Publications

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.
- Health Care
The Leaflet: National Mental Health Awareness Month Shines Light on Mental Health Service Shortage

Published May 19, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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The Leaflet -
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, a week which aims to shine a light on a major health care crisis in the United States, including the shortage of mental health facilities and services for the 62 million Americans who experience mental
Research & Commentary: Gas and Vehicle Taxes Burden Drivers, Don’t Fix Roads

Published May 18, 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.
Research & Commentary: Gas Tax Increase is Not the Answer for Arkansas’ Roads

Published May 18, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Arkansas legislators are now considering a substantial increase in their state’s motor-fuel excise taxes. The plan would increase the gas and diesel taxes in order to pay for road and infrastructure improvements.
Research & Commentary: Attack on Nexus Standard Will Hurt Online Economy

Published May 18, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
The debate over internet sales taxes has reached a crucial crossroads.
- Environment & Energy
Research & Commentary: Ohio Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard Update

Published May 18, 2016

By Tim Benson, Isaac Orr

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Research and Commentaries -
In 2015, Ohio took a small but important first step for electricity consumers by voting to freeze the state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS), also known as a renewable power mandate.
- Health Care
Research & Commentary: Michigan Should Move Away from Maintenance of Certification

Published May 16, 2016

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Certification and licensing requirements can have a significant effect on the growth of any market, especially in the health care industry – where doctors face myriad licensing, certification, and education requirements to maintain their licenses and
- Environment & Energy
The Leaflet: States Impacted by Federal Regulations

Published May 12, 2016

By Nathan Makla

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The Leaflet -
Patrick A. McLaughlin, senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center, and Oliver Sherouse, research analyst at Mercatus, recently released the 2016 edition of the Federal Regulation and State Enterprise (FRASE) Index.
- Climate Change
- Environment & Energy
Research & Commentary: Higher State Support for Green Energy Increases Energy Costs for Consumers

Published May 12, 2016

By Tim Benson

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Research and Commentaries -
An analysis published in early May 2016 by the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) has found a “statistically significant correlation … between high electricity bills and states with numerous policies supporting green energy.
- Education
Research & Commentary: Missouri Education Savings Account Bill

Published May 11, 2016

By Tim Benson

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Research and Commentaries -
On April 27, the Missouri House of Representatives passed a bill that would establish the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program, which would provide children with special needs and disabilities with an education savings account (ESA) that
- Education
Saving Chicago Students: Strike Vouchers and SOS Accounts

Published May 5, 2016

By Tim Benson, Lennie Jarratt (1964 – 2025)

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Policy Briefs -
The Heartland Policy Brief examines why teachers are threatening to strike, the history of teacher strikes in Illinois, and the performance and financial challenges faced by students, their parents, and the taxpayers of Illinois.

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