Opinion
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Washington State Lawmakers Cut $600 Million in One-Day Session
Opinion -Washington State legislators approved nearly $600 million in budget cuts to shrink a $1.1 billion deficit in a one-day special legislative session. -
Obama Backs Collective Bargaining for Airport Screeners
Opinion -Airport security screeners employed by the Transportation Security Administration may soon have a labor union backing them. -
High-Speed Rail ‘Low Ball Express’ Raises Taxpayer Concerns
Opinion -You know something is up when a Washington Post editorial advises the Obama administration to do a "reality check" on its plans for high-speed rail. -
Federal Reserve’s Statements Don’t Match Its Actions
Opinion -The Fed has finally reported relevant money data for December. In the two months from October through December (roughly referred to as the QE2 period), the Fed increased bank reserves by $34.3 billion. -
Property Tax, Pay Caps Highlight Christie’s New Jersey Reforms
Opinion -After a year in office, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has persuaded lawmakers to pass several bold reforms to slow government spending and ease the state’s tax burden. -
Tampa-Orlando High-Speed Rail Could Cost $3 Billion More Than Expected
Opinion -If the proposed Tampa to Orlando high-speed rail line goes over budget or fails to meet ridership expectations, Florida taxpayers could get stuck with a bill of up to $3 billion, according to a new report from the Reason Foundation. -
Texas’ High-Risk Auto Insurance Pool Continues to Shrink
Opinion -The number of high-risk drivers using the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association to obtain coverage has continued to plunge, according to the latest biennial report from the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). -
Estate Tax Battle Continues
Opinion -2011 ushered in the return of the estate tax—“death tax” to its critics.Lawmakers extended for another two years the federal tax rates enacted in 2001 and 2003. Those included annual drops in the estate tax until it hit zero in 2010. -
Estate Tax Presents Moral Problems
Opinion -A 2005 study of the estate tax by the Congressional Budget Office included this honest line: "Economic studies have had limited success in identifying how the estate tax may influence the behavior of farmers and small-business owners. -
Oregon Raises Income Tax, Lowers Revenue Projections
Opinion -Oregon voters last year approved measures raising the income tax on the wealthiest 2 percent of the state’s residents, those earning more than $250,000, but the new tax has brought in much less revenue than expected. -
Supreme Court Sides With Chase in Credit Card Default Case
Opinion -On December 8 the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Chase Bank USA v. -
Governors Begin Battle with Public-Sector Unions
Opinion -Facing skyrocketing budget deficits, governors around the nation are readying themselves for a fight with public-sector unions as they look for ways to rein in spending. -
More Municipalities Using Car Crashes As Money-Makers
Opinion -New proposals to create accident fees which opponents have dubbed “crash taxes” continue to emerge in municipalities across the country. -
Why Do We Have a Central Bank?
Opinion -Why do nations have central banks? Countries have developed without one, and sophisticated financial systems have evolved in their absence. Some countries with a central bank have suffered for having one. Zimbabwe comes to mind. -
Race to the Top Also-Rans Contemplate Next Reform Steps
Opinion -States that embraced Race to the Top reforms but didn’t receive a piece of the $4.35 billion in federal grant money are weighing whether to keep the reforms. -
Brady Puts Bill of Rights in Crosshairs
Opinion -I was driving on I-75 in my home state nearly two weeks ago, enjoying the music of public radio at its finest. Until the horrible news of the Tucson bloodbath ended that peaceful interlude. -
Heartland Institute Experts React to Obamacare Repeal Vote
Opinion -The House of Representatives voted today to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The following statements from health care policy experts at The Heartland Institute may be used for attribution. -
FCC and DOJ Approve Comcast/NBCU Merger
Opinion -After more than a year waiting for government permission, the pending merger between broadcast content provider NBC-Universal and cable giant Comcast finally obtained approval from the Federal Communications Commission and Department of Justice. -
FCC Open Internet Order Prompts Verizon Lawsuit
Opinion -In the first of what many analysts predict will be several lawsuits against the Federal Communications Commission after the agency passed new regulations mandating net neutrality late this past December, Verizon Communications filed an appeal challenging -
Wisconsin Virtual Charter Schools Battle Enrollment Cap
Opinion -Virtual charter schools in Wisconsin are pressing the state’s Department of Public Instruction to lift a cap on the number of students they’re allowed to enroll. “We want to see [the cap] done away with altogether. -
Franken’s Unnecessary Scare
Opinion -Last week, Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) attempted another transformation. The former TV funnyman decided to forego punch lines and pratfalls in favor of scare tactics to push his opposition to the NBC Universal merger with Comcast. -
For-Profit College Regs Advance Despite Questions
Opinion -The U.S. Department of Education is pressing forward with new regulations aimed at curtailing the growth of private, for-profit institutions of higher learning. -
U.S. Education Department Pushes Anti-Bullying Initiatives on States, Locals
Opinion -In the wake of a series of high-profile teen suicides, the Obama administration says it plans this year to promote initiatives aimed at combating bullying in schools. -
Is Monetary Policy Helping Economic Recovery?
Opinion -Recovery from a recession can be a tricky thing. However, it need not be. The simple approach is to identify the cause, fashion the policies that deal with the cause, and then let the market adjust without obstacles from the government.
