Pedro Quezada won the fourth-largest Powerball payout in history this week. Poor guy. I wish him luck. He’ll need it. The New York Daily News said his take-home pay after taxes will be $152 million. Maybe the 45-year-old Dominican immigrant who worked at his family’s deli will be able to handle it. He sounds like a hard-working guy who has known the value of a dollar. Ever wondered how your state ranks in terms of taxes collected and owed? The Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan, nonprofit Washington-based organization, has released a booklet that breaks it all down. (Access the booklet by clicking here.) Because this blog is based in Utah, I paid particular attention to the figures concerning that state. Generally, however, states in the Northeast seem to be the highest taxed states, while those in the South taxed the least. I heard a lot of familiar blather out there after Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., unveiled his latest plan to fix the nation’s long-term budget problems and provide an alternative to the sequester. Jonathan Capehart of the Washington Post said the plan “ought to be burned.” Really? This is how we negotiate toward a compromise? I’m guessing Ryan realizes his plan, “The Path to Prosperity,” has no chance of becoming law in its present form. No, I’m sure of it. He said as much in his press conference. This is meant to be the starting point in a negotiated settlement, just as his earlier plans were meant to be. Finally, the Democrats are unveiling a plan of their own, too. Until now, it seems Ryan has been a lone wolf, presenting his plans and getting little in return from the other side
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The author
Jay Evensen is the Senior Editorial Columnist of the Deseret News. He has nearly 40 years experience as a reporter, editor and editorial writer in Oklahoma, New York City, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. He also has been an adjunct journalism professor at Brigham Young and Weber State universities. Archives
November 2023
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