Recent Research & Commentary

Research & Commentary: Wyoming Health Insurance Exchange and Medicaid Expansion

Kendall Antekeier
September 19, 2012

Like most states after the Supreme Court decision on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), Wyoming continues to debate how best to maintain control over its health care system.

Research & Commentary: Omaha Cigarette Occupation Tax

Matthew Glans
September 14, 2012

In the past two years, Omaha restaurant customers have paid around $50 million in taxes, and the city is now considering levying a new occupation tax on smokers.

Research & Commentary: Food Stamp Reform

Matthew Glans
September 13, 2012

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as the Food Stamp program, has become one of the fastest-growing welfare programs of the U.S. government.

Research & Commentary: The Connect America Fund and Broadband Internet Taxes

Matthew Glans
September 13, 2012

In 2011 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created the Connect America Fund (CAF) by taking $4.5 billion from the Universal Service Fund (USF) designed to provide advanced telecommunicatio

Research & Commentary: Idaho Unemployment Insurance and Overpayments

Matthew Glans
September 13, 2012

Idaho, like most U.S. states, has struggled to keep its unemployment insurance fund solvent. The unemployment trust fund already faced insolvency once as a result of the 2008 recession.

Research & Commentary: Democratic and Republican Party Education Platforms

Joy Pullmann
September 12, 2012

In 2012, the Republican and Democratic parties held their national conventions sandwiched around Labor Day weekend.

Research & Commentary: Kansas Renewable Portfolio Standard

Taylor Smith
September 11, 2012

In July, the Kansas Policy Institute and Beacon Hill Institute released a joint report assessing the expected economic results of the Kansas renewable energy mandate, signed into law by Gov.

Research & Commentary: Hydraulic Fracturing and Air Quality

Taylor Smith
September 10, 2012

Earlier this year, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson and President Barack Obama’s science advisor, John P.

Research & Commentary: The Best, Most Recent Voucher Research

Joy Pullmann
September 6, 2012

In 2011, researcher Greg Forster examined all the highest-quality research available on voucher programs; he found 10 of 11 studies demonstrated vouchers benefit students, and the 11th showed parti

Research & Commentary: Tax Increment Financing

Matthew Glans
August 31, 2012

Tax increment financing has become a popular tool for encouraging economic development in municipalities across the country.