Publications

Research & Commentary: Texas Pension Reform

Published October 3, 2012

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Like many other states across the nation, Texas faces tough decisions about the pension benefits it provides its state employees.
21 Reasons Why the San Antonio Pre-K Tax Plan Is a Bad Idea

Published October 2, 2012

By Jeff Judson

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Policy Briefs -
On November 6, voters in San Antonio, Texas will vote on whether the city should own and operate a network of early childhood education centers. The initiative is controversial, and rightly so.
The Ryan Budget vs. the Obama Budget

Published September 21, 2012

By Peter Ferrara (1955 – 2026)

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By selecting House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) as his running mate, Republican candidate Mitt Romney reframed the 2012 presidential election as a contest between Ryan’s 2013 proposed budget, which was adopted by the entire Republican
The Ryan Budget vs. the Obama Budget

Published September 21, 2012

By Peter Ferrara (1955 – 2026)

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Policy Briefs -
By selecting House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) as his running mate, Republican candidate Mitt Romney reframed the 2012 presidential election as a contest between Ryan’s 2013 proposed budget, which was adopted by the entire Republican
- Health Care
Research & Commentary: Wyoming Health Insurance Exchange and Medicaid Expansion

Published September 19, 2012

By Kendall Antekeier

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Research and Commentaries -
Like most states after the Supreme Court decision on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), Wyoming continues to debate how best to maintain control over its health care system.
Research & Commentary: Omaha Cigarette Occupation Tax

Published September 14, 2012

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In the past two years, Omaha restaurant customers have paid around $50 million in taxes, and the city is now considering levying a new occupation tax on smokers.
- Entitlements
- Economy
Research & Commentary: Food Stamp Reform

Published September 13, 2012

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as the Food Stamp program, has become one of the fastest-growing welfare programs of the U.S. government.
Research & Commentary: The Connect America Fund and Broadband Internet Taxes

Published September 13, 2012

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In 2011 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created the Connect America Fund (CAF) by taking $4.5 billion from the Universal Service Fund (USF) designed to provide advanced telecommunications services.
The Leaflet – 2012 Emerging Issues Forum Videos

Published September 13, 2012

By John Nothdurft

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The Leaflet -
On August 9, The Heartland Institute hosted its eighth Emerging Issues Forum, a gathering of state elected officials, public policy experts, and Heartland senior staff to discuss the issues likely to be on the agenda in 2013 and beyond.
Research & Commentary: Idaho Unemployment Insurance and Overpayments

Published September 13, 2012

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Idaho, like most U.S. states, has struggled to keep its unemployment insurance fund solvent. The unemployment trust fund already faced insolvency once as a result of the 2008 recession.
- Education
Research & Commentary: Democratic and Republican Party Education Platforms

Published September 12, 2012

By Joy Pullmann

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Research and Commentaries -
In 2012, the Republican and Democratic parties held their national conventions sandwiched around Labor Day weekend. As is customary, the two released revised party platforms, both including sections on education policy.
- Environment & Energy
Research & Commentary: Kansas Renewable Portfolio Standard

Published September 11, 2012

By Taylor Smith

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Research and Commentaries -
In July, the Kansas Policy Institute and Beacon Hill Institute released a joint report assessing the expected economic results of the Kansas renewable energy mandate, signed into law by Gov. Mark Parkinson in May 2009.
- Environment & Energy
Research & Commentary: Hydraulic Fracturing and Air Quality

Published September 10, 2012

By Taylor Smith

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Research and Commentaries -
Earlier this year, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson and President Barack Obama’s science advisor, John P.
- Education
Research & Commentary: The Best, Most Recent Voucher Research

Published September 6, 2012

By Joy Pullmann

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Research and Commentaries -
In 2011, researcher Greg Forster examined all the highest-quality research available on voucher programs; he found 10 of 11 studies demonstrated vouchers benefit students, and the 11th showed participation made little difference to voucher students.
Research & Commentary: Tax Increment Financing

Published August 31, 2012

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Tax increment financing has become a popular tool for encouraging economic development in municipalities across the country.
Research & Commentary: Hydraulic Fracturing Ban in New York State

Published August 31, 2012

By Taylor Smith

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Research and Commentaries -
As Gov. Andrew Cuomo prepares to decide whether to allow hydraulic fracturing in New York State, extreme environmental activist groups are pressuring him to ban the technique, which they say threatens the public health.
The Leaflet – Condoleezza Rice on Education Reform

Published August 30, 2012

By John Nothdurft

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The Leaflet -
Yesterday, at the Republican National Convention, former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice gave a superb speech covering many important issues.
Research & Commentary: Financial Transaction Taxes

Published August 28, 2012

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Since the 2007-2008 financial crisis, legislators in the United States and across the world have proposed new taxes on certain financial transactions, including securities trading and stock transactions.
- Education
Research & Commentary: Race-Based School Discipline

Published August 27, 2012

By Joy Pullmann

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Research and Commentaries -
In July, President Barack Obama signed an executive order creating two federal panels to review public schools’ discipline policies and actions toward African-Americans, citing data that schools suspend black students more often than white students.
The Leaflet – What Should States Do About the Federal Health Care Law?

Published August 23, 2012

By John Nothdurft

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The Leaflet -
On August 9, The Heartland Institute held its 2012 Emerging Issues Forum in Chicago, Illinois. More than 140 people attended, including more than 85 legislators from at least 32 states.
Research & Commentary: Internet and Broadband Reclassification

Published August 22, 2012

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
The Obama administration’s Federal Communications Commission has undertaken several efforts to increase its regulatory power over the Internet by reclassifying broadband access services from their current status as an informational service to a Title II
- Education
Research & Commentary: Education Property Tax Reform

Published August 21, 2012

By Joy Pullmann

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Research and Commentaries -
Several states—including Florida, Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Vermont—are currently discussing restructuring the property taxes that pay for education.
- Environment & Energy
Research & Commentary: Michigan Renewable Energy Portfolio Mandate

Published August 20, 2012

By Taylor Smith

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Research and Commentaries -
A petition bearing more than 500,000 signatures has been turned in to state election officials to put the Michigan Energy Michigan Jobs initiative on the November ballot.
- Government & Liberty
- Alcohol & Tobacco
Research & Commentary: Electronic Cigarettes

Published August 16, 2012

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Nearly 50 million U.S. adults—more than a fifth of the total adult population—smoke cigarettes.

Publications

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