Publications

- Health Care
Research & Commentary: Rhode Island Should Embrace Right to Try for Terminal Patients

Published June 20, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Rhode Island is one of several states considering legislation that would allow terminally ill patients to obtain experimental drugs without getting federal approval, a policy commonly called “right to try.
- Health Care
Research & Commentary: Pennsylvania Considers the Right-to-Try for Terminally Ill Patients

Published June 20, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Pennsylvania is one of several states considering legislation that would allow terminally ill patients to obtain experimental drugs without getting federal approval, a policy commonly called “right to try.
- Environment & Energy
Research & Commentary: Vermont Carbon Dioxide Tax Proposals

Published June 20, 2016

By Tim Benson

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Research and Commentaries -
Two separate carbon dioxide tax proposals were introduced in the Vermont House of Representatives during the 2015–16 sessions. While both these proposals failed, proponents of the carbon dioxide tax are expected to make a big push in 2017.
Research & Commentary: New Jersey Considers Gas and Estate Tax Swap

Published June 17, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Consistent declines in gas tax revenue have left many states scrambling to fund the maintenance of their critical infrastructure, especially roads and bridges.
- Education
Research & Commentary: Delaware Education Savings Account Bill

Published June 16, 2016

By Tim Benson

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Research and Commentaries -
State lawmakers in Delaware are considering a proposal to create the Parent Empowerment Education Savings Account Program.
- Climate Change
- Environment & Energy
Research & Commentary: Net Metering Reform

Published June 16, 2016

By Tim Benson, Nathan Makla

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Research and Commentaries -
In 40 states and the District of Columbia, utility customers who generate their own energy – also called distributed generation, which occurs most often using rooftop solar panels – can sell any excess electricity they produce to a utility company for
The Leaflet: States Battle Traffic Congestion

Published June 16, 2016

By Nathan Makla

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The Leaflet -
State and local lawmakers continue to deal with increased traffic congestion across the United States. In Chicago, a trip that would typically take 30 minutes in free-flowing traffic can now take more than 60 minutes during peak driving times.
Research & Commentary: Study Reports Health Benefits from E-cigarette Use

Published June 14, 2016

By The Heartland Institute

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Research and Commentaries -
In June, the British Medical Journal published a study that examined the “effectiveness and safety of electronic cigarettes at 24 months.” The study aimed to measure the “sustained abstinence from tobacco cigarettes and/or e-cigarettes over 24 months.
Research & Commentary: How States Should Regulate Fantasy Sports

Published June 14, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Online fantasy sports leagues have become increasingly popular over the past decade. According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association (FSTA), an estimated 56.
Research & Commentary: States Should Reform How They Budget

Published June 14, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
According to Liz Malm of Multistate Associates, 16 states are facing expected budget shortfalls in the 2016 and 2017 fiscal years. One of the primary causes of budget imbalance is the use of baseline budgeting.
The Leaflet: States Debate Internet Taxes

Published June 9, 2016

By Nathan Makla

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The Leaflet -
States are currently debating whether Internet purchases should be subject to a sales tax. In South Dakota, a court case is making headlines that could allow the state to collect sales taxes from online purchases.
- Climate Change
- Environment & Energy
Research & Commentary: Offshore Hydraulic Fracturing in California

Published June 8, 2016

By Tim Benson

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Research and Commentaries -
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) have lifted a moratorium placed on hydraulic fracturing, also called “fracking,” off the coast of California and released a jointly prepared
Research & Commentary: Hiking California Tobacco Tax Will Increase Budget Deficits and Smuggling

Published June 6, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In November, California voters will consider a new ballot measure that would increase the state excise tax on cigarettes to $2.87 per pack. This would give California the nation’s ninth highest state tobacco tax.
- Health Care
Research & Commentary: Missouri Should Move Away from Maintenance of Certification

Published June 2, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
There are few who argue against the idea doctors should be required to stay current on all the latest medical developments.
- Environment & Energy
The Leaflet: Higher State Support for Green Energy Increases Energy Costs for Consumers

Published June 2, 2016

By Nathan Makla

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The Leaflet -
In May 2016 the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) published an analysis that revealed a “statistically significant correlation … between high electricity bills and states with numerous policies supporting green energy.
Senate Bill 127: Expanding the Existing Charter School Cap

Published June 1, 2016

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Policy Studies -
Senate Bill 127, along with its companion, House Bill 936, is one of several bills put forward this session to expand the existing charter school cap in Texas. Th ough the tenants of SB 127 are simple, this is important legislation for Texas.
Research & Commentary: The Fiscal and Social Implications of Marijuana Legalization

Published June 1, 2016

By The Heartland Institute

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Research and Commentaries -
Since 2012, four states – Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington State – have legalized the retail sale of marijuana. Washington, DC has also approved the sale of marijuana, but it is currently waiting for congressional approval.
Research & Commentary: GMO Labeling Laws Are Harmful and Unnecessary

Published June 1, 2016

By Tim Benson

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Research and Commentaries -
Vermont’s genetically modified organism (GMO) labeling law is set to take effect on July 1, 2016.
- Education
Research & Commentary: What the Empirical Research Says on Education Choice

Published May 31, 2016

By Tim Benson

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Research and Commentaries -
The fourth edition of A Win-Win Solution: The Empirical Evidence on School Choice, by Greg Forster of the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice’s (FFEC) was released in May 2016.
Research & Commentary: $15 Minimum Wage Will Hurt New Jersey Workers and Businesses

Published May 31, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Legislators in New Jersey are considering a substantial increase to the state’s minimum wage, increasing it from $8.38 per hour to the en vogue rate of $15 per hour. The wage would increase each year by either $1.
- Health Care
Research & Commentary: Michigan Direct Primary Care Pilot Could Save Medicaid Millions

Published May 31, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
A new pilot proposal currently being considered in Michigan would integrate a direct primary care (DPC) program into the state’s expensive Medicaid system to help reduce costs and improve care.
- Education
Research & Commentary: What the Empirical Research Says on Education Choice

Published May 31, 2016

By Tim Benson

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Research and Commentaries -
The fourth edition of A Win-Win Solution: The Empirical Evidence on School Choice, by Greg Forster of the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice’s (FFEC) was released in May 2016.
- Education
Research & Commentary: North Carolina School Vouchers Expansion

Published May 31, 2016

By Tim Benson

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Research and Commentaries -
A bill that would substantially increase the size of North Carolina’s school voucher program was filed in the North Carolina Senate on May 10.
Research & Commentary: Massachusetts Considering Unreliable Millionaire Tax

Published May 31, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Massachusetts legislators recently voted to advance a change in the state’s constitution that would create a new 4 percent surtax on all incomes over $1 million. These tax dollars would be strictly allocated for public education and transportation.

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