Publications
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Research & Commentary: Farmer Protection Act Would Provide Protection from ESG for South Carolina’s Agriculture Sector
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Legislation in the South Carolina House of Representatives, the Farmer Protection Act, which would combat environmental, social and governance (ESG) scoring systems and ensure South Carolina’s farmers are not discriminated against by financial institutions based on environmental policy. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) scores are essentially a risk assessment mechanism increasingly being used by investment firms and […] -
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Research and Commentary: Iowa ESG Protection
Publication -Research and Commentaries -These powerful investment firms and financial institutions have increasingly used ESG scores as a risk assessment mechanism to force companies, entire industries such as agriculture, and society at large to advance politically motivated, subjective goals. -
Research & Commentary: Wisconsin Senate Considers Revising UCC Article 8 to Protect Constituents’ Investment Securities
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Wisconsin Senate recently considered Senate Bill 123, a measure aimed at strengthening investor property rights in securities governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). Specifically, the bill would eliminate key provisions in Section 8-511 that currently allow secured creditors to take priority over investors in certain circumstances. It would also ensure […] -
Research & Commentary: Wisconsin State Assembly Considers Revising UCC Article 8 to Protect Constituents’ Investment Securities
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Wisconsin State Assembly recently considered Assembly Bill 133, a measure aimed at strengthening investor property rights in securities governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). Specifically, the bill would eliminate key provisions in Section 8-511 that currently allow secured creditors to take priority over investors in certain circumstances. It would also […] -
Research & Commentary: Utah Legislature Considers Disclosure Requirements Related to UCC Article 8 and Investment Securities
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Utah Legislature recently considered House Bill 543, a measure aimed at strengthening investor property rights in securities governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). Specifically, the bill would require securities intermediaries to provide clear disclosures to account holders when their financial assets are subject to conditions that could affect priority in […] -
Research & Commentary: Tennessee Senate Considers Revising UCC Article 8 to Protect Constituents’ Investment Securities
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Tennessee Senate recently considered Senate Bill 2214, a measure aimed at strengthening investor property rights in securities governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). Specifically, the bill would eliminate key provisions in Section 8-511 that currently allow secured creditors to take priority over investors in certain circumstances. It would also ensure […] -
Research & Commentary: Tennessee House Revising UCC Article 8 to Protect Constituents’ Investment Securities
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Tennessee House of Representatives recently considered House Bill 2611, a measure aimed at strengthening investor property rights in securities governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). Specifically, the bill would eliminate key provisions in Section 8-511 that currently allow secured creditors to take priority over investors in certain circumstances. It would […] -
Research & Commentary: South Dakota House Considers Revising UCC Article 8 to Protect Constituents’ Investment Securities
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The South Dakota House of Representatives recently considered House Bill 1248, a measure aimed at strengthening investor property rights in securities governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). Specifically, the bill would eliminate key provisions in Section 8-511 that currently allow secured creditors to take priority over investors in certain circumstances. It […] -
Research & Commentary: Oklahoma House Considers Revising UCC Article 8 to Protect Constituents’ Investment Securities
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Oklahoma House of Representatives recently considered House Bill 3549, a measure aimed at strengthening investor property rights in securities governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). Specifically, the bill would eliminate key provisions in Section 8-511 that currently allow secured creditors to take priority over investors in certain circumstances. These changes […] -
Research & Commentary: New Hampshire House Considers Revising UCC Article 8 to Protect Constituents’ Investment Securities
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The New Hampshire House of Representatives recently considered House Bill 427, a measure aimed at strengthening investor property rights in securities governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). Specifically, the bill would eliminate key provisions in Section 8-511 that currently allow secured creditors to take priority over investors in certain circumstances. It […] -
Research & Commentary: Missouri Senate Considers Revising UCC Article 8 to Protect Constituents’ Investment Securities
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Missouri Senate recently considered Senate Bill 1256, a measure aimed at strengthening investor property rights in securities governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). Specifically, the bill would eliminate key provisions in Section 8-511 that currently allow secured creditors to take priority over investors in certain circumstances. It would also ensure […] -
Research & Commentary: Idaho Legislature Considers Revising UCC Article 8 to Protect Constituents’ Investment Securities
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Idaho Legislature recently considered House Bill 702, a measure aimed at strengthening investor property rights in securities governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). Specifically, the bill would eliminate key provisions in Section 8-511 that currently allow secured creditors to take priority over investors in certain circumstances. It would also ensure […] -
Research & Commentary: Bill Would Protect South Dakotans from ESG Lending and De-Banking Discrimination
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Legislation in the South Dakota House of Representatives would combat environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores by prohibiting lenders from discriminating against organizations based on social credit or value-based standards like ESG. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores are essentially a risk assessment mechanism increasingly being used by investment firms and financial institutions that force […] -
Research & Commentary: Oklahoma Bill Would Protect Sooners from ESG Lending and De-Banking Discrimination
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Legislation in the Oklahoma House of Representatives would combat environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores by prohibiting lenders from discriminating against organizations based on social credit or value-based standards like ESG. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores are essentially a risk assessment mechanism increasingly being used by investment firms and financial institutions that force companies, […] -
The EU AI Act: What Americans Need to Know
Publication -Policy Tip Sheets -The European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) is the world’s first comprehensive law governing artificial intelligence. While framed as a consumer-safety measure, the Act’s broad reach and extraterritorial design give European regulators authority over how AI is built and used worldwide, including by American companies. -
The European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act: An Extraterritorial Incursion on Americans’ Inalienable Rights
Publication -Policy Studies -The European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act establishes a centralized, extraterritorial, global regulatory model for AI. It applies whenever outputs are “used in the Union,” allowing the EU to impose its standards globally through turnover-based penalties and value chain obligations. -
Research & Commentary: Credit Union Act Would Provide Protection from ESG for Michigan Farmers
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Legislation recently introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives, the Credit Union Act, would combat environmental, social and governance (ESG) scoring systems and ensure Michigan farmers are not discriminated against by credit unions based on environmental policy. ESG scores are essentially a risk assessment mechanism increasingly used by investment firms and financial institutions that force companies […] -
Research & Commentary: Briefs Point Out Unnecessary Consumers Costs and Environmental Damage of Renewable Fuel Standard
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The R Street Institute has produced two briefs on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) detailing the consumer costs and negative environmental impacts. A part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, expanded through 2007’s Energy Independence and Security Act and administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), RFS required 36 billion gallons of “renewable” fuel sources such as ethanol […] -
Research & Commentary: Ohio Legislation Focuses on Safeguarding Affordable, Reliable, and Clean Electric Power in the Buckeye State
Publication -Research and Commentaries -Legislation recently introduced in Ohio provides guidance to the state’s Power Siting Board on the intent of the General Assembly that the energy powering the Buckeye State should be “affordable, reliable and clean” and the energy produced and the manner in which it is produced shall rely on domestically sourced materials and “minimize reliance” on […] -
Revising UCC Article 8 to Put Investors First—Not Wall Street
Publication -Policy Tip Sheets -Amendments to Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) quietly stripped away Americans’ longstanding ownership rights and replaced them with fragile contractual claims, leaving their securities vulnerable to seizure in a financial crisis or when intermediaries misuse customer assets. -
Research & Commentary: Report Finds New York’s Decision to Ban Fracking Had Serious Economic Consequences for Shale Counties
Publication -Research and Commentaries -A Special Report released by the Heritage Foundation in April 2025 has found that New York’s decision to ban the process of hydraulic fracturing (commonly known as “fracking”) for natural gas in 2010 has had serious economic consequences for the residents of the Empire State living above the Marcellus Shale. It has resulted in a […] -
How States Can Push Back Against the Destructive Expansion of Industrial Solar Power
Publication -Policy Studies -As more states consider expanding their solar footprint, it is vital for policymakers to examine the full consequences of this energy source. -
Tax Cuts & Jobs Act: An Updated Study on the Effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on U.S. Personal Income Taxes
Publication -Policy Briefs -The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) reduced the average amount of personal income taxes paid by filers in every income bracket, with the largest benefits going to lower- and middle-income households. -
Federal Budget Deficits and the Iron Law of Federal Revenue
Publication -There is a natural limit on what the U.S. government can take away from the American people each year.