Publications

Research & Commentary: Massachusetts Welfare Reform

Published March 20, 2015

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Research and Commentaries -
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, implemented in 1996, ended the national entitlement to welfare for families with dependent children and created Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), a block-grant program
2015 Welfare Reform Report Card Executive Summary

Published March 19, 2015

By Diane Bast, Matthew Glans, Gary MacDougal

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In the nearly two decades since the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 was signed into law, the nation has seen a major reduction in the number of welfare recipients.
2015 Welfare Reform Report Card

Published March 19, 2015

By Diane Bast, Matthew Glans, Gary MacDougal

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Policy Studies -
Most state governments can improve the effectiveness of their efforts to help those in poverty. This 50-state report card offers policymakers and the public a roadmap for how it can be done.
- Health Care
Research & Commentary: North Carolina Certificate of Need Reform

Published March 18, 2015

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
North Carolina 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: Governor LePage’s Tax Reform Plan for Maine

Published March 17, 2015

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In January, Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) proposed a new tax reform plan that would move the state further toward his goal of eliminating the state income tax.
- Health Care
Research & Commentary: Virginia Certificate of Public Need

Published March 13, 2015

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Virginia 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.
- Health Care
The Leaflet: States Reconsider CON Laws

Published March 12, 2015

By Nathan Makla

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The Leaflet -
States Reconsider CON LawsCertificate of need (CON) laws were originally introduced to the United States in 1964 by New York State, and 36 states now have certificate of need laws that are meant to slow the growth of health care prices, promote
- Environment & Energy
Research & Commentary: Kansas Renewable Portfolio Standard

Published March 11, 2015

By Nathan Makla, Taylor Smith

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Research and Commentaries -
In 2009, then-Gov. Mark Parkinson (D) signed into law Kansas’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS), requiring at least 10 percent of electricity generation capacity in Kansas be from renewable sources.
- Health Care
Research & Commentary: Florida Certificate of Need Reform

Published March 10, 2015

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Florida 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.
- Health Care
Research & Commentary: South Carolina Certificate of Need

Published March 9, 2015

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
South Carolina is one of the 36 states that have certificate of need (CON) laws intended to slow the growth of health care prices, promote consolidation of health care providers, and limit duplication of services.
- Environment & Energy
The Leaflet: 2015, the Year of Energy Policy

Published March 6, 2015

By Nathan Makla

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The Leaflet -
2015, the Year of Energy PolicyEnergy is the lifeblood of the economy, not government, and it should determine what fuels consumers will use to heat their homes and power their automobiles.
- Environment & Energy
Research & Commentary: Illinois Low Carbon Portfolio Standard

Published March 6, 2015

By John Nothdurft

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Research and Commentaries -
Exelon has threatened to shut down three of its six Illinois nuclear power plants because they are unprofitable without government assistance.
- Health Care
Research & Commentary: Maine Certificate of Need Reform

Published March 6, 2015

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Maine 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.
- Education
Research & Commentary: West Virginia Common Core

Published March 5, 2015

By Taylor Smith

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Research and Commentaries -
West Virginia legislators are debating a proposal that would repeal the state’s implementation of Common Core State Standards, a set of requirements for what elementary and secondary school children should know in each grade in math and English.
- 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.

Publications

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