Opinion
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Nonsmokers Benefit from Smokers
Opinion -Some economists note that any health care cost imposed on society by smokeless tobacco or any other product is technically a transfer that has been created by government through a quasi-socialized health care system. -
AMA Drops Call for Soft Drinks Tax
Opinion -The American Medical Association (AMA) has backed away from a proposed resolution calling for states and the federal government to levy special taxes on "sugary drinks that are devoid of nutritional value. -
Electricity Deregulation Hailed as a Success in Texas
Opinion -As of January 1, most retail prices for electricity in Texas will be completely deregulated, solidifying the state as the national leader in deregulating electricity markets. -
Washington State Begins to Explore Private Sponsorship of Parks
Opinion -The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is considering a draft proposal that would permit limited private "sponsorship" of state parks. -
Nonprofit Legal Services Corporation Lives Large on Taxpayer Dollars
Opinion -Free legal help is getting more expensive for taxpayers, and much of the money is going to waste. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC), which received $330. -
Florida Mayor Touts Principal Merit Pay
Opinion -A Florida mayor with a pioneering vision for education reform has given new priority to rewarding successful school leaders. In October, St. -
NJ Considers Tax Credits
Opinion -This year, the New Jersey General Assembly will consider a bill that would enable children living in troubled school districts to attend a private school. Defenders of the measure say it would ease financial pressure on several local school districts. -
California Exit Exam Blamed for Dropouts
Opinion -In 2006, California experienced a slight increase in its high school dropout rate, the first such increase in seven years, according to a study released on October 31 by the 55-year-old Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO), a coalition of -
Denver Expands Merit Pay to Include Principals
Opinion -An urban leader in teacher pay innovation has won a federal award to revamp how school administrators are compensated. In November, the United States Department of Education gave Denver Public Schools (DPS) a $22. -
Most States Not Helping Minority Students Achieve: Fordham Report
Opinion -A report released in November by the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation found most states have made minimal or no progress in boosting the proficiency levels of low-income and minority students in reading, math, or science. -
Arizona Voucher Programs Challenged in Court
Opinion -A lawsuit filed November 14 in the Arizona Supreme Court challenges the constitutionality of two new statewide voucher programs--one for foster children, the other for disabled children--created by the legislature last June. -
Texas Schools’ ‘Fight-Back Training’ Is Canceled After Media Slams
Opinion -After school-invasion murders gripped national headlines, a school district near Dallas hired a group to teach students to fight back if they encounter a gunman. -
Denver Superintendent Invites Reform Discussions
Opinion -A few months after the new school year began, Denver Public Schools (DPS) Superintendent Michael Bennet and other administrators invited community members from Denver’s northwest side to sit down and chat. -
Experienced Educator Offers Insights on Reform
Opinion -The Deserved Collapse of Public Schools: An Insider’s Solution for Reforming Education Richard G. -
The Disaster That Is Net Neutrality
Opinion -Under the guise of encouraging competition and protecting consumers, search engine giant Google is urging Michigan legislators to add a “network neutrality” provision to a telecommunications deregulation bill pending in the state senate. -
Consumer Power Report: Election Fallout
Opinion -Managed care companies took an instant hit in stock prices when the November 2006 election results came in. MarketWatch reported United Healthcare dropped 3 percent in one day, Cigna dropped 2 percent, and Humana was down 6 percent. -
Prescriptions for Progress
Opinion -The Cure: How Capitalism Can Save American Health Care By Dr. David Gratzer New York: Encounter Books, 2006 240 pages, hardcover, ISBN: 1-59403-153-3, $25. -
Railroad Seeks $2.3 Billion Federal Loan
Opinion -Sen. John Thune (R-SD) has added language to a federal railroad bill to enable the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad Corporation to secure a $2. -
Long-Term Structural Deficit Imperils Maryland Budget
Opinion -Despite projections of steady economic and revenue growth, Maryland leaders will soon have to come to grips with a long-term structural budget deficit in the state. Maryland enjoyed an estimated $1. -
‘Project Labor Agreements’ Send Construction Costs Soaring
Opinion -Government agencies across the country are being pressured by building trades unions to sign "project labor agreements" on public works construction projects. -
Who’s Really Behind the Anti-Wal-Mart Campaign?
Opinion -"To be honest, not to toot my own horn, but ACORN was really and turely [sic] the back bone of the ordinance. We did most of the organizing and turn out. -
‘Paycheck Protection’ Showdown Looms at U.S. Supreme Court
Opinion -The U.S. -
Cable Sports Deals Draw U.S. Senate Attention
Opinion -Congress is taking aim at the trend on the part of sports leagues to negotiate exclusive arrangements with cable, direct broadcast satellite (DBS), and other video service providers. Sen. -
First ‘State Law Compliant’ Snack Food Launched
Opinion -When Clif Bar & Co. was devising its new organic energy bar for kids in early 2004, product developers at the Berkley, California-based health food manufacturer turned to California Senate Bill 19 for direction.