Recent Research

Research & Commentary: Local Control in Education

Joy Pullmann
October 22, 2012

Parents and voters like the idea of local control in education, but they and politicians have differing definitions of it.

Research & Commentary: Multiple Charter School Authorizers

Joy Pullmann
October 22, 2012

Of the 41 states that allow charter schools, approximately 18 allow viable multiple authorizers to applicants hoping to open the schools, which are fully public but given freedom in matters such as

Research & Commentary: Silica (Frac) Sand Mining

Taylor Smith
October 19, 2012

Activists recently have been pressing local and state governments in Wisconsin and Minnesota to ban silica sand mining.

Research & Commentary: Illinois’ Pension Problem and How to Fix it

Matthew Glans
October 18, 2012

The pension system in Illinois is broke, both literally and structurally. Funding Illinois’ pension system is becoming increasingly difficult.

Seven Educational Reasons to Oppose San Antonio’s Pre-K Plan

Jill C. Thrift, Ph.D.
October 18, 2012

On November 6, San Antonio voters will decide whether to increase their sales tax by 1/8th cent to generate $280 million over a period of eight years.

Research & Commentary: Chicago Municipal Wi-Fi

Matthew Glans
October 12, 2012

The City of Chicago recently unveiled plans to create a municipal wi-fi system allowing free access to high-speed wireless Internet services.

The Leaflet - The Future of State Tax Policy

John Nothdurft
October 11, 2012

Earlier this week the non-partisan Tax Foundation released its

Research & Commentary: Zero Interest Rate Policy

Matthew Glans
October 11, 2012

Since the 2006–07 financial crisis the Federal Reserve has taken several steps to stimulate the economy and unfreeze credit markets, which had ground to a halt after the bursting of the housing bub

Research & Commentary: Uranium Mining

Taylor Smith
October 10, 2012

Recent moratoria on uranium mining in states such as Virginia and Arizona have sparked debates about whether the benefits of uranium outweigh its costs.

Research & Commentary: Idaho Medicaid Expansion

Kendall Antekeier
October 10, 2012

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (popularly known as Obamacare), Idaho, like other states, must now decide whether to expand its Medicai