Recent Research & Commentary

Research & Commentary: Texas Pension Reform

Matthew Glans
October 3, 2012

Like many other states across the nation, Texas faces tough decisions about the pension benefits it provides its state employees.

Research & Commentary: Voice over Internet Protocol Deregulation

Matthew Glans
October 3, 2012

A product that is quickly changing the telecom industry and how people communicate is voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) calling, where voice and multimedia communication are conducted and transmi

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: 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: 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: 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.