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Education
Research & Commentary: College Affordability and Student Loan Debt
Some 40 million Americans have a total of more than $1.3 trillion in student loan debt. Since 1978, college tuition and fees have risen by 1,134 percent, far outpacing even medical costs, which rose by 607 percent. U.S. higher education is expensive, but it’s still the best in the world, largely due to free-market mechanisms such as competition, consumer choice, and institutional autonomy. Policy Analyst Taylor Smith says even more market-based reform, not government intervention, is needed to cure higher education’s woes. Read more
Energy & Environment
Research & Commentary: Nuclear Power
Almost 20 percent of the United States’ electricity is generated by nuclear power, with more than 100 nuclear power units in 31 states. But no new nuclear reactors have begun construction since 1996. Experts across the political spectrum say the claims of health dangers linked to nuclear power are overblown. Federal and state legislators should acknowledge nuclear power is a safe, reliable, emission-free form of energy that should be freed from burdensome regulation and delays in government permitting. It also should be denied the generous taxpayer-funded benefits it has received in the past. Read more
Health Care
Research & Commentary: Utah Medicaid Expansion Update
As Gov. Gary Herbert’s (R) “Healthy Utah” Medicaid expansion plan awaits approval by the Obama administration, it remains unpopular with many Utahans. The plan includes the state’s recommendation that able-bodied applicants who receive insurance subsidies be required to work. The plan would provide assistance to citizens making less than $15,500 a year in order to help them pay for health insurance in private markets. In thisResearch & Commentary, Matthew Glans discusses the Healthy Utah plan, where it currently stands, and why the program is not the best plan for the people of Utah. “Instead of expanding a costly and flawed model that delivers subpar health care and shifts more power to the federal government, state lawmakers should focus instead on reform options like those piloted in Florida, which reduce costs and offer better care.” Read more
Budget & Tax
In Fight over Minimum Wage Hikes, Small Businesses Get Trampled
Rusty Weiss writes in The Heartlander digital magazine about New Jersey’s minimum wage increase and the negative effect the increase may have on small business owners. “Despite being just one of 23 states with a minimum wage higher than the federal minimum wage, New Jersey will see another increase of 1.59% come January. Small business owners are claiming the rate hikes will negatively impact job creation, will lead to fewer hours for current employees, and will result in an increase in costs for consumers.” Read more
Telecom
From Our Free-Market Friends
Revenue Sharing Reform: On the Road to Ohio’s Recovery
In a new report, the Buckeye Institute discusses revenue-sharing programs that redistribute state dollars to local governments. The statehouse liaison and policy analyst at the Buckeye Institute, Greg R. Lawson, found Ohio’s revenue-sharing programs and reforms have “the benefit of promoting economic growth and opportunity for the entire state while also fostering flexibility and fiscal responsibility.” Read more
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