
Health Care Arkansas Looks for Alternative to Medicaid Expansion Matthew Glans discusses Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s (R) proposed reauthorization of the state’s premium assistance program through the end of 2016 and creation of a legislative task force to develop an alternative to the state’s Medicaid expansion. “Although more than 200,000 Arkansans gained coverage and costs for hospitals were cut, it created severe budget problems. The program has been dubbed the ‘private option’ because it gives beneficiaries limited access to private health coverage instead of the state’s traditional Medicaid program.” Read more
Budget & Tax South Carolina Governor Proposes Gas, Income Tax Deal Jeff Reynolds examines South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s (R) proposed tax plans from her annual State of the State address. Haley proposed reforming the state’s tax structure, cutting the state’s income tax rate by 30 percent, and increasing the state’s gas tax by $0.10 per gallon. Haley’s support for increasing the gas tax is conditional; she would only agree to the increase if the state’s legislature approves a proposed 30 percent reduction of the income tax rate. Reynolds spoke with several policy experts who argue Haley’s deal could be a net gain for South Carolina taxpayers. Read more
Energy & Environment States Challenge Federal Control of Western Lands Large swaths of federal lands in Western states between the eastern rim of the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean are at the center of a debate over states’ rights. Under the “Transfer of Public Lands Act,” signed into law in 2012 by Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R), the federal government had until Dec. 31, 2014, to relinquish control of more than half of the 54.3 million acres Washington, DC controls in Utah. Read more
Education Texas Savings Grant Program Could Save Billions Senate Bill 276, which aims to expand opportunities for Texas students through vouchers, may become law during the current legislative session after years of setbacks by school choice opponents. State Sen. Donna Campbell (R-Comal County) has introduced the Taxpayer Savings Grant Program in previous sessions, but she is bolstering her argument for school choice with new cost-savings research. Read more
Telecom It’s Really, Really Time to Ban Internet Discrimination Forever Congress has once again introduced the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act. This legislation bans taxes on Internet access permanently and disallows multiple and discriminatory taxes on Internet activities. Bartlett Cleland argues the legislation is needed to ensure the continued growth of the Internet economy. “Congress has a clear choice: Make complete and permanent the ban on Internet access and multiple or discriminatory taxes online, encouraging broadband access and e-commerce, or turn away from that national priority and allow the pro-tax thugs to loot our digital future.” Read more
From Our Free-Market Friends School Choice in Virginia In 2014, Virginia passed the Education Scholarships Tax Credit Act. Having won a decade-long battle, private donors can now help children find new options in education and receive a 65 percent state tax credit. In a new issue of the Thomas Jefferson Journal, education expert Chris Braunlich discusses the benefits of school choice in Virginia and the profound difference it will make in the lives of thousands of children. Read more
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