Research and Commentaries

The emergence of social media has elevated political dialogue and discourse to a breadth nearly unimaginable a decade ago. When originally developed, these emerging technologies and mediums made the democratization of free speech possible. However, this mass communication network is managed by a handful of large technology firms that are protected from liability and functionally […]

Legislation in the Louisiana House of Representatives would combat environmental, social and governance (ESG) scoring systems and ensure Louisianans are not discriminated against for ideological reasons by financial institutions based on their exercise of speech, political activity, religious views, or their occupation. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) scores are essentially a risk assessment mechanism increasingly being used […]

As pressure builds on the 10 remaining “holdout” states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act ( also known as Obamacare), Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves isn’t just holding his ground, he’s challenging Republicans in his own party to reject what he calls “Obamacare Medicaid expansion.” Mississippi Republicans, who control both the House […]

The Hawaii Legislature is attempting to elucidate the extent of gubernatorial powers during a state of emergency with House Bill 522. Under current law, during a state of emergency, the governor maintains the power to suspend electronic media transmission. HB 522 considers how broad and vague the verbiage is in the current statutes and would […]

The Hawaii Legislature is attempting to elucidate the extent of gubernatorial powers during a state of emergency with Senate Bill 103. Under current law, during a state of emergency, the governor maintains the power to suspend electronic media transmission. SB 103 considers how broad and vague the verbiage is in the current statutes and would […]

The Hawaii Legislature is attempting to elucidate the extent of gubernatorial powers during a state of emergency with Senate Bill 2173. Under current law, during a state of emergency, the governor maintains the power to suspend electronic media transmission. SB 2173 considers how broad and vague the verbiage is in the current statutes and would […]

The Hawaii Legislature is attempting to elucidate the extent of gubernatorial powers during a state of emergency with House Bill 2581. Under current law, during a state of emergency, the governor maintains the power to suspend electronic media transmission. HB 2581 considers how broad and vague the verbiage is in the current statutes and would […]

An aging and declining population throughout rural America is creating a double whammy for those tasked with providing health care. A recent study found that of the 1,810 rural hospitals operating in the United States, 50 percent were operating at a loss and 410 risk closure. As workforce shortages continue to worsen this trend, states […]

One-in-five (about 30 million) working Americans are bound by noncompete agreements. Noncompete agreements are routinely executed to prevent valuable, and sometimes proprietary, information from traveling with employees when they change jobs. Technology companies thrive in a highly competitive environment where the coin of the realm is novelty. So, it is understandable that many such employers […]

Certificate of Need (CON) restrictions prohibit new most proposed medical facilities in Georgia. Diagnostic imaging facilities, surgical centers, nursing homes, birthing centers, and hospitals require burdensome CON approvals before a permit to build is even considered. Hospitals and doctors to go through a governmental approval process, costing time and money.   Beginning in 1964 with […]

Legislation in the South Carolina House of Representatives, the Farmer Protection Act, which would combat environmental, social and governance (ESG) scoring systems and ensure South Carolina’s farmers are not discriminated against by financial institutions based on environmental policy. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) scores are essentially a risk assessment mechanism increasingly being used by investment firms […]

Legislation in the South Carolina House of Representatives would expand the Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program (ESTF) so that every South Carolina family can participate in it. ESTF, an education savings account (ESA) program established just last year, covers tuition, fees, and curricula for eligible children at private and parochial schools, as well as tutoring […]

Legislation in the Utah Senate would nearly double the budget of the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program, an education savings account (ESA) program and double the number of children able to participate in it. The accounts set up by the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program, established just last year, cover tuition, fees, and curricula for […]

The Georgia House of Representatives is considering House Bill 1507, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Peach State from its current $5.15 per hour to $8 per hour, effective immediately.  Historically, some state lawmakers have advocated for quick “fixes” in response to perilous economic situations, such as minimum wage hikes. However, minimum […]

The Tennessee House of Representatives is considering House Bill 819, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Volunteer State from its current $7.25 per hour to $12 per hour, effective July 1, 2024.  Historically, some state lawmakers have advocated for quick “fixes” in response to perilous economic situations, such as minimum wage hikes. […]

Legislation in the Georgia House of Representatives would combat environmental, social and governance (ESG) scoring systems and ensure state pension funds are invested solely to achieve the maximum return on investment for pensioners, rather than advancing social or political causes that may likely lead to lower returns and financial underperformance. ESG scores are essentially a risk assessment mechanism increasingly […]

Legislation in the Alabama Senate, the Creating Hope & Opportunity for Our Students’ Education (CHOOSE) Act, would create an education savings account (ESA) program that would be open to all Alabama children by the 2027–28 school year. These accounts would cover tuition, fees, and curricula for children at private and parochial schools, as well as […]

The Mississippi House of Representatives is considering House Bill 16, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Magnolia State from its current $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour. Furthermore, HB 16 would require that on September 30, 2024, and on September 30 of each subsequent year, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security […]

The Mississippi House of Representatives is considering House Bill 67, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Magnolia State from its current $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour.  Furthermore, HB 67 would require that employers with tipped employees be exempt from the requirement to pay the state minimum wage and to establish […]

The Mississippi House of Representatives is considering House Bill 306, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Magnolia State from its current $7.25 per hour to $8.50 per hour.  Furthermore, HB 306 would require that employers with tipped employees be exempt from the requirement to pay the state minimum wage and to establish […]

The Mississippi House of Representatives is considering House Bill 584, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Magnolia State from its current $7.25 per hour to $10 per hour.  Furthermore, HB 584 would require that employers with tipped employees be exempt from the requirement to pay the state minimum wage and to establish […]

The Mississippi House of Representatives is considering House Bill 71, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Magnolia State from its current $7.25 per hour to $10 per hour.  Furthermore, HB 71 would require that employers with tipped employees be exempt from the requirement to pay the state minimum wage and to establish […]

Legislation in the Oklahoma House of Representatives would combat environmental, social and governance (ESG) scoring regimes by ensuring that taxpayer dollars do not fund commercial boycotts that reduce economic growth, cause job losses, and shrink Oklahoma’s tax base. ESG scores are essentially a risk assessment mechanism increasingly being used by investment firms and financial institutions […]

Legislation in the Ohio General Assembly would combat environmental, social and governance (ESG) scoring systems and ensure state pension funds are invested solely to achieve the maximum return on investment for pensioners, rather than advancing social or political causes that may likely lead to lower returns and financial underperformance. ESG scores are essentially a risk assessment mechanism increasingly […]