Weicker earned lasting criticism for his implementation of the income tax; the conservative Yankee Institute claimed in August 2006 that after fifteen years the income tax had failed to achieve its stated goals. However, he earned national attention for his leadership on the issue, receiving the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation's Profiles in Courage award for taking an unpopular stand, then holding firm. Within two years, the state's budget was in surplus and he was well-regarded among voters. In retirement, he commented, "You've had 19 years to repeal it, and all you've done is spend it."