Opinion
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Across the Nation, Charter Schools Are Surging
Opinion -There has been a bumper crop of charter school stories this graduation season. What's more, the articles have been largely positive, a sign that these independently managed public schools are gaining popularity. -
FDA Is a Threat to Safety
Opinion -The solution to FDA's recent failures is not more funding, but less, much less, as in none. ("FDA Still Searching for Salmonella Cause," July 2) FDA, by its nature as an executive agency, is inherently prone to oversights and incompetence. -
Less Work, the Better
Opinion -I was delighted to learn of Utah's state employees' new work schedule ("State workers in Utah shifting to 4-day week," July 1). In an effort to reduce the state's costs in terms of energy used and salaries paid, Governor Huntsman made a wise decision. -
Consumer Power Report #134
Opinion -I’m keeping this issue fairly short this week since I know you are eager to get out of the office and start enjoying the Fourth of July Weekend.I actually prefer to call it Independence Day. -
Hands-Off Approach Works Best
Opinion -Insurance companies face a difficult dilemma in coastal states. -
Freight Rail Would Ease Virginia’s Transportation Problems
Opinion -Increased traffic congestion and oil prices are causing many Virginians' heads to spin as the legislature is locked in a stalemate. -
At What Cost Should We Stop Teen Smoking?
Opinion -The policies you suggest in your July 2 editorial, "States slack off on snuffing out teen smoking," might lower teen smoking rates a couple of percentage points, but at what cost to the general population and economy? -
More Freight Rail Would Save Commuters Time and Money
Opinion -Traffic congestion and oil prices are two frustrations Cleveland commuters face on a daily basis. (July 2, "Gov. -
Speculators Are a Smoke Screen
Opinion -Thank you for shedding some much needed light on the inane public discourse regarding speculation ("For Love of Speculators," July 2). -
Foreclosures Serve a Vital Purpose
Opinion -Maybe the American people will luck out and the Senate's foreclosure prevention attempt will go the way of comprehensive immigration reform. -
Pimp My Health Care Ride, Illinois Style
Opinion -Recently Sun-Times writer Monifa Thomas captured Illinois Gov. Blagojevich's penchant for mimicking MTV's Pimp My Ride reality show. -
States Should Consider Alternative Certification More Often
Opinion -A study released June 26 by the National Council on Teacher Quality shows elementary school teachers are not well prepared by education schools to teach math. -
Rhode Island Court Exonerates Paint Manufacturers: Experts Comment
Opinion -The Rhode Island Supreme Court ruled unanimously today (7/1/08) that paint companies cannot be held liable for current lead-paint abatement costs for paint they ceased manufacturing in 1955. -
New York Sets Record Cigarette Tax
Opinion -New York's state cigarette tax climbed from $1.50 to $2.75 a pack in June, the highest state cigarette tax burden in the nation. State officials, including New York Health Commissioner Dr. -
State Lotteries Stagnating?
Opinion -Has the day arrived for states to "cash in" on private payoffs from lotteries, leaving this business to the pros? -
Governors in Several Key States Continue to Push Lottery Privatization
Opinion -The dominoes have yet to fall toward lottery privatization as a way to add more money to state government coffers, but several persevering governors continue to look closely at the idea. -
Alabama Natural Gas Tax Hike Shelved
Opinion -As Alabama legislators headed home after the end of a special legislative session on June 1, many feared they'd soon be back to address a tax debate they had hoped was put to rest in the regular session. -
Gas Tax Holidays, Windfall Profit Taxes of Doubtful Value, Analysts Conclude
Opinion -As gasoline prices continue to climb, several state and national political leaders, including the major-party presidential contenders, have presented plans they say would ease consumers' pain. -
State Agency’s Plan to Buy Wrigley Field Stumbles Again
Opinion -Worries about violating Major League Baseball rules--and probably bigger worries about violating Internal Revenue Service rules--apparently have killed the latest proposal for an Illinois agency to buy Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs Major League -
Use of Tax Dollars to Influence Tax Vote Questioned in North Carolina County
Opinion -Taxes are an unpopular necessity of government, and elected officials have to communicate their concerns to gain voter support for increased levies. -
Iowa Governor Stops Expansion of Union Benefits
Opinion -Iowa Gov. Chet Culver (D) has vetoed a bill aimed at expanding the matters subject to collective bargaining for public school teachers throughout the state. -
Impressive Line-Up of Panelists
Opinion -Participants in the school funding and property tax debate sponsored by the Yankee Institute for Public Policy and The TALK of Connecticut radio network included: Connecticut's Speaker of the House, Democrat James A. -
Colorado Imposes New Mandate on State’s Insurers
Opinion -Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) has signed into law a bill requiring insurance companies to develop low-cost health insurance plans and submit them to a state oversight body. -
Many Uninsured Are Eligible, Not Enrolled in Gov’t Programs
Opinion -A new report by the Washington-based National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation suggests approximately one in four Americans who have no health coverage--nearly 12 million people, half of whom are children--are eligible for public