The taxation of cigarettes while a baby is in the womb doesn't just impact those with a habit during pregnancy. It has effects that stick around well into adulthood. That means cigarettes priced more highly for expecting mothers could steer adults away smoking when they later fall expecting. Some see these taxes as a way to nip cigarette use in the bud, but we need ...
Governor Maura Healey recently unveiled her budget plan for the next fiscal year, and it's a mix of investments and tough calls. The $62 billion proposal aims to boost various areas like education and housing. One big change? Taxing candy and cutting mental health jobs. The budget also looks at closing some hospitals and tweaking shelter benefits. Plus, it suggests n...
Donald Trump is back with a new plan for his second term. He's got a mix of old ideas and new ones, focusing on everything from immigration to taxes to climate change. Let's break it down. Immigration is a big deal for Trump. He wants to build a wall, use the National Guard, and even empower local police to crack down on illegal immigration. He also wants to change ...
Get ready for another round of unwelcome news from Gov. Hochul as she reveals her plans for 2025 in her State of the State address. With a history of ignoring public concerns, Hochul is likely to propose more spending on popular initiatives like youth mental health and free school meals, even for families who can afford it. But what New Yorkers really want — like add...
You won't believe who's helping to keep Social Security running: undocumented immigrants. In 2022 alone, they contributed a whopping $25. 7 billion in taxes to the program, according to a study by a tax research group. The kicker? They can't collect benefits without legal status, so their money supports benefits for Americans. With President-elect Trump promising mas...
Imagine winning the Mega Millions jackpot of $1. 15 billion. Sounds amazing, right? But let's talk about what you'd really take home. The federal government takes a chunk for taxes, and depending on where you live, the state might too. Only eight states don't tax lottery winnings: California, Florida, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyo...
In a tight vote, the Chicago City Council has given the green light to Mayor Brandon Johnson's 2025 budget, skipping any property tax increase. The final tally was 27 to 23, after heated discussions. Johnson originally proposed hiking taxes, but strong opposition pushed him to rethink his plan. The approved budget dodges a tax hike by reshuffling debts and trimming j...
In 2021, Taiwan introduced changes to its assisted reproduction subsidy scheme, specifically for in vitro fertilization (IVF). But what's the real impact on the country's economy? Let's dive in. The main idea is to estimate the public economic gains from these subsidy changes. It's all about the money the government could gain in the long run, thanks to the children ...
The Supreme Court has agreed to take on a big case about religion and taxes. The question is whether places like Catholic Charities should be exempt from state unemployment taxes because of their religious ties. Catholic Charities says it should be exempt, but Wisconsin's highest court disagrees. They say Catholic Charities doesn't do enough traditional religious stu...
As the clock strikes midnight on January 1, 2025, the incoming Trump administration is set to shake up the economic landscape. Inflation, which has been gradually decreasing, is still a major concern. The Federal Reserve has begun cutting interest rates, but the question remains: will inflation stick around? The Trump team has big plans for taxes, promising to extend...