1.   Therefore, it follows, renters lack any incentive to vote against tax hikes and the vulnerable property owners need special protection.

2.   JOHN Major today battled against a double dose of post-holiday blues over the threat of a tax hike and a grassroots revolt against VAT on domestic fuel.

3.   And in a recession, a tax cut is far preferable to a tax hike, he added.

4.   And these tax hikes may be just the beginning.

5.   And top lawmakers ruled out a tax hike to pay for the request, despite speculation at the Capitol that such a move might be necessary.

6.   Apparently tax hikes are dandy as long as they are aimed only at the needy.

7.   Any lessening of the tax hike is seen as boosting sales at retailers, said Yasuo Ueki, general manager of the investment information division at Nikko Securities Co.

8.   As states across the country cope with their worst budget gaps in a decade, few are turning to broad-based tax hikes with the zeal of Massachusetts.

9.   At first Pataki tried to exploit the situation by warning against tax hikes.

10.   At the same time, expected revenues from a tobacco tax hike now seem unlikely to materialize.