Taxes
Judge says food stamps can be used to buy candy, soda
A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration cannot bar the use of food stamps to buy candy and sugary drinks.
Supreme Court sides with Michigan county in a tax foreclosure case
The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an effort to change tax foreclosure sales to let homeowners to keep more money when their property is sold to recoup unpaid taxes.
Carlos Mencia pleads not guilty to felony tax charges as lawyers slam ‘absurd show of force’
Comedian Carlos Mencia pleaded not guilty Monday to 12 felony counts of failure to file tax returns with intent to evade taxes, stemming from allegations he failed to report $8.7M in income over six years, as his attorneys blasted prosecutors over what they called an excessive use of force in arresting him.
Congress poised to send major housing package to Trump’s desk
Congress will soon send President Trump bipartisan legislation designed to increase housing supply and lower the costs of homeownership, one of the many affordability challenges Americans are facing.
Tax the rich? California voters will decide in November; other states could follow
The anti-billionaire movement has taken hold in California, where voters provided enough signatures to force a landmark ballot initiative that would levy a one-time, 5% tax on the state's richest residents.
Comedian Carlos Mencia charged with 12 felony tax counts in California
Comedian Carlos Mencia was arrested Thursday at his home in Encino, California, and charged with 12 felony counts of failure to file personal and corporate income tax returns with intent to evade tax after prosecutors alleged he failed to report $8.7M in income over a six-year period.
‘Moral’ mission: Grover Norquist zings wealthy Democrat Ro Khanna on wealth tax
Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist is calling on Rep. Ro Khanna to practice what he preaches on wealth taxes, sending the California Democrat a letter urging him to voluntarily write a check to the federal government equal to 5% of his reported $232.7 million net worth.
11 suspected migrants charged with stealing food stamps, other benefits
Federal authorities announced charges Thursday against 15 people -- including 11 suspected unauthorized immigrants -- who they say stole food stamps and other welfare benefits in Massachusetts.
California billionaire tax proposal is slated to qualify for the November ballot
A proposal to temporarily increase taxes on billionaires in California to counter federal cuts to healthcare for low-income people has sufficient public support to qualify for the November ballot, the state's top elections official said.
Justice Department accuses New York state of letting fraud flourish in Medicaid program
The U.S. Justice Department accused New York state officials Tuesday of facilitating fraud, saying they let a Georgia company use a sham bidding process to gain control of and then abuse a $10 billion program to provide home care to disabled Medicaid patients.
Trump’s National Garden of American Heroes hit with lawsuit
A handful of Washington preservation organizations are suing the Trump administration over President Trump's National Garden of American Heroes -- a massive outdoor complex planned to feature 250 larger-than-life statues of notable American figures.
D.C. watchdogs feud about overspending as city lawmakers eye more budget hikes
Washington's top municipal finance watchdogs are feuding about perennial agency overspending as the D.C. Council eyes more spending hikes in its annual budget.
Senate’s $1.15 trillion defense bill urges Pentagon to create new combatant command for drones
The Pentagon should create a new combatant command focused exclusively on drones and robotics, lawmakers said in a major defense bill that cleared a key Senate committee Thursday.
New bill would require states to report food-stamp fraud
Sen. Rick Scott, Florida Republican, introduced a bill Wednesday that would make states submit fraud data in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Trump signs $70 billion immigration enforcement package
President Trump signed a Republican-backed $70 billion immigration enforcement package Wednesday to fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection through the duration of his presidency.
Social Security’s retirement trust fund faces funding shortfall one year earlier than expected
Social Security's retirement trust fund is projected to face a funding shortfall in 2032, a year earlier than last year's projections, according to an annual report released Tuesday, while Medicare's hospital insurance trust fund will be unable to pay full benefits in 2033, which is unchanged from last year's estimate.
GOP’s $70 billion immigration package remove Democrats’ leverage to reform enforcement
Democrats are set to lose their leverage for reining in President Trump's deportation force as Republicans prepare to send him a bill this week funding immigration enforcement agencies through the remainder of his term.
Bears say they are moving forward with Northwest Indiana location for new stadium
The Chicago Bears are looking to build a stadium in Northwest Indiana after a proposal to provide financial incentives for the NFL team to build its new home in Illinois stalled in the state legislature.
Senate passes $70 billion immigration enforcement funding package after overnight voting session
The Senate early Friday passed a $70 billion package to fund immigration enforcement agencies through the remainder of President Trump's term, after pulling an all-nighter.
GOP concerns about Anti-Weaponization Fund again stall immigration enforcement money in Senate
A desire among a handful of Senate Republicans to codify the death of the Trump administration's $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund is threatening the party's ability to pass a $70 billion immigration enforcement funding package.