Recent Research

Research & Commentary: High-Speed Rail

Matthew Glans
October 24, 2012

In 2009 in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Congress allocated $8 billion to send to states for intercity rail projects, with “priority to projects that support the development of

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: Hydraulic Fracturing in Michigan

Taylor Smith
October 22, 2012

On Wednesday, October 24, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will auction off state-owned rights to several oil and gas leases affecting approximately 164,000 acres in the state.

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