Opinion
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Citrus Disease Prompts Talk of Genetic Engineering
Opinion -A new citrus disease is killing off Florida crops, sparking scientists to take a serious look at genetic engineering as a long-range solution. -
Heartland Institute Advocates Prayer to Protect Florida from Hurricanes
Opinion -TALLAHASSEE, APRIL 1, 2010—The Heartland Institute, whose policy analysts have long been sharp critics of Gov. -
Rising CO2 Levels Improving Tree Growth
Opinion -Rising amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide are benefitting tree growth, with forests in the Chesapeake Bay region growing two to four times faster than expected, scientists report in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. -
2010 April School Reform News (full text pdf)
Opinion -The April 2010 issue of School Reform News reports on the Obama administration’s announcement of 16 finalists for its first allocation of Race to the Top education funds. -
Illinois Senate Approves Test Voucher Program for Chicago
Opinion -The Illinois Senate has approved private school vouchers for up to 22,000 Chicago students from low-performing public schools. -
Florida Rail Unlikely to Attract Riders
Opinion -A proposed high speed train route between Tampa and Orlando is slated to receive more than $1 billion in federal stimulus funds, but analysts report the “high speed” rail service will have trouble attracting riders because it will take about -
McDonnell Signs Virginia Law Supporting Offshore Energy Production
Opinion -Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell (R) has signed into law a bill supporting offshore oil and gas production. -
Costs of Health Care Debacle Will Be High
Opinion -The legislative victory of President Obama’s massive health care overhaul among Washington's political class comes at a high cost for Wisconsinites and Americans forced to swallow this bitter pill. -
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.