Recent Research

The Municipal Government Debt Crisis

John Nothdurft, Sheila Weinberg
June 20, 2013

June 20, 2013 – The 518 taxing districts within Cook County have a combined “financial burden” of almost $34 billion - an average of $17,147 per Cook County household - according to a study release

Research & Commentary: 2013 Farm Bill Full of Wasteful Subsidies

Logan Pike
June 18, 2013

On June 10 the U.S. Senate approved its version of the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, also known as the Farm Bill.

Research & Commentary: Hydroelectric Power and Renewable Portfolio Standards

Taylor Smith
June 17, 2013

Several states are taking second looks at the renewable portfolio standards (RPS) they passed in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Research & Commentary: Hydraulic Fracturing in California

Taylor Smith
June 17, 2013

The California Assembly recently defeated a proposed moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, a technology requiring water mixed with trace amounts of sand and chemical additives to be injected under pr

Research & Commentary: Oregon Tobacco Tax

Matthew Glans
June 13, 2013

Two proposals are being considered in Oregon to increase tobacco excise taxes at the state and local levels.

Research and Commentary: Arizona Medicaid Expansion

John Nothdurft
June 12, 2013

As states begin debating whether to implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), many, including Arizona, are still debating whether to expand their Medicaid programs.

Tip Sheet: Common Core Standards

Joy Pullmann
June 11, 2013

Common Core Standards

Problem

Research & Commentary: Fossil Fuels and the Environment

Taylor Smith
June 6, 2013

Eighty percent of the world’s energy and 60 percent of its food and clothing are produced or transported using fossil fuels.

Research & Commentary: Texas Parent Trigger

Joy Pullmann
June 4, 2013

Texas legislators are considering strengthening an education reform that has garnered significant national attention: the Parent Trigger.