Opinion
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Eat French Fries, Go to Jail
Opinion -In a culture where political correctness runs amok, sometimes it seems like the only people it's still OK to discriminate against are the obese. -
‘Fair Share’ Bills Aimed at Wal-Mart Move through State Legislatures
Opinion -A study released in June by the Council for Affordable Health Insurance (CAHI) sheds light on the effect of so-called "Wal-Mart bills," which several states are considering to reduce the number of uninsured residents. -
Cuba, China Drilling for Oil 50 Miles from Florida Shores
Opinion -Legislation to relax restrictions on offshore oil and gas recovery passed the U.S. House of Representatives Resources Committee on June 21 by a vote of 29-9. -
Florida Seeks Authority over State Wetlands
Opinion -Buoyed by water quality that has dramatically improved under the Jeb Bush administration and an efficient wetlands permitting process, Florida officials are seeking greater autonomy from the federal government in regulating the state's wetlands. -
Okla. Passes $600 Million Income Tax Cut
Opinion -During a special session of the Oklahoma Legislature in June, lawmakers approved a $600 million tax cut, the largest tax cut in the state's history. The new $7 billion budget also sets a spending record. -
Congressional Commission Proposed to Study Impact of Online Gambling
Opinion -The American Gaming Association (AGA) may be softening its stance against online gambling, and a bill before Congress could begin efforts to study legalization and regulatory options. -
Money Runs Out, Then What?
Opinion -Illinois Gov. -
The Obsession with ‘Data Breach Notification’
Opinion -Despite its inherent problems, legislation on “breach notification” continues to float around Capitol Hill. It started with a 2004 bill by Sen. -
Patients Get Direct Access to Lab Tests
Opinion -One of the most basic aspects of health care reform is getting consumers to take more responsibility for their own wellness and disease prevention. -
Jeb Bush Urges End to Ethanol Tariff
Opinion -The federal government should abolish its tariff on imported ethanol to make possible an affordable alternative to foreign oil, urged Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) on June 5 after meeting with Brazil's Minister of Agriculture, Roberto Rodrigues. -
Texas Will Host First New U.S. Nuclear Plants Since 1970s
Opinion -Not a single nuclear power plant has been commissioned in the United States since 1978, but that is about to change as General Electric and Hitachi have announced a joint venture to build two nuclear power plants in Texas. -
Congress, White House Address Takings Abuses
Opinion -The U.S. House of Representatives passed the "Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2005" with a substantial bipartisan majority in November 2005. -
Washington State May Collect Disputed Taxes, Court Says
Opinion -A court ruling that invalidated Washington State taxes on liquor and extended warranties has been stayed by a state supreme court commissioner pending the outcome of an appeal. -
New Jersey Hospital Bed Tax Scuttled
Opinion -A proposal to impose a bed tax on all 74 hospitals that operate in partnership with the New Jersey state government failed in June when state Senate President Richard Codey (D-West Orange) declared to reporters, "The hospital bed tax, it's in the morgue -
Consumers Pressure Lawmakers to Cut Telecom Taxes
Opinion -Nearly five years after the National Governors Association and National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) urged states to reform and modernize their telecommunications taxes, most states have failed to enact meaningful reforms. -
Senate Bill Promises Bevy of Consumer Benefits
Opinion -In June, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee approved the Communications, Consumer Choice and Broadband Deployment Act of 2006, sponsored by Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Daniel Inouye (D-HI). -
The MySpace Middleman Isn’t the Problem
Opinion -Government officials have a new target in the ongoing Internet censorship wars: social networking Web sites. Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and several members of the newly formed congressional “Suburban Caucus” recently introduced H.R. -
La. Governor Blocks Video Franchise Reform
Opinion -In July, Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco (D) vetoed state legislation that would have created statewide video franchising rules, making her the first governor to block a franchise reform initiative. -
Connecticut Democrat Presses ‘Mandate-Lite’ Insurance Proposal
Opinion -As Connecticut's 2006 legislative session drew to a close in May, a measure to allow the Nutmeg State's residents to purchase more affordable health insurance fell due to inaction. -
Bay Staters Feel Impact of New Law Mandating Insurance Coverage
Opinion -Massachusetts' new "Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority"--the agency charged with enforcing the new law mandating every state resident get health insurance--held its first meeting June 7 and is already talking about how to restrict access -
Citizens Create Health Care Wish List for Congress
Opinion -In late 2003, Congress created a quasi-commission "to bring the views of everyday Americans to the job of creating a better health care system. -
National Conference Focuses on Consumerism
Opinion -The dynamic Consumer Directed Health Care(CDHC) Conference, held May 8-10 in San Francisco, showcased the creativity and energy being invested in CDHC options and opportunities. -
Medicine Can Be Consumer-Centric
Opinion -Your Health Matters: What You Need to Know about U.S. Health Care by Gregory Dattilo and Dave Racer Bloomington, MN: Alethos Pr Llc, 2006 336 pages, hardcover, ISBN: 0977753409, $24.95 Available through Amazon. -
California Judge Rejects Mercury Warning Labels for Tuna
Opinion -In a major setback for environmental activists and California regulators, a superior court judge in San Francisco has ruled the state's Proposition 65 cannot force companies to put mercury health warning labels on cans of tuna.
