Stateline.org: Tax hikes rare among states — so far

"Most states are holding off raising taxes to patch holes in their 2009 budgets, but if you live in Maryland, Minnesota, Maine and New York, you're out of luck."

In an analysis of state budgets across the country, Stateline.org is reporting that 30 States have completed their work on the 2009 budget year.  They quote a budget expert from the Council of State Governments saying "Most states work extremely hard to avoid the politically explosive tactic of raising taxes."

It's interesting to note that while the article mentions the taxes on beer, wine and soda in Maine,  they fail to mention the 1.8% health care tax on insurance claims. As for our other partners in taxation; Minnesotans will pay more at the pump (good timing), New Yorkers will pay more for cigarettes, Maryland passed a millionaire's tax increase and Illinois jacked up the sales tax.

Of course, voters will have the chance this fall to remove Maine from list with the vote on the People's Veto. 

Note: Stateline.org is funded entirely by The Pew Charitable Trusts as a public service, and in my opinion it is a great resource for objective and well-sourced information.