Opinion
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UK Webcast Shows Value of New Approaches to Media
Opinion -A professionally produced, live streaming video program in the United Kingdom may be an indicator of the future of media in the Internet age. -
How Carriers Game the System
Opinion -Here's an explanation of how rural exchange carriers can work the regulated interconnection compensation rates to their advantage. Let's imagine three phone companies--Sam's Telephone Co., Karla's Telephone Co., and James' Telephone Co. -
Chicago Scraps Muni Wireless; Houston’s Plans Also on Hold
Opinion -In late August the City of Chicago pulled the plug on plans to build a citywide municipal wireless system after failing to come to terms with prospective partner EarthLink. -
Cities Rewrite Their Wireless Stories
Opinion -There's a certain amount of rewriting of history going on these days in municipal wireless circles. -
Wisconsin Senate OKs Record $15.2 Billion Tax Increase for Health Mandate
Opinion -A universal health insurance mandate that relies on a $15.2 billion payroll tax for funding has passed the Wisconsin Senate. -
GAO Warning: Huge State, Local Budget Deficits Loom
Opinion -State and local governments will have to raise taxes 17 percent or cut spending 14 percent to keep their operating budgets in balance over the next decade, according to a report issued July 18 by the federal Government Accountability Office (GAO). -
County Commissioner Gives Illinois Lawmakers an Earful over TIF Abuse
Opinion -Rarely does a person get a two-hour, closed-door meeting with Illinois' most powerful lawmakers. -
Study: Spending Reforms Are Key to Property Tax Relief in Conn.
Opinion -Spending reforms are essential to solving Connecticut's property tax crisis, but legislators and Gov. M. Jodi Rell (R) will need political courage to adopt them, according to a new study by the Hartford-based Yankee Institute for Public Policy. -
Impact Fees Reduce Housing Affordability, New Study Maintains
Opinion -Impact fees provide one of the most potent weapons for both sides in the battle over sprawl. -
Billions in Tobacco Taxes to Fuel Expansion of Federal Health Program
Opinion -The big question over reauthorization of the federal government's State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) appears to be this: $35 billion, $50 billion, or something in between? On August 1, the U.S. -
Tax Hike on Cigars, Other Tobacco Products Proposed
Opinion -Cigar makers and distributors were stunned to learn legislation to fund an expansion of the federal State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) included a potential 20,000 percent increase in the tax on cigars. That is not a misprint. -
Excise Taxes Impose Growing Burden on the Poor
Opinion -See if this rule makes sense to you: If you want to help poor children, do not raise taxes on poor families. -
State of the Unions: Big Labor’s Decline Explained
Opinion -Is the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), the 1935 law designed to protect and invigorate the labor movement, responsible for the past 50 years of the movement's decline? Michael Wachter, the William B. -
Competing Health Reform Plans Battle it Out on Campaign Trail
Opinion -In early September, Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said he wants to make preventive care mandatory in his proposed universal health insurance system. -
Fall Showdown Looms for U.S. Farm Bill
Opinion -The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are at odds over the outlines of a comprehensive farm bill, and an extension of the five-year-old law currently in effect may be necessary. -
Negotiation Documents Are Public Record, Judge Rules
Opinion -A Washington state judge has ruled that documents exchanged between the state and public employee unions during contract negotiations are public records and can be disclosed to taxpayers. -
Debate Over Public-Private Highway Partnerships Takes a New Turn
Opinion -The latest chapter in the continuing debate about the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) has featured uncharacteristically blunt congressional criticism and equally pointed rejoinders from the states. -
Floridians Rebel Against Governor’s Global Warming Proposals
Opinion -Greenhouse gas restrictions proposed by Florida Gov. -
Salmon Farming Controversy Goes to Ninth Circuit
Opinion -In a fight against a court decision that many have characterized as unnecessary regulation of fishermen, business people, and private property owners, Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) attorneys on August 2 filed a notice of appeal for Trout Unlimited v. -
Arizona Charter Schools Fight for Autonomy
Opinion -Five Arizona charter schools must abide by all state standards for now, a Maricopa County Court judge ruled August 7. -
Civic Group Finds Illinois Charter Schools Don’t Drain Resources
Opinion -In July, the Chicago-based, nonpartisan Civic Federation released a comprehensive study showing Illinois charter schools do not place undue financial burdens on their host school districts and do not hamper districts' ability to manage finances. -
Hispanics Want Candidates to Focus on Education: Poll
Opinion -If 2008 presidential hopefuls want a piece of the Latino voting pie, they must concentrate on their educational agendas and focus on the future of America's public education system, according to the results of a national poll released July 23. -
Michigan Economy Declines as Legislature Fiddles
Opinion -The depth of the economic crisis in Michigan is greater than ever, and there is little evidence of a turnaround any time soon. Consider the following data from May and June of this year: Michigan had the highest unemployment rate in the nation, at 7. -
Washington State Government Workers Get Record Raises
Opinion -The current collective bargaining agreements between Washington state and its employee unions give state employees the largest raises some have ever seen. The minimum increase union-represented employees will receive is 12.
