Publications
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Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC): A Basic Primer
Publication -Policy Tip Sheets -Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) have only recently become a widely discussed topic among influential figures in academia, media, and public policy institutions. However, initiatives to implement CBDCs around the globe have existed for years, especially in countries with autocratic governments, such as China and Russia. As of September 2023, 131 countries have explored CBDCs. […] -
AI in Banking: The Threats to Liberty and Opportunities for Innovation
Publication -Policy Tip Sheets -Artificial intelligence (AI), automation powered by AI, advanced algorithms, and other emerging technologies are changing the landscape of the global financial services industry, including in the United States. AI offers numerous benefits to financial companies seeking to lower costs and provide speedier decisions for consumers and other businesses, but it also comes with significant threats […] -
AI and ESG: How Artificial Intelligence Is Being Designed to Advance Left-Wing Goals
Publication -Policy Tip Sheets -Over the next decade, artificial intelligence (AI), automation powered by AI, and other emerging technologies will play an increasingly larger role in the global economy. The McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) estimates “between 400 million and 800 million individuals could be displaced by automation and need to find new jobs by 2030 around the world, based […] -
Foreign Ownership of U.S. Agricultural Land: Outlining the Biggest Problems and Potential Solutions
Publication -Policy Tip Sheets -In recent years, America has experienced a remarkable trend: foreign individuals and corporations have been amassing millions of additional acres of U.S. agricultural land. Although some organizations have downplayed the significance of this development, there are substantial economic, national security, and freedom-related reasons policymakers should be deeply concerned. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture […] -
Research & Commentary: Minimum Wage Hike Would Be a Bad Move for Pennsylvania
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is considering House Bill 1427, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Keystone State to $15 per hour, beginning January 1, 2024. Furthermore, beginning January 1, 2025, HB 1427 would increase the minimum wage by an annual cost-of-living adjustment calculated by the secretary using the percentage change in the […] -
Research & Commentary: Another Minimum Wage Proposal in Keystone State
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is considering House Bill 1500, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Keystone State to $15 per hour, by January 1, 2026. The legislation would incrementally raise the minimum wage beginning with an increase to $11 per hour beginning January 1, 2024. Then increasing to $13 per hour beginning […] -
Research & Commentary: Minimum Wage Hike Would Be a Bad Move for South Carolina
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The South Carolina Senate is considering Senate Bill 291, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Palmetto State to $15 per hour, immediately effective upon the passage of the legislation. Also known as the “South Carolina Minimum Wage Act” this bill would bring forth a substantial increase from South Carolina’s current minimum wage of […] -
Research & Commentary: Minimum Wage Hike Would Be a Bad Move for South Carolina
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The South Carolina House of Representatives is considering House Bill 3805, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Palmetto State to $17 per hour, immediately effective upon the passage of the legislation. Also known as the “South Carolina Minimum Wage Act,” this bill would bring forth a substantial increase from South Carolina’s current minimum […] -
Research & Commentary: South Carolina Could Provide Income Tax Relief with New Legislation
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The South Carolina Legislature is considering House Bill 3526, new legislation that would eliminate the imposition of the income tax on individuals, estates, and trusts in the Palmetto State. Throughout recent legislative sessions, many elected officials have turned their sights towards state revenue and budgets. Legislative sessions have been particularly unique following the COVID-19 economic […] -
Research & Commentary: Minimum Wage Hike Would Be a Bad Move for Oklahoma
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Oklahoma House of Representatives is considering House Bill 1986, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Sooner State to $13 per hour by January 1, 2026. This would be a substantial increase from Oklahoma’s current minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. HB 1986 would raise the minimum wage incrementally beginning with an increase […] -
Research & Commentary: Minimum Wage Hikes Are Not Viable Solutions for Oklahoma
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Oklahoma Senate is considering Senate Bill 156, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Sooner State to $10 per hour by January 1, 2026. This would be a substantial increase from Oklahoma’s current minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. SB 156 would raise the minimum wage incrementally beginning with an increase to $8.25 […] -
Research & Commentary: Senate Bill 163 Proposes Ill-Timed Minimum Wage Hike for Sooner State
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Oklahoma Senate is considering Senate Bill 163, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Sooner State to $13 per hour. This would be a substantial increase from Oklahoma’s current minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. SB 163 would raise the minimum wage incrementally by $0.50 per year over a five-year period after the […] -
Research & Commentary: Minimum Wage Hikes Will Only Hurt Small Businesses in Texas
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Texas House of Representatives is considering House Bill 169, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Lone Star State from its current $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour, beginning September 1, 2023. Historically, some state lawmakers have advocated for quick “fixes” in response to perilous economic situations. However, minimum wage increases almost […] -
Research & Commentary: Texas Economy Does Not Need Minimum Wage Hikes
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Texas House of Representatives is considering House Bill 1126, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Lone Star State from its current $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour, beginning January 1, 2025. HB 1126 would incrementally raise the minimum wage beginning with an increase to $12.50 per hour for the remainder of […] -
Research & Commentary: Minimum Wage Hike Is an Ill-Advised Move for The Lone Star State
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Texas House of Representatives is considering House Bill 1919, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Lone Star State from its current $7.25 per hour to $17 per hour, beginning January 1, 2025. HB 1919 would initially increase the minimum wage to $13.50 per hour for the year 2024, before moving onto the […] -
Research & Commentary: Texas Does Not Need to Urge Congress for Federal Minimum Wage Increase
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Texas Legislature is considering HCR 50, a concurrent resolution that would implore Congress to raise the federal minimum wage from its current $7.25 per hour, to $15 per hour. HCR 50 also requests that the Texas Secretary of State forward official copies of the resolution to the president, leader of the Senate, Speaker of the […] -
Research & Commentary: Minimum Wage Hike Would Be a Bad Move for Lone Star State
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Texas House of Representatives is considering House Bill 737, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Lone Star State from its current $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour, beginning September 1, 2023. Historically, some state lawmakers have advocated for quick “fixes” in response to perilous economic situations. However, minimum wage increases almost […] -
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Scores: A Threat to Individual Liberty, Free Markets, and the U.S. Economy
Publication -Policy Studies, Policy Briefs -ESG has become one of the gravest threats facing the free societies of the world today. -
6 Facts Every Lawmaker Needs to Know About the 2022 UCC Amendments and Central Bank Digital Currencies
Publication -Policy Tip Sheets -In July 2022, the Uniform Law Commission and American Law Institute approved new amendments to the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). As the Uniform Law Commission states, “The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is a comprehensive set of laws governing all commercial transactions in the United States. It is not a federal law, but a uniformly adopted […] -
Research & Commentary: ‘Making Work Pay’ Act Is Ill-Advised Move for Kansas
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Kansas House of Representatives is considering House Bill 2368, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Sunflower State to $16 per hour by January 1, 2027. Also known as the Making Work Pay Act, this would be a substantial increase from Kansas’ current minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. HB 2368 works in […] -
Research & Commentary: ‘Making Work Pay’ Act Would Undermine Kansas Economy
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Kansas Senate is considering Senate Bill 70, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Sunflower State to $16 per hour by January 1, 2027. Also known as the Making Work Pay Act, this would be a substantial increase from Kansas’ current minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. SB 70 works in tandem with House […] -
Research & Commentary: A Minimum Wage Hike to $20 Per Hour Is an Ill-Advised Move for the Rhode Island Legislature
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The Rhode Island General Assembly is considering Senate Bill 37, legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the Ocean State to $20 per hour by January 1, 2025. This is a dramatic increase from the current minimum wage of $13 per hour. The bill would initially increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour on […] -
Research & Commentary: West Virginia Could Provide Reduced Graduated Income Tax Rates with New Legislation
Publication -Research and Commentaries -The West Virginia legislature is considering House Bill 2526 new legislation that would reduce the personal income tax and provide reduced graduated income tax rates in the Mountain State. Throughout recent legislative session, many elected officials have turned their sights towards state revenue and budgets. Legislative sessions have been particularly unique following the COVID-19 economic downturn, which […] -
Wyoming Legislators Should Avoid Minimum Wage Hikes in 2023
Publication -Research and Commentaries -In this Research & Commentary Samantha Fillmore explains why minimum wage hikes would be harmful in 2023.