A tax calculator for your state

 is located here   http://www.totaltaxinsights.org/

An article that compares highest and lowest tax areas by jurisdictions is at this url http://247wallst.com/2012/10/23/states-where-residents-pay-the-most-in-taxes/

What % are Americans paying in state and local taxes.  The above tool helps one to investigate and compare.

Heather Brooke on TED Talks

She urges us to ask our leaders questions through platforms like Freedom of Information requests.  While her situation applied to Parliament, it is relevant to government everywhere.  She calls it a culture clash.

http://www.ted.com/talks/heather_brooke_my_battle_to_expose_government_corruption.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+TEDTalks_video+(TEDTalks+Main+(SD)+-+Site

Data visualization and graphics

in government.  The idea is to improve transparency:  "By providing our data in a more engaging way, we can get people more interested," said Kei. "They can see the value of our statistics and become more educated on what we do at the IRS." 

See the presentations that were associated with this webinar and powerpoints   http://www.howto.gov/training/classes/data-visualization-and-infographics

The states that are struggling

with unfunded pensions.   Still struggling...  http://247wallst.com/2012/10/18/nine-states-with-sinking-pensions/

The wastebook

Republican Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma published a wastebook of his noted instances of spending he identifies as wasteful   http://www.fiercegovernment.com/story/congress-tops-coburns-2012-picks-wasteful-federal-programs/2012-10-17?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

Atwater California

faces fiscal emergency.   http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443493304578036781420348220.html?mod=djem_jiewr_AC_domainid

Rigged LIBOR impacts states and municipalities

who bought interest rate swap agreements before the financial crisis.  Impacted to the tune of billions.   http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-09/rigged-libor-hits-states-localities-with-6-billion-muni-credit.html