Opinion
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Hybrids, Hydrogen Vehicles Struggle to Meet Expectations
Opinion -Despite the promises made on behalf of hybrid electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, alternative fuel technologies are proving unready to replace gasoline-powered engines. -
Important U.S. Climate Program Is Unheralded
Opinion -European greens expressed their displeasure with President George W. Bush during his February visit to Europe, for U.S. unwillingness to support the Kyoto accord, with its greenhouse gas emissions cuts for developed nations. -
In the News
Opinion -Court Says FTTH Plan Requires Vote A Louisiana court has ruled that the city of Lafayette acted improperly when it approved a $125 million bond issue to fund a municipal fiber to the home (FTTH) system. -
Judge Orders $7.4 Billion More for NYC Schools
Opinion -State Supreme Court Justice Leland DeGrasse of Manhattan has ordered New York state to ensure that within four years the New York City school system has another $7.4 billion a year to spend on top of the $12.9 billion a year the system already consumes. -
Judge Orders Sharply Higher Spending for New York City Public Schools
Opinion -Culminating a 12-year court battle over the funding of New York City's public schools, New York State Supreme Court Justice Leland DeGrasse issued a final decision on February 15 ordering the state legislature and governor to spend an additional $5. -
Lawmakers Move to Reform Union Political Finance Practices
Opinion -Public employee unions' political practices are drawing increased scrutiny from state-level lawmakers, some of whom are moving forward with reforms aimed at protecting the rights of individual union members. -
Missourians Seek Local Control of Watershed
Opinion -During the waning moments of last year's state legislative session, Missouri policymakers approved a law (HB 1433) designed to protect clean water in the southwestern portion of the state. Gov. Bob Holder (D) signed the bill on June 30, 2004. -
Movement for Supermajorities to Raise Taxes Growing Fast
Opinion -Illinois Republican House Minority Leader Tom Cross is proposing legislation that would require a "supermajority" vote in both houses before the General Assembly could raise income or sales taxes, raising the threshold for these taxes from a simple -
New Mexico Takes Up Medical Marijuana
Opinion -New Mexico may become the eleventh state to allow seriously ill people to possess and use medical marijuana while it remains illegal under federal law. -
Oregon to Test Plan that Taxes Motorists by Miles Driven
Opinion -Several states are considering shifting from per-gallon fuel taxes to mile-based tax systems, none more seriously than Oregon. -
Privatization Brings Big Savings to Michigan’s State Universities
Opinion -Budget pressure in recent years has forced Michigan's public institutions of higher education toward cost savings and contracting out of services, according to news reports and a recent survey by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. -
Science Verifies Crichton’s State of Fear Assertions
Opinion -Michael Crichton's new novel, State of Fear, has created a whirlwind of controversy as global warming alarmists try frantically to discredit the author's tenacious assault on global warming theory. -
Spending, Not Tax Cuts, Has Sent Federal Deficit Spiraling
Opinion -You know that fiscal sanity has flown south for the winter when Nancy Pelosi and Ted Kennedy are throwing eggs at the Republicans for their budgetary recklessness. -
States Should Support the FTAA
Opinion -In February, the Utah Senate and House each passed resolutions urging Congress to oppose the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). -
Students Benefit from Project CREO
Opinion -A total of 531 students transferred to better-performing public schools and more than 200 were able to receive tutoring services during 2003-04 as a result of help provided by Project CREO, according to a February 2005 update from Hispanic CREO, the -
Telecom Reform: Here Come the States
Opinion -In February, Alabama became the latest state to place telecom reform on its legislative agenda. Senate Bill 114 and its House counterpart, House Bill 112, call for deregulation of wireline dial-tone services. -
‘Transition Costs’ for Social Security Reform an Illusion
Opinion -Contrary to conventional thinking, allowing workers to invest a portion of their Social Security taxes through personal retirement accounts will incur no net cost to the federal government. The misconception that there will be new costs--i.e. -
Unexpected Tax Hike Drills Alaska Oil Producers
Opinion -Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski (R) surprised oil and gas industry officials in his State of the State speech on January 12 by announcing a $150 million tax increase on an industry that already pays more than 80 percent of the state's general fund budget. -
Uninterrupted Gloom and Doom: A Review of State of the World 2005
Opinion -State of the World 2005 the Worldwatch Institute $18.95 paper, 237 pages; W.W. -
Wisconsin to Collect Internet Tax Despite Federal Ban
Opinion -The State of Wisconsin plans to keep collecting its Internet access tax, despite a federal law designed to require the state to drop the tax in 2006. -
Noted Proponent of Health Care Reform Dies Unexpectedly
Opinion -(Chicago, IL) Conrad Meier, one of the nation's leading advocates of market-based reform of health care, passed away unexpectedly on March 18, 2005. He was 69 years old. -
Governor’s Drug Scheme Isn’t Working
Opinion -When will the governor admit his illegal drug importation scheme isn't working as promised? -
When Will the Anti-Smoking Propaganda Stop?
Opinion -In recent years, there have been lots of headlines about medical discoveries linking coronary illness to obesity and genetics ... yet the anti-smoking lobby never lowers its estimates of deaths attributable to smoking as these other figures increase. -
Heartland to Host Capital Forum in Springfield, Illinois on April 7
Opinion -HEARTLAND TO HOST APRIL 7 CAPITAL FORUM IN SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS The Heartland Institute cordially invites you to a public policy forum and free breakfast featuring: Steven Titch, managing editor of IT&T News and one of the country's leading