The current trend points to tax increases in the long run. The political will to make the difficult decisions on spending is lacking.

There will be no tax increases this year,

We will only agree to other tax increases in the talks if people with higher incomes are taxed more heavily.

Any tax increases that did pass after the remarkably low collection in 2002 are contributing to the increased collections now.

There won't have to be tax increases.

Tax increases are a dirty word, but the question is if the public would be willing to accept a small surcharge on their taxes to cover the cost of Katrina,