Publications

Research & Commentary: Illinois Minimum Wage Reform

Published February 25, 2013

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In his 2013 State of the State speech, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn proposed increasing the state’s minimum wage from $8.25 to $10 an hour over the next four years. A similar minimum wage proposal failed to pass in the state Senate in 2012.
Research & Commentary: Illinois Minimum Wage Reform

Published February 25, 2013

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In his 2013 State of the State speech, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn proposed increasing the state’s minimum wage from $8.25 to $10 an hour over the next four years. A similar minimum wage proposal failed to pass in the state Senate in 2012.
The Leaflet – States to Tackle Income Taxes

Published January 25, 2013

By John Nothdurft

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The Leaflet -
States To Tackle Income Taxes While Congress and the president recently hiked taxes for 77 percent of the nation’s taxpayers, proposals for sweeping tax cuts continue to gain momentum at the state level.
The Leaflet – Meet Your Very Own Think Tank!

Published January 17, 2013

By John Nothdurft

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The Leaflet -
One of the great privileges I have in working for Heartland is the opportunity to help elected officials at all levels of government discover, develop, and promote free-market solutions to economic and social problems.
The Leaflet – Happy New Year!

Published January 4, 2013

By John Nothdurft

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The Leaflet -
The election results have been certified, the fiscal cliff has been averted, and the world didn’t end. Now state lawmakers are heading back to their state capitols to begin their 2013 legislative sessions.
Research & Commentary: High Frequency Trading

Published December 17, 2012

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Increasing computerization of financial trading has had a profound effect on financial markets by introducing a new element: high frequency trading (HFT).
The Leaflet – Carbon Tax Runs Into Opposition

Published December 14, 2012

By John Nothdurft

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The Leaflet -
One need not look far to see the federal government and state governments are moving further apart on their approaches to energy policy.
- FIRE
- Economy
Research & Commentary: Commodities Position Limits

Published November 9, 2012

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Since the 2008 financial crisis, the effect of speculation on commodities pricing has been hotly debated.
- FIRE
- Economy
Research & Commentary: Zero Interest Rate Policy

Published October 11, 2012

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Since the 2006–07 financial crisis the Federal Reserve has taken several steps to stimulate the economy and unfreeze credit markets, which had ground to a halt after the bursting of the housing bubble.
The Leaflet – The Future of State Tax Policy

Published October 11, 2012

By John Nothdurft

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The Leaflet -
Earlier this week the non-partisan Tax Foundation released its 2013 State Business Tax Climate index.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Leaflet – Reining in EPA

Published August 16, 2012

By John Nothdurft

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The Leaflet -
Yesterday, The Heartland Institute announced more than 5,000 people have signed a petition demanding that Congress “rein in the Environmental Protection Agency” (EPA) through deep cuts in the size, power, and cost of the agency.
Research & Commentary: Unemployment Insurance Fraud and Overpayments

Published August 6, 2012

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
With the nation’s economy still in the doldrums, unemployment compensation funds in many states have become insolvent. One reason is that waste and fraud plague the system.
Research & Commentary: Public Pensions and the Assumed Rate of Return

Published July 23, 2012

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
In states and municipalities across the country, the high cost of traditional defined-benefit public pensions has become a hot-button issue as unfunded liabilities have raced out of control.
How Should Insurers Treat Tobacco Use? A Review of the Research

Published July 12, 2012

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For insurers, the most salient fact about tobacco use can be summarized simply: overwhelming scientificevidence indicates that all widely used forms of tobacco harm human health.
The Leaflet – What Does The Supreme Court Ruling Mean for States?

Published June 29, 2012

By John Nothdurft

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The Leaflet -
What does the Supreme Court ruling mean for states?
Research & Commentary: Proprietary Trading and the Volcker Rule

Published June 21, 2012

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Proprietary trading is a common financial activity that is currently being targeted for additional regulation in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis and several high-profile losses by major banks from their proprietary trading desks.
The Leaflet – The Fracking Debate

Published June 14, 2012

By John Nothdurft

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The Leaflet -
Today, North Carolina is expected to vote to allow the process of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” for natural gas.
Research & Commentary: Capital Gains Taxes Update

Published June 13, 2012

By Matthew Glans, John Nothdurft

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Research and Commentaries -
Absent Congressional action, several tax increases will go into effect at the end of the year.

Publications

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