Opinion
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Utah Governor Herbert Signs Law Challenging Federal Lands Expansion
Opinion -Fed up with the federal government locking up state lands rich in economically productive natural resources, Utah governor Gary Herbert (R) has signed a bill authorizing the state to use eminent domain to seize federal lands and open them up for energy -
Commentary: Disingenuous Excuses to Hike Cable Tax
Opinion -Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen’s proposed $21 million cable tax would be bad for taxpayers and economic growth in the state. -
Los Angeles Abandons Renewable Transmission Line after Environmental Protests
Opinion -Giving in to fierce opposition from conservationist groups, the City of Los Angeles has abandoned plans to construct an 85-mile transmission line to deliver power from renewable sources to the nation’s second largest city. -
U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Decline
Opinion -U.S. carbon dioxide emissions fell by more than 6 percent in 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Energy Information Administration report. U.S. greenhouse gas emissions as a whole fell almost 3 percent. -
National Insurance Program Criticized as Beach-House Bailout
Opinion -Congress is considering a bill that proponents say would make property insurance more accessible and affordable and opponents say amounts to a “beach-house bailout.”The U.S. House Financial Services Committee in March held a hearing on H.R. -
Los Angeles Electricity Rates Skyrocket Due to Renewables
Opinion -Determined to fulfill his pledge to require Los Angeles to derive 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by end of the year, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is moving ahead with plans to impose a stiff carbon surcharge on monthly utility bills. -
Lawsuit Abuse Fortnightly #9-7
Opinion -A school district in upstate New York has a diversity awareness program, a conflict resolution program, mediation on racial issues, and character education, and the district works individually with students on discrimination issues. -
70 Speakers Set for 4th Climate Conference
Opinion -CHICAGO – More than 70 of the world’s leading climate scientists, economists, and policymakers will convene in Chicago, May 16-18, to address the fourth International Conference on Climate Change.Among the featured presenters are:* Dr. -
Good Times Roll for Michigan’s Government Employees
Opinion -Compensation for Michigan's citizens employed in the private sector decreased by 10.3 percent between 2007 and the third quarter of 2009, according to the most recent data available from the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis. -
Consumer Power Report #214
Opinion -It's ugly weather in Washington, DC today -- but last weekend, when Capitol Hill staffers were locked indoors in the final rush to vote on the Senate version of health care reform, it was the most beautiful weekend of the year. -
Education Dept. to Increase Civil Rights Enforcement
Opinion -The U.S. Department of Education plans to step up enforcement of civil rights laws in America’s public schools, according to Education Secretary Arne Duncan. -
Heartland Expert: Illinois Needs Far Bolder Pension Reform
Opinion -Steve Stanek, research fellow for The Heartland Institute, managing editor of Budget & Tax News, and coauthor of a forthcoming Heartland “report card” on public-sector pension reform, offered the following comments on the pension reform -
Alaska, Texas Reject Common Core Standards
Opinion -At least two states have rejected the Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI) draft standards submitted by state governors and endorsed by the Obama administration. -
Verizon Exec Challenges FCC Authority Over the Internet
Opinion -The executive vice president of Verizon says the Federal Communications Commission does not have the explicit power to regulate the Internet, and should wait for Congress to grant it that authority. -
California Charter ‘Rockets’ to Hybrid Learning Success
Opinion -A San Jose, California-based charter-school network has set out to show fewer teachers plus more focused computer time can add up to improved learning for disadvantaged students without breaking the bank. -
Teaching to the Test Dumbs Down School Standards
Opinion -It's understandable that Karl Rove would vigorously defend No Child Left Behind ("Obama Retreats on Education Reform," op-ed, March 18), which is arguably his former boss's signature domestic policy achievement. -
Letter to the Editor: Alaska Cruise Tax Should be Lowered
Opinion -Gov. Sean Parnell is right to call for a reduction in Alaska's steep $46-per-head tax on cruise passengers because of the harm it has done to the state's tourism industry (March 21, "Parnell wants cruise ship head tax reduced"). -
Letter to the Editor: Bad Tax Policy
Opinion -Creating exemptions, raising sales tax rates and discriminating against certain products with higher taxes are all examples of bad tax policy. By proposing such tax increases, state Sen. -
Consumer Power Report #213
Opinion -Health reform came to its ultimate, final, really big, humongous, historic, eye-popping, earth-shattering, sooper-dooper, conclusion this weekend. All to the music of a deal-making, posturing, arm-twisting, poll-ignoring band of crass politicians. -
Letter to the Editor: Obesity Tax Would Bloat Fiscal Woes
Opinion -According to your March 16 story, "Soda tax seems to be falling flat," the proposal to levy a soda tax in New York is all but dead ... for now. -
Senate Rejects Bid to Restore DC Scholarship Program Funding
Opinion -Despite strong bipartisan support, the Senate last week defeated an amendment by Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), to reauthorize and expand the District of Columbia’s Opportunity Scholarship Program. -
New Jersey Bill would Prevent Excessive Regulation
Opinion -New Jersey Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester) has introduced a bill that would prohibit state agencies from adopting new rules and regulations more stringent than federal standards without legislative permission. -
Will Lawmakers Dare Extend the Health Care Template? Will We Dare Resist?
Opinion -In Sunday’s late-night vote, our federal government gave itself the power to force Americans to buy something produced by private, profit-making companies: health insurance.Could this be the template to address other problems? -
Florida Can’t Afford Insurance Tax Plan
Opinion -Buried on Page 161 of the Obama administration's 2011 budget is the obscurely labeled tax proposal entitled "deduction disallowance for excess non-taxed reinsurance premiums paid to affiliates.
