The Heartland Institute

Publications

Research & Commentary: Missouri Considers Repealing Costly Prevailing Wage Laws

Published April 20, 2018

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines a proposed bill in Missouri that would repeal the state's prevailing wage law.
Research & Commentary: Oklahoma Should Not Weaken Its Supermajority Tax Requirement

Published April 12, 2018

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines a bill in Oklahoma that would ask voters to reduce the state’s supermajority requirement for tax increases, a move that would make it easier for the legislature to increase taxes.
- Economy
- Government Spending
Research & Commentary: Arizona Should Stop Funding Private Sports Facilities with Taxpayer Dollars

Published April 12, 2018

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines legislation in Arizona that would have the state join an interstate compact that explicitly prohibits the “use of taxpayer dollars for private professional sports stadiums and facilities.”
Research & Commentary: Tennessee Looks to REIN in Cost of State Regulations

Published February 9, 2018

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines a bill in Tennessee that would incorporate REINS Act style reforms to the state's regulatory system.
Research & Commentary: States Should Follow Wisconsin’s Lead with REINS Act

Published February 1, 2018

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans discusses the Wisconsin REINS Act and how it could be a model for other states to follow.
Testimony Before the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate Committees Addressing Welfare Reform

Published January 31, 2018

By John Nothdurft

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Testimony -
John Nothdurft testified in a Wisconsin joint public hearing regarding welfare reform.
Ten State Solutions to Emerging Issues 2018

Published January 10, 2018

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Legislative Principles -
This booklet explores solutions to the top public policy issues facing the states in 2018 and beyond in the areas of budget and tax, education, energy and environment, health care, and constitutional reform.
- Economy
- Government Spending
Research & Commentary: Florida Moves to Slow Taxpayer-Funded Stadiums

Published December 22, 2017

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines a proposed bill in Florida that would ban Florida sports franchises from constructing or renovating facilities on leased public land.
The Leaflet: The $6 Trillion Albatross Around States’ Necks

Published December 21, 2017

By Arianna Wilkerson

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The Leaflet -
This week's Leaflet examines public pension problems in all 50 states. A new study finds that unfunded pension liabilities total more than $6 trillion across various state pension systems.
- Economy
- Government Spending
Research & Commentary: Iowa Needs Pension Reform

Published December 15, 2017

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines the need for comprehensive pension reform in Iowa.
Research & Commentary: Hybrid Pension Reform Models

Published November 30, 2017

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines hybrid pension models and how they can help states bring their pension costs under control.
- Economy
- Government Spending
Research & Commentary: Cash Balance Plans Are a Solid Option for Pension Reform

Published November 16, 2017

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines an alternative approach to traditional state worker pension programs, cash balance plans.
- Economy
- Government Spending
Research & Commentary: States Hiding True Pension Debt

Published November 16, 2017

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines how many states hide their true pension liabilities through their accounting practices and how states can make their reporting more accurate.
Don’t Wait for Congress to Fix Health Care

Published September 20, 2017

By Matthew Glans

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Policy Briefs -
States can implement real health care solutions today.
The Leaflet: Reducing COLAs to Bring Pension Costs Down

Published September 1, 2017

By Matthew Glans

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The Leaflet -
This week's Leaflet examines how states can address pension costs through cost of living adjustments reform.
- Government Spending
- Economy
Research & Commentary: Kentucky Should Embrace Pension Reform

Published August 25, 2017

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines pension reform in Kentucky and how the state can build on previous reforms.
- Government Spending
- Economy
Research & Commentary: Reducing COLAs to Bring Pension Costs Down

Published August 23, 2017

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines state pension reform and the effects of changing cost of living adjustments.
A Proposed Balanced Budget Amendment

Published July 18, 2017

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Policy Briefs -
As the debt of the United States government continues to mount, efforts to add a balanced budget amendment (BBA) to the U.S. Constitution are gaining steam. But drafting such an amendment is not as easy as it sounds.
- Economy
- Government Spending
Research & Commentary: Michigan Considers Moving to 401(k)s for Teachers

Published May 31, 2017

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines a proposed pension reform plan in Michigan which would move all new teachers to a 401(k)-style defined-contribution plan.
Research & Commentary: Solution for Illinois Pension Crisis Is Closer than You Think

Published May 19, 2017

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines a proposed pension reform plan in Illinois that would use an existing model to implement a defined contribution model for new state workers.
Research & Commentary: Connecticut Needs a Tight Spending Cap

Published April 20, 2017

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines a spending cap proposal in Connecticut that could force the state to monitor spending and better manage its' budget.
Research & Commentary: Nebraska Tax Reform Package Would Move State Toward Improved Economy

Published April 18, 2017

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines a tax reform package being considered in Nebraska that would lower income taxes using tax revenue triggers.
Research & Commentary: Pennsylvania Pension Reform

Published April 4, 2017

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines a proposed pension reform plan in Pennsylvania.
Research & Commentary: Wisconsin’s Proactive Approach to Pension Reform is the Right One

Published March 29, 2017

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In this Research & Commentary, Matthew Glans examines Wisconsin's proactive approach to pension reform and a new reform proposal now being considered.