Author Archives: Russ

Traveling

Posted on March 1, 2005 by Russ

This week I’m traveling to Philadelphia and nearby environs so blogging will be close to nonexistent. I’ll be back with updates next week.

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Vox Blogoli 2.2: Whither the GOP

Posted on February 25, 2005 by Russ

Hugh Hewitt asks, “Does the Senate GOP go McClellan or Grant if Harry Reid goes “Gingrich?” This is a lot more important than just pure politics, which is why I’m responding in a tax blog. First, for the non-Civil War … Continue reading →

Posted in Legislation | Comments Off on Vox Blogoli 2.2: Whither the GOP

Online Poker: North Dakota’s New Revenue Source?

Posted on February 25, 2005 by Russ

North Dakota HB1509 would license Internet poker within the state, with the hope of tapping a new revenue source. According to North Dakota House Representative Jim Kasper, the bill could bring $500 million to the state. The bill passed the … Continue reading →

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Let’s Increase Taxes.

Posted on February 24, 2005 by Russ

Assemblywoman Wilma Chan (D-Alameda) introduced AB6. This would increase the state’s top income tax rates by 0.7%. Most Californians would pay 10% income tax rates under this bill, up from 9.3%. This bill does require a 2/3 vote, and passage … Continue reading →

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Do As I Say, Not As I Do

Posted on February 22, 2005 by Russ

The New York Times has for years editorialized against corporations “abusing the Tax Code.” But does the Times practice what they preach? Of course not— that would be fiscally irresponsible. As Allan Sloan reports in today’s Washington Post (hat tip: … Continue reading →

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Brain Drain?

Posted on February 21, 2005 by Russ

Today’s Orange County Register editorializes on a brain drain [registration required]: the high cost of doing business in the Golden State has led corporate planners to locate elsewhere. I wrote last week that liberals would like California to increase taxes … Continue reading →

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Let’s “Improve” California’s Business Climate by Raising Taxes

Posted on February 19, 2005 by Russ

That’s what syndicated columnist Thomas Elias suggests in today’s Pasadena Star-News. That’s not how Mr. Elias puts it; rather, he states that increasing property taxes on businesses is the “obvious solution” to California’s budget problems. It’s not. The obvious solution … Continue reading →

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If It Sounds Too Good to be True…

Posted on February 17, 2005 by Russ

…It usually is. The New York Times today has a story on tax shelters (free registration required). It’s good reading, and brings up the basic issues that you need to consider about any tax shelter: – Is there a purpose … Continue reading →

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Stupid Budgeting Trick

Posted on February 16, 2005 by Russ

This evening I attended continuing education (required for professional tax preparers) and heard about changes in California tax law. As I was reading the material, I thought there was a typographical error on one item: “Seventy-five percent of punitive damage … Continue reading →

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Tax by the Mile?

Posted on February 15, 2005 by Russ

Over the past few months, there have been stories (trial balloons?) on replacing the gasoline tax with a “per mile” road tax. As this story from CBS notes, Oregon is testing the idea. For a large number of reasons, this … Continue reading →

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