Opinion
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Water Problems Real but Workable
Opinion -Healthy Waters Mike Magee, M.D. Pfizer, November 2005 160 pages, $19. -
State Action on Net Neutrality Invites Costly Lawsuits
Opinion -Having failed to muster support in Congress for regulating Internet transmission, proponents of so-called “network neutrality” are turning to state legislatures for action. -
Low-Tax States Cut Poverty Rates: Study
Opinion -Fiscally prudent states appear to be winning the war on poverty, according to a recent study by the Goldwater Institute, which found low-tax and low-spending states are more successful at reducing poverty than their high-tax, high-spending counterparts. -
Provo Municipal Broadband Stumbles as Others Have
Opinion -After only two years, the municipal broadband system in Provo, Utah has begun to show the pattern of losses and declining net asset value experienced by other cities that have mounted expensive fiber optic networking projects, according to a report -
Private Money, Tolls Roads Recommended to Reduce Atlanta Traffic Jams
Opinion -Atlanta needs a major rethinking and rewriting of its long-range transportation plan, including four major toll road projects that would significantly reduce the region's current and projected traffic congestion, according to a new Reason -
10 More States Offer Tax Break to Organ Donors
Opinion -Since 2004, when Wisconsin became the first state to offer residents an income tax break for donating an organ, 10 other states have adopted similar legislation: Georgia in 2004; Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Utah in 2005; and -
Airplane Tax Hurting Kentucky Economy, Critics Say
Opinion -A tax on tangible personal property that is being collected in only four Kentucky counties is harming the state's economy and holding down employment, according to a state senator and economic development advocates. -
Congress Being Pushed to Index Capital Gains Taxes for Inflation
Opinion -Just weeks before the Congressional recess, momentum was building in Congress to change the method for calculating capital gains taxes, by adjusting investors' gains for inflation. -
Data Mining Can’t Improve Security
Opinion -When the U.S. Department of Homeland Security put into effect its Automated Targeting System (ATS) in December, it added to a growing list of programs that use information about ordinary Americans to seek after terrorists. -
FCC Gives Franchise Reform a Boost
Opinion -While it lacks the power to create a national franchising process, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) did its bit in December for competition and choice in cable and video services by voting to institute a 90-day “shot clock” for local approval -
Gulf Stream Will Not Shut Down, Science Magazines Admit
Opinion -Put away your snow shovels, ear muffs, and portable indoor heaters, scientists now say, because global warming will not trigger a new ice age after all. -
Healthy NY Now Offers HSA Option
Opinion -Working families of four in New York who earn less than $49,875 annually, and individuals earning less than $25,125, became eligible in January to enroll in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) as part of the -
In The News
Opinion -Senators Draft Wireless Tax Moratorium Bill Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Jim DeMint (R-SC) have introduced legislation that would impose a three-year moratorium on state and local governments adopting new taxes on wireless services. -
Michigan OKs More Video Service Competition
Opinion -After a year of bitter debate, the Michigan Legislature in December approved franchise reforms intended to increase competition in video services. -
Michigan Voters Reject Education Spending Mandate
Opinion -Michigan voters overwhelmingly rejected a November ballot measure that would have mandated annual increases in funding for public education, in large part because school employee pensions became a major issue. -
Most States Are Satisfied with Federal Mercury Standard
Opinion -Only 22 of the 50 states are considering mercury reduction plans more stringent than the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR) enacted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). -
Patent Law Confuses Application with Invention
Opinion -In November, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of KSR v. Teleflex. -
Pension Practices Angering Taxpayers
Opinion -Recent news stories about questionable practices involving government employee pensions are creating a backlash among taxpayers and some lawmakers. -
Presenting Science Without Bias: A profile of Robert Ferguson
Opinion -Robert Ferguson had a high-level job at a famous educational institution where he had proved himself for two decades ... but he gave it up to start a new venture. Unlike many entrepreneurs, Ferguson did not start a for-profit business. -
Private Firefighters Are Popular in Arizona
Opinion -Use of private firefighters and paramedics has been a longstanding practice in Arizona, where Scottsdale-based Rural/Metro Corporation runs 37 fire stations, making it the second-largest fire department in the state. -
San Diego Council Bans Retail Choice; Mayor Mulls Veto
Opinion -Wal-Mart Stores Inc. -
Senators Propose Wireless Tax Moratorium
Opinion -U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Jim DeMint (R-SC) are leading a move against the imposition of new "discriminatory" taxes on wireless communications services. -
State of the Unions: Media Spread False Claims About Minimum Wage Workers
Opinion -In states considering an increase in the minimum wage, news outlets have been profiling the struggles of those they call the "typical minimum wage worker. -
States Offer Organ Donors Tax Breaks
Opinion -As chairman of organ transplantation at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, Dr. Hans Sollinger has seen hundreds of individuals and families undergo financial and emotional stress after donating an organ. So when he learned state Rep.