Opinion
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States Target Health Providers, Hospitals for Federal Medicaid Match
Opinion -A second economic stimulus plan may soon be on the table, but a new Tax Foundation analysis shows several states are taking advantage of one provision of the first stimulus bill—increased federal matching rates for Medicaid—at the expense of -
High Spending Has San Francisco in Dire Budget Crunch
Opinion -With San Francisco spending more than $8,000 a year per resident—more than in Denver, New York, and Philadelphia—and more than the entire Idaho state government spends ($6. -
Market Institutions Can Protect Against Fed’s Manipulations
Opinion -The nation is in the midst of a financial crisis, according to most analysts, but arguments rage among them over what to do about it.At the heart of government policy is the Federal Reserve, which some people blame for many of the economic woes. -
House Finance Committee Considers Legalizing Internet Gambling
Opinion -The House Financial Services Committee is considering bills that would pave the way for legalized online gambling in the United States. -
Congressional Inertia on Transportation Reform Persists
Opinion -Shortly before the scheduled December 18 expiration of the third temporary extension of the federal government’s surface transportation program, the House and the Senate passed another short-term extension, this time through the end of February -
Health-Care Tax Hikes Shred President’s Pledges
Opinion -President Obama is on a collision course with his central campaign promise, a “firm pledge” not to raise “any form” of taxes on families making less than $250,000 per year. -
Payday Lending Limits May Be Harming Borrowers
Opinion -Despite mounting evidence showing short-term loans are a help to many people, states have been implementing laws severely limiting or banning certain types of short-term loans, often called payday loans. -
2010 February InfoTech & Telecom News (full text PDF)
Opinion -The February 2010 issue of InfoTech & Telecom News reports on the Federal Trade Commission’s recently filed lawsuit against Intel Corp., charging the company has illegally worked to stifle competition. -
Record Corn, Soybean Crops Dampen Warming Fears
Opinion -U.S. farmers set new records in 2009 for corn and soybean production, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, driving another nail in the coffin of alarmist claims that global warming threatens agricultural production.The 2009 U.S. -
Guest Editorial: Junk Food Tax is Junk Policy
Opinion -Junk food tax, fast-food tax, fat tax, soda tax, candy tax-by any name, the only thing these taxes succeed in making slimmer is your pocketbook. -
Obama Proposes Federal Floodplain Management Update
Opinion -The Obama administration has drafted an executive order updating the federal government’s floodplain management efforts. -
Appraiser Code That Has Roiled Real Estate Industry Could End
Opinion -Pending federal legislation could end the Home Valuation Code of Conduct, instituted less than one year ago to protect consumers against inflated home appraisals. -
Food Stamp Enrollment Hits Record, Doubles 2000 Level
Opinion -One in eight Americans, including one in four children, now receive government-subsidized food stamps, a record high. -
Unlimited Backing for Fannie, Freddie Draws Fire
Opinion -Annual reports for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac used to declare, “Neither company has received any taxpayer dollars. In addition, no taxpayer funds are needed for their safety and soundness. -
New Orleans Workers Roll in Taxpayer-Paid Cars
Opinion -In addition to police officers and sheriff’s deputies, well over 200 New Orleans employees continue to enjoy the taxpayer-financed perk of driving a city-owned vehicle, according to the latest city report and other public documents. -
Don’t Give Government Credit for Dumping Plastic Bags
Opinion -The proposal to tax and then subsequently ban plastic bags in Florida grocery stores is yet another unnecessary interference into the private choices of individuals and businesses (Jan. -
Should States Such As North Carolina Be Able to Ban Smoking in Restaurants And Bars?
Opinion -NOAs President Calvin Coolidge once said, “Ultimately property rights and personal rights are the same thing. -
Rising Debt Ceiling Raises U.S. Default Worries
Opinion -The federal debt ceiling is set to rise to close to $14 trillion just before Valentine's Day, which will move America one step closer to default, according to one renowned economist. -
Policy Summary: Indiana Proposal to Protect Alcohol Wholesalers Is Bad for Consumers
Opinion -Indiana should be wary of plans before the legislature that would protect a few large alcohol wholesalers from free-market competition, as this proposal would hurt smaller businesses and consumers in the state. -
Michigan House Passes Heavy Auto Insurance Regulations
Opinion -Michigan’s House of Representatives has approved a package of bills that proponents claim will lower auto insurance rates and opponents assert will do the opposite.Next step for the legislative package is the state Senate. -
Louisiana Mulls Restructuring Insurer; Regulators Urge Caution
Opinion -Public policy advocates and state regulators say Louisiana’s legislature should take a deliberate, skeptical look at a commission’s recommendation that the state restructure its property insurer of last resort. -
How Much Do ‘Surtax Returns’ Already Pay in Federal Income Taxes?
Opinion -The Tax Foundation has received requests as to the amount of federal individual income taxes that are paid by those who would be affected by the proposed surtax in the House health care bill. -
Forgotten Highways Can Give Boost to Small Towns
Opinion -John Gann has driven hundreds of thousands of miles during his many years as a community and economic development consultant, and he has become convinced thousands of small towns are failing to take advantage of an asset many of them view as a liability: -
Don’t Even Think About It
Opinion -Brett Favre is playing well, the Vikings won the NFC North, and life is pretty good for football fans in Minnesota. So naturally, the lobbying to build a new Vikings stadium is heating up ("County's out of Vikings home hunt," Jan. 5).