Publications

The Leaflet – Mixed Election Results From States

Published November 17, 2011

By John Nothdurft

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Research and Commentaries -
This week was election week for lawmakers in Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia. In Virginia power in the state senate for Republicans hinges on a slim 226 vote lead in the 17th district.
The Case for Creating a Michigan Auto Insurance Fraud Prevention Agency

Published November 17, 2011

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Policy Briefs -
In February 2008, Pennsylvania resident Corey Middleton called the police and his insurance company to report a serious problem. Someone, he said, had stolen his car from a street parking space in Philadelphia.
- FIRE
- Economy
Research & Commentary: Buy Here Pay Here Auto Dealerships

Published November 16, 2011

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Transportation access is an important part of modern life, but purchasing a vehicle is an expensive proposition many people cannot afford. Acquiring financing can be a daunting task for low-income borrowers or those with no or bad credit.
- FIRE
- Economy
Research & Commentary: Fee Schedules for Workers’ Comp Reform

Published November 14, 2011

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Workers’ compensation insurance provides money for medical care for employees injured in the course of their work. In return for guaranteed benefits, the employee agrees not to sue the employer for injuries caused by employer negligence.
- FIRE
- Economy
Research & Commentary: Alternatives to Federal Terrorism Insurance

Published November 8, 2011

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act can claim broad support, but it has deep flaws and imposes billions of dollars in liabilities on taxpayers. Signed into law in 2002 by President George W.
Research & Commentary: Oil Spill Liability Caps and the Oil Pollution Act

Published November 3, 2011

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Oil spills can cause long-term damage to the environment and cost billions of dollars to clean up. In the aftermath of a major spill, sorting out who is responsible for the costs has proven very difficult.
The Leaflet – Learning From Massachusetts’ Exchange

Published November 3, 2011

By John Nothdurft

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The Leaflet -
Welcome to the inaugural edition of The Leaflet, a weekly policy roundup produced for lawmakers by The Heartland Institute’s government relations department.
- FIRE
- Economy
Research & Commentary: Terrorism Risk Insurance Act Update

Published October 5, 2011

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
The uncertain future of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), which expires in 2014 and was recently the subject of an amendment to sunset it, has some individuals and organizations calling for additional extensions or the creation of a replacement
Research & Commentary: Commuter Tax Subsidies

Published September 21, 2011

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
With the price of fuel on the rise in recent years, millions of American workers are paying more attention to the growing cost of commuting to work.
Research & Commentary: Lowering Idaho’s Corporate Tax Rate

Published September 19, 2011

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Research and Commentaries -
Many business and civic groups, including the Idaho Chamber Alliance, have recommended reducing the state’s 7.6 percent corporate income tax rate.
Research & Commentary: Crop Insurance and Farm Subsidies

Published September 13, 2011

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Farmers buy crop insurance for protection against the financial impact of natural disasters affecting their crops and the loss of revenue caused by declines in agricultural commodity prices.
Research & Commentary: National Flood Insurance Update

Published September 8, 2011

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
On Thursday, September 8th, the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee held its first formal markup of a bill to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program.
Research & Commentary: Kansas Income Tax Elimination

Published September 6, 2011

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Research and Commentaries -
State of Kansas Budget Director Steve Anderson has expressed hope the state legislature will approve a bill to eliminate the state’s personal income tax over time.
- FIRE
- Economy
Research & Commentary: Windstorm Insurance on the Atlantic Coast

Published August 25, 2011

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Hurricane Irene appears likely to make landfall in the United States sometime in the next few days. The storm, predicted to become a “major hurricane” by the end of the week, may hit both Florida and North Carolina.
- FIRE
- Economy
Research & Commentary: Credit Scoring Debate in Massachusetts

Published August 17, 2011

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
A debate over the use of credit scoring to determine insurance rates and eligibility continues to rage in Massachusetts.
- FIRE
- Economy
Research & Commentary: Recovery Audits

Published August 9, 2011

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
For decades, retailers and other private-sector businesses have hired independent auditors to track down improper payments and recover the money. Now governments at all levels are being encouraged and even required to do the same thing.
- FIRE
- Economy
Research & Commentary: The Home Mortgage Interest Deduction

Published August 8, 2011

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
Few public policy issues evoke more fervor than those promoting homeownership.
Research & Commentary: Pennsylvania Liquor Privatization

Published August 1, 2011

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Research and Commentaries -
Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Mike Turzai recently introduced House Bill 11, which would privatize the state’s liquor sales.
Five Things to Consider Before Raising Tobacco Taxes: A Review of the Research

Published July 25, 2011

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Policy Briefs -
Tobacco use poses well-known health risks. Smokers, on average, die earlier than nonsmokers. Estimates of lost life expectancy range from two or three years to 14 years; most researchers agree on six to eight years.
Research & Commentary: Florida’s Online Travel Agent Tax

Published July 15, 2011

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Research and Commentaries -
Florida’s tourism industry brings in more than $60 billion each year and is the state’s most profitable industry.
- FIRE
- Economy
Research & Commentary: The Effect of Dodd-Frank

Published July 1, 2011

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, also known as the Dodd-Frank Act, is a law with consequences for every part of the financial system.
- FIRE
- Economy
Research & Commentary: The Effect of Dodd-Frank

Published July 1, 2011

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, also known as the Dodd-Frank Act, is a law with consequences for every part of the financial system.
- FIRE
- Economy
Research & Commentary: Standardized Loss Allocation System for Hurricane Claims and the COASTAL Act

Published June 28, 2011

By Matthew Glans

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Research and Commentaries -
The two major forces of a hurricane—wind and water—can do grave damage to homes. This can pose a problem because private insurers cover almost all wind damage while the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) handles all flood damage to ordinary homes.
- FIRE
- Economy
Property & Casualty Insurance Report Card, 2011 Edition

Published June 27, 2011

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Policy Studies -
Each of the past four years, The Heartland Institute has released a report that asks fundamental questions about the nation’s property and casualty insurance regulatory environment.

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