, 2011 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Last week, the House of Representatives passed HR 1. This bill was the 2011 continuing appropriations act, the bill that makes provisions to fund the federal government. It also contained $61 billion in cuts.

There were 21 different cost cutting measures in the bill. So, how did our Illinois Representatives vote on HR 1? How many of the amendments did our reps vote “yes” for?

Republicans
Walsh (R, 8th): 100%
Manzullo (R, 16th): 95%
Roskam (R, 6th): 81%
Johnson (R, 15th): 76%
Shimkus (R, 19th): 67%
Hultgren (R, 14th): 62%
Schilling (R, 17th): 57%
Schock (R, 18th): 57%
Dold (R, 10th): 38%
Kinzinger (R, 11th): 38%
Biggert (R, 13th): 25%

Congratulations to Joe Walsh for being a 100% man! Manzullo and Roskam are not too shabby, either. Sadly a few of our newest Reps are in Democrat territory with their weak support of the most number of cost cutting measures. I mean, 38 percent for Kinzinger?? That is horrible. Is Adam Kinzinger a big government guy after all his claims on the campaign trail? Left-winger Biggert’s Democrat-styled votes are no surprise. One is continually surprised she is still pretending to be a Republican.
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How Did Ill. Representatives Vote on Cost Cutting (HR1)?”

Budget - Business - Canada - Capitalism - CATO Institute - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Financial Reform - Liberals - President - Regulation - Republicans - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

What Did Reagan Do and How Have Other Nations Solved Their Fiscal Problems?

February 23, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Center for Freedom and Prosperity Foundation at CATO has made a few videos that help us understand how we have fixed some of our fiscal troubles in the past. In part two they also looked at a few foreign countries. Now, I have to admit that I am not much interested in what other nations do about anything. They aren’t America. Still, in part two below the folks at the CATO Institute have pointed out a few things that are instructive, if not a tad wonky.

These videos are worth taking a look at.

Spending Restraint, Part I: Lessons from Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton

Spending Restraint, Part II: Lessons from Canada, Ireland, Slovakia, and New Zealand

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What Did Reagan Do and How Have Other Nations Solved Their Fiscal Problems?”

Americans For Prosperity - Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Government - Illinois - Liberals - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Gov. Quinn’s Budget Address More of the Same

February 18, 2011 by

From Americans for Prosperity, Illinois…

Governor’s Budget Address Reveals More “Buy Now, Pay Later” Rhetoric That Will Bankrupt Illinois Taxpayers

-AFP calls for meaningful and aggressive reforms to state budgetary process-

CHICAGO- In the Governor’s budget address today, Quinn identified the immediate need for reducing the state’s $8.75 billion deficit, but was unwilling to make the necessary budget cuts to get the job done.
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Gov. Quinn’s Budget Address More of the Same”

Alaska - Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Liberals - Taxes - Truth in Accounting - Warner Todd Huston

Truth in Accounting Issues: Alaska’s ‘Financial State of the State’ – True Tax Burden $555 Million

February 8, 2011 by

From the Institute for Truth in Accounting…

Chicago (November 29, 2010) Today, the Institute for Truth in Accounting released Alaska’s “Financial State of the State.” After an intensive review of the State’s 2010 audited financial report the Institute determined the State is in a precarious financial position because it does not have the funds available to pay $555 million of the State’s commitments as they come due. Each taxpayer’s share of this financial burden equals $1,900.

Alaska state law requires a balanced budget. “If governors and legislatures had truly balanced the state’s budget, no taxpayer’s financial burden would exist,” said Sheila Weinberg, founder and CEO of the Institute for Truth in Accounting (IFTA). She continued, “A state budget is not balanced if past costs, including those for employees’ retirement benefits, are pushed into the future.”
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Truth in Accounting Issues: Alaska’s ‘Financial State of the State’ – True Tax Burden $555 Million”

Arizona - Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Liberals - Taxes - Truth in Accounting - Warner Todd Huston

Truth in Accounting Issues: Arizona’s ‘Financial State of the State’ – True Tax Burden $10.1 Billion

February 1, 2011 by

From the Institute for Truth in Accounting…

Chicago (November 29, 2010) Today, the Institute for Truth in Accounting released Arizona’s “Financial State of the State.” After an intensive review of the State’s 2009 audited financial report the Institute determined the State is in a precarious financial position because it does not have the funds available to pay $10.1 billion of the State’s commitments as they come due. Each taxpayer’s share of this financial burden equals $5,700.

Arizona state law requires a balanced budget. “If governors and legislatures had truly balanced the state’s budget, no taxpayer’s financial burden would exist,” said Sheila Weinberg, founder and CEO of the Institute for Truth in Accounting (IFTA). She continued, “A state budget is not balanced if past costs, including those for employees’ retirement benefits, are pushed into the future.”
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Truth in Accounting Issues: Arizona’s ‘Financial State of the State’ – True Tax Burden $10.1 Billion”

Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Florida - Government - Liberals - Taxes - Truth in Accounting - Warner Todd Huston

Truth in Accounting Issues: Florida’s ‘Financial State of the State’ – True Tax Burden $23. Billion

January 28, 2011 by

From the Institute for Truth in Accounting…

Chicago (November 29, 2010) Today, the Institute for Truth in Accounting released Florida’s “Financial State of the State.” After an intensive review of the State’s 2009 audited financial report the Institute determined the State is in a precarious financial position because it does not have the funds available to pay more than $23.4 billion of the State’s commitments as they come due. Each taxpayer’s share of this financial burden equals $4,100.

Florida state law requires a balanced budget. “If governors and legislatures had truly balanced the state’s budget, no taxpayer’s financial burden would exist,” said Sheila Weinberg, founder and CEO of the Institute for Truth in Accounting (IFTA). She continued, “A state budget is not balanced if past costs, including those for employees’ retirement benefits, are pushed into the future.”
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Truth in Accounting Issues: Florida’s ‘Financial State of the State’ – True Tax Burden $23. Billion”

Anti-Americanism - Budget - CATO Institute - Democrats/Leftists - Family - Government - Liberals - President - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

CATO Responds to Obama’s State of the Union 2011

January 26, 2011 by 1 Comment

Cato experts Gene Healy, Ben Friedman, Michael F. Cannon, Dan Mitchell, Sallie James, John Samples, Justin Logan, Jagadeesh Gokhale, Neal McCluskey, and David Rittgers deconstruct the president’s speech and correct some of his errors—including the “American family” metaphor, calls for more federal education spending, zero-sum thinking in trade and globalization policy, ObamaCare fixes, TSA pat down jokes, soaking the rich, and much more. I’d like to encourage you to share these incisive analyses with your friends, colleagues, and readers.

For more, here is CATO’s blog coverage of the SOTU speech.

Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Liberals - New Mexico - Taxes - Truth in Accounting - Warner Todd Huston

Truth in Accounting Issues: New Mexico’s ‘Financial State of the State’ – True Tax Burden $7.1 Billion

January 26, 2011 by

From the Institute for Truth in Accounting…

Chicago (November 29, 2010) Today, the Institute for Truth in Accounting released New Mexico’s “Financial State of the State.” After an intensive review of the State’s 2009 audited financial report the Institute determined the State is in a precarious financial position because it does not have the funds available to pay more than $7.1 billion of the State’s commitments as they come due. Each taxpayer’s share of this financial burden equals $12,500.

New Mexico state law requires a balanced budget. “If governors and legislatures had truly balanced the state’s budget, no taxpayer’s financial burden would exist,” said Sheila Weinberg, founder and CEO of the Institute for Truth in Accounting (IFTA). She continued, “A state budget is not balanced if past costs, including those for employees’ retirement benefits, are pushed into the future.”
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Truth in Accounting Issues: New Mexico’s ‘Financial State of the State’ – True Tax Burden $7.1 Billion”

Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Hawaii - Liberals - Taxes - Truth in Accounting - Warner Todd Huston

Truth in Accounting Issues: Hawaii’s ‘Financial State of the State’ – True Tax Burden $18.2 Billion

January 25, 2011 by

From the Institute for Truth in Accounting…

Chicago (November 29, 2010) Today, the Institute for Truth in Accounting released Hawaii’s “Financial State of the State.” After an intensive review of the State’s 2009 audited financial report the Institute determined the State is in a precarious financial position because it does not have the funds available to pay for almost $18.2 billion of the State’s commitments as they come due. Each taxpayer’s share of this financial burden equals $39,600.

Hawaii state law requires a balanced budget. “If governors and legislatures had truly balanced the state’s budget, no taxpayer’s financial burden would exist,” said Sheila Weinberg, founder and CEO of the Institute for Truth in Accounting (IFTA). She continued, “A state budget is not balanced if past costs, including those for employees’ retirement benefits, are pushed into the future.”
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Truth in Accounting Issues: Hawaii’s ‘Financial State of the State’ – True Tax Burden $18.2 Billion”

Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Liberals - Nevada - Taxes - Truth in Accounting - Warner Todd Huston

Truth in Accounting Issues: Nevada’s ‘Financial State of the State’ – True Tax Burden $4.3 Billion

January 21, 2011 by

From the Institute for Truth in Accounting…

Chicago (November 29, 2010) Today, the Institute for Truth in Accounting released Nevada’s “Financial State of the State.” After an intensive review of the State’s 2010 audited financial report the Institute determined the State is in a precarious financial position because it does not have the funds available to pay more than $4.3 billion of the State’s commitments as they come due. Each taxpayer’s share of this financial burden equals $5,000.

Nevada state law requires a balanced budget. “If governors and legislatures had truly balanced the state’s budget, no taxpayer’s financial burden would exist,” said Sheila Weinberg, founder and CEO of the Institute for Truth in Accounting (IFTA). She continued, “A state budget is not balanced if past costs, including those for employees’ retirement benefits, are pushed into the future.”
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Truth in Accounting Issues: Nevada’s ‘Financial State of the State’ – True Tax Burden $4.3 Billion”

Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Ethics - For The Good Of Illinois - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Michael Madigan - Pat Quinn - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Big Bonding‏

January 20, 2011 by

From For The Good Of Illinois…

“You can’t be for big government, big taxes, and big bureaucracy and still be for the little guy,” Ronald Reagan.

Springfield just hiked your taxes while increasing spending and ignoring any spending cuts.

Even after the largest tax hike in Illinois history, the budget still has an estimated $2 billion shortfall. What’s the plan to cover this shortfall? A pay day loan – $14.2 billion of new government debt. If you want to see significant cuts in Illinois spending, make sure you stop the massive “Big Bonding”. Click here to find out why.

Don’t let them stick you with their bill.
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Big Bonding‏”

Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Liberals - Minnesota - Taxes - Truth in Accounting - Warner Todd Huston

Truth in Accounting Issues: Minnesota’s ‘Financial State of the State’ – Minnesota’s True Tax Burden $10.3 Billion

January 19, 2011 by

From the Institute for Truth in Accounting…

Chicago (November 29, 2010) Today, the Institute for Truth in Accounting released Minnesota’s “Financial State of the State.” After an intensive review of the State’s 2010 audited financial report the Institute determined the State is in a precarious financial position because it does not have the funds available to pay almost $10.3 billion of the State’s commitments as they come due. Each taxpayer’s share of this financial burden equals $5,600.

Minnesota state law requires a balanced budget. “If governors and legislatures had truly balanced the state’s budget, no taxpayer’s financial burden would exist,” said Sheila Weinberg, founder and CEO of the Institute for Truth in Accounting (IFTA). She continued, “A state budget is not balanced if past costs, including those for employees’ retirement benefits, are pushed into the future.”
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Truth in Accounting Issues: Minnesota’s ‘Financial State of the State’ – Minnesota’s True Tax Burden $10.3 Billion”

Budget - Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Taxes - Truth in Accounting - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Truth in Accounting Workshop Educates Legislators‏

January 18, 2011 by

From the Institute for Truth in Accounting…

Illinois Reps. Karen May & and Tom Morrison Support The Truth in Accounting Act

Illinois Rep. Karen May (D-58th District) and Rep. Tom Morrison (R-54th District) joined Sheila Weinberg, CEO and founder of Institute for Truth in Accounting at a December Legislative Workshop in Highwood. The group discussed the Illinois budget, governmental accounting rules and the use of ‘political math’ to balance the budget.

Weinberg highlighted how ‘political math’ is used to disguise Illinois’ true ‘Financial State of the State.’ ‘Over the years budget shenanigans have been used to hide more than over $120 billion of state employees’ retirement and other costs,’ Weinberg added.
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Illinois Truth in Accounting Workshop Educates Legislators‏”