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Budget and Tax
Research & Commentary: Civil Asset Forfeiture
Civil asset forfeiture, also known as civil judicial forfeiture, is a controversial legal process in which law enforcement agencies take personal assets from individuals or groups suspected of a crime or illegal activity. This can be done without bringing criminal charges against those whose assets are seized, and the standards of proof allowing seizure differ from state to state. In this Research & Commentary, Senior Policy Analyst Matthew Glans examines forfeiture and recommends state legislators implement reforms to remove incentives for police to seize assets and require clear evidence a person has committed a crime before property is taken. Read more
Energy and Environment
Report: Ohio Renewable Energy Mandates Impose High Costs
In 2014, Ohio became the first state to take a step back from its commitment to subsidized renewable energy. Gov. John Kasich signed legislation temporarily freezing, at 12.5 percent, the percentage of electricity utilities were required to generate from renewable power sources. If the legislature does not act, in 2016 the previous standard will come back into force, though the timeline for meeting the 25 percent renewable level is pushed out two years. Ohioans may see a totally different model for how utilities are being compelled to invest in renewables and efficiencies. Read more
Education
Why Your State Should Copy Nevada’s School Choice Plan
Nevada’s recently enacted nearly universal education savings account (ESA) program could not have come at a better time. On the National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP), often called the nation’s report card, 59 percent of non-low-income Nevada 8th graders failed to score at the proficient level on the reading and math exams. Lance Izumi reports NAEP scores show students from middle-income families also are failing to achieve proficiency. Read more
Health Care
Research & Commentary: Kentucky Certificate of Need Reform
The Kentucky Office of Health Policy has shown interest in reforming the state’s certificate of need process, modernizing it in order to “better enable health care providers to work toward improved health for all Kentuckians.” Recent studies have shown CON laws fail to achieve many of their stated goals and increase costs for consumers by hindering competition and forcing providers to use older facilities and equipment. In this Research & Commentary, Senior Policy Analyst Matthew Glans argues Kentucky should consider CON repeal. Read more
Telecom
Online Poker Ban Gains Support in U.S. Senate
Efforts to increase regulations on online poker are moving forward in the U.S. Senate and now have a new ally, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). Reid, who in the past supported online gaming, now backs the Restoring America’s Wire Act (RAWA), a bill that aims to revise federal anti-wagering laws to include bans on online poker. Critics of the bill say it is an example of the “bootleggers and Baptists dynamic,” under which brick and mortar establishments snuff out competition with the help of those morally opposed to gambling.Read more
From Our Free-Market Friends
Litigating Liberty: Lessons Learned from the Front Lines
Join the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Institute for Justice, and Liberty Institute to discuss local, state, and federal litigation efforts that have advanced economic opportunity, defended religious freedom, and fought for private property rights. The program will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM (CDT) at the Texas Public Policy Foundation in Austin, Texas. Register here
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