Publications

- Environment & Energy
Testimony before the Minnesota State Senate Environment and Energy Committee

Published March 3, 2015

By Nathan Makla

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Testimony -
[Below is an excerpt of Heartland Government Relations Manager, Nathan Makla, March 3, 2015 testimony before the Minnesota State Senate Environment and Energy Committee, in favor of lifting the states moratorium on the construction of new nuclear power
Research & Commentary: Missouri Welfare Reform

Published February 24, 2015

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Research and Commentaries -
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, implemented in 1996, granted states the flexibility needed to reform their welfare systems. In Missouri, state Sen.
- Health Care
Research & Commentary: New Hampshire Certificate-of-Need Reform

Published February 24, 2015

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
New Hampshire is one of 36 states that have certificate-of-need (CON) laws. CON laws are intended to slow the growth of health care prices, promote consolidation of health care providers, and limit the duplication of services.
Research & Commentary: Maryland Gasoline Taxes

Published February 24, 2015

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In his first State of the State address, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) proposed repealing a provision in a 2013 law tying the state’s primary gasoline tax to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
- Education
Research & Commentary: Montana Common Core

Published February 24, 2015

By Taylor Smith

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Research and Commentaries -
Montana legislators are debating a proposal that would repeal the state’s implementation of the Common Core State Standards, a set of requirements for what elementary and secondary school children should know in each grade in math and English.
Research & Commentary: Kansas Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Increase

Published February 23, 2015

By John Nothdurft

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Research and Commentaries -
Kansas is considering raising taxes on cigarettes by $1.50 per pack, other tobacco products by 680 percent, and liquor by 4 percentage points.
- Environment & Energy
Research & Commentary: Vermont Renewable Portfolio Mandate

Published February 23, 2015

By Taylor Smith

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Research and Commentaries -
Vermont is the only state in the Northeast without a renewable portfolio mandate. In his inaugural address, Gov.
- Education
Research & Commentary: Arizona Common Core

Published February 23, 2015

By Taylor Smith

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Research and Commentaries -
Arizona legislators are debating a proposal that would repeal the state’s implementation of the Common Core State Standards, a set of requirements for what elementary and secondary school children should know in each grade in math and English.
Research & Commentary: Nevada Margins Tax, Round 2

Published February 19, 2015

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Nevada’s tax system, which has neither individual nor corporate income taxes, has brought the state significant increases in population, employment, and economic growth.
Research & Commentary: Federal Gasoline Taxes

Published February 18, 2015

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
According to Forbes, the Congressional Budget Office has estimated that in 2024 alone the Highway Trust Fund will spend $18 billion more than it brings in. The CBO estimates the cumulative shortfall over the next decade will top $160 billion.
Research & Commentary: New Taxes, Regulations Proposed for E-Cigarettes in Indiana

Published February 18, 2015

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
As the use of electronic cigarettes has grown, state and local governments across the nation have moved to increase taxes on these products.
- Environment & Energy
“A Critical Assessment of ‘Air concentrations of volatile compounds near oil and gas production: A community-based exploratory study’

Published February 17, 2015

By Richard J. Trzupek

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Policy Briefs -
In October 2014, Environmental Health published a study purporting to show fracking operations for oil and gas production cause dangerous air quality issues.
Research & Commentary: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s Tax Hike Proposal

Published February 17, 2015

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Washington state legislators face a serious budget problem due to overspending and a court-ordered mandate to increase education funding. In response, Gov. Jay Inslee (D) has proposed a $39 billion budget that would add $1.
- Environment & Energy
Research & Commentary: Rolling Back Colorado’s Costly Energy Mandate

Published February 17, 2015

By Taylor Smith

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Research and Commentaries -
In November 2004, Colorado became the first state to enact into law (by ballot initiative) a renewable portfolio standard (RPS), also referred to as a renewable power mandate.
Research & Commentary: South Carolina Income and Gas Tax Swap

Published February 17, 2015

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In her 2015 State of the State address, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley proposed a unique tax swap plan increasing the state’s gasoline tax by $0.10 per gallon while reducing the state’s income tax rate by 30 percent.
Research & Commentary: North Dakota’s Tobacco Tax Advantage

Published February 13, 2015

By John Nothdurft

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Research and Commentaries -
North Dakota policymakers are considering raising the state's tax on cigarettes by as much as 250 percent, taking it from a competitive rate of 44 cents per pack up to $2.44 cents per pack.
Why Patent Reforms Are Needed

Published February 10, 2015

By Steven Titch

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Policy Briefs -
Patent abuse is harming the U.S. economy. It interferes with market competition, stymies entrepreneurs and innovators, and ultimately costs consumers in higher prices and decreased availability of products and features.
- Health Care
The Leaflet: Medicaid Expansion Debate Continues

Published February 5, 2015

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The Leaflet -
The Medicaid Expansion Debate ContinuesStates across the country continue to debate whether to expand their Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The Leaflet: States Consider Hiking Gas Taxes

Published January 30, 2015

By Nathan Makla

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The Leaflet -
States Consider Hiking Gas TaxesState governments, including those in Iowa, Michigan, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Tennesse, are considering increasing motor fuel taxes, a move proponents say is needed to improve transportation infrastructure such as
- Health Care
Testimony before the Indiana State Senate Health and Provider Services Committee on Certificate of Need

Published January 28, 2015

By S.T. Karnick

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Testimony -
Testimony before the Indiana State Senate Health and Provider Services Committee Wednesday, January 28, 2015 Samuel Karnick, Research Director, The Heartland Institute Thank you for allowing me to speak today. My name is Samuel Karnick.
- Education
Research & Commentary: Minnesota Higher Education

Published January 27, 2015

By Taylor Smith

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Research and Commentaries -
Minnesota starts the 2015 legislative year with a $1 billion surplus, but Gov. Mark Dayton (DFL) reports he has already received $3 billion in spending requests.
- Health Care
Research & Commentary: Indiana Nursing Home Moratorium

Published January 26, 2015

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
The two mechanisms commonly used by states to limit health care competition are the approval process known as “certificate of need” (CON) and the use of state-imposed moratoriums banning the construction of new health care facilities.
- Health Care
The Leaflet: State Lawmakers Continue to Fight Obamacare

Published January 23, 2015

By Nathan Makla

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The Leaflet -
State Lawmakers Continue to Fight Obamacare In state capitols around the nation, lawmakers are still debating legislation addressing Obamacare.
Testimony to the Missouri Seniors, Families, and Children Committee on Welfare Reform

Published January 20, 2015

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Testimony -
[Below is an excerpt of Heartland Government Relations Manager, Logan Pike, January 20, 2015 testimony before the Missouri House Committee on Seniors, Families and Children, in favor of reforming the state's fragmented welfare system.

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