Bio 2004 is underway in San Francisco. Wisconsin, like many other states/government bodies, has a pavilion.
The exhibitor list is here. This list, with numerous government bodies illustrates the great temptation that states provide narrowly focused tax incentives, as discussed here recently.
In the end, these conferences can suffer from “increasing returns“, because the Kansas Biosciences Association, among many others are exhibiting (in the Kansas Pavilion), so too must the Illinois Farm Bureau, and many, many others.
The “Seamy Side” of State Tax Incentives
TaxProf points to a “brazen” Powerpoint (!) presentation by Big 4 Accounting firm Ernst & Young: Turning Your State Government Relations Department from a Money Pit into a Cash Cow.
Property Tax Assessments Going Down? – Silicon Valley
Kelly Zito writes that:
The Santa Clara County assessor has slashed the values of about 1, 200 office and industrial buildings by about $8 billion, further underscoring Silicon Valley’s protracted high-tech slump.
County officials boosted assessed values of about 9,500 homes and condos that had been cut last year, but more than 23,000 residential properties continued to receive reductions totaling about $1.7 billion, they said Thursday.
Madison’s property values have risen for years. Someday, there will be an adjustment, which will be painful for its tax base.
Hackworth on Consequence Day
Highly Decorated Army Vet and writer David Hackworth, pens his weekly column on the subject of Consequence Day.
Iowa Electronic Markets are Open
The Iowa Electronic Market began its 2004 Presidential Market yesterday. Right now, Bush is ahead of Kerry.
Wisconsin School Finance Reform Proposal
The Governor’s Task Force on Educational Excellence is evidently poised to suggest that the state fund schools by:
- Increase the state sales tax to 6% (from 5%) and reduce property taxes by 20% (I’ll believe that when I see it)
- Eliminate the QEO (Qualified Economic Offer)
- Increase Class size reduction funding to $2,500 per child
- Reimburse school districts at a higher rate for educating high-cost special education students.
Amy Hetzner summarizes the proposal.
I think that school funding should include:
- Sales tax reform (newspapers, advertising – are currently not taxed)
- Increase in annual vehicle fees, reflecting the cost of a auto and the fuel efficiency
- Increased Federal Funding via reform of the Social Security tax so that all wage income is taxed, not just the first $87,600.
The Promised Land: Las Vegas?
Dean E. Murphy writes about Seekers, Drawn to the Promised Land in Las Vegas.
Restore the Owens River?
Years ago, while living in San Francisco, I visited the Owens Valley (Eastern Sierra). The Valley, decimated by the LA Department of Water & Power may now see a flowing river, according to this article by Rene Sanchez.
The 70’s/early 80’s are back….
 |
 |
Without question, the 70’s/early 80’s are back. This car, an early 1980’s Oldsmobile Cutlass, seen on a recent Saturday, morning confirms it.
Farmer’s Market Bounty
Gorgeous flowers from the Dane County Farmer’s Market.