John LaPlante
Tuesday, January 9, 2007No Brakes, Government at the WheelThat's the "Healthy Wisconsin" plan Filed As: Health CareIn the rush to "do something" about health care, Wisconsin is dusting off a proposal that has a few things to commend it. But those modest points are overshadowed by several serious flaws. The Wisconsin Policy Research Institute offers (PDF link) more »»
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Friday, January 5, 2007Progressive Income Taxes Encourage Boom and BustFiled As: Budget and TaxProgressive income tax rates are economically harmful, and not just because they depress economic growth. They can also make it more difficult to manage the budget over the economic cycle. As Russell S. Sobel and Gary A. Wagner point out in a conference presentation (PDF) from 2003,... more »»
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Friday, January 5, 2007Budget Surpluses are TemporaryPresent Opportunity for Expanded Spending Filed As: Budget and TaxWhile states were crying poverty a couple of years ago, today they are awash in cash. Think it will last? The Taxpayers League of Minnesota does a good job of describing the likely fate of state budget surpluses: "Demand for government spending always exceeds supply, but the more money ... more »»
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Thursday, January 4, 2007Mandatory Sick Leave?Business Takes a Hit After Minimum Wage Increase Filed As: Employment, Health CareFirst came mandatory unpaid sick leave (the Family and Medical Leave Act). You knew that a mandate for paid sick leave would not be far behind. Stateline.org reports that Sick Leave Tops State Labor Agendas in the ... more »»
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Friday, December 29, 2006What States Can Do in Health CareFiled As: Health CareWith Medicare grabbing all the attention, it's easy to forget that states are significant movers in health care policy in their own rights. The Pacific Research Institute hasn't forgotten. Its book, more »»
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Thursday, December 28, 2006Wi-Fi is Out of Government's CompetencyReports warn of "free" municipal wi-fi Filed As: Information Technology, Municipal ServicesWriting for the Foundation, Jerry Ellig warns that government involvement in wi-fi is problematic, even when the service is "free." "Proposals for free or privately subsidized Wi-Fi are obviously attractive at face value. Exclusive access to rights-of-way and poles would bestow a ... more »»
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Wednesday, December 27, 2006New Year, New LawsFiled As: GeneralThere's a new year, and that means new laws in the states, as measures passed last year take effect on January 1. One frequent change in the states: a higher minimum wage. The folly of attempting to override the laws of economics with the laws of man having gone unnoticed, 18 states will ... more »»
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Tuesday, December 26, 2006School Funding Up, Student Achievement Stagnant80 Percent Increase in Funds Since 1986 Filed As: Education (k-12)The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), reports that "Over the past 20 years education funding in America has increased by almost 80 percent so that today school systems spend an average of more than $9,000 per student. Despite this record of growth, student ... more »»
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Tuesday, December 26, 2006Charter Schools Turn Back a Legal Challenge in Ohio"Common Schools" Clause Does Not Prohibit Charters Filed As: Education (k-12)The education blob has shown itself quite willing to use a variety of techniques to fight off education reform, ranging from vouchers to charter schools. One such challenge is the "uniformity clause." The Buckeye Institute ... more »»
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Tuesday, December 26, 2006Million-Dollar Inaugural Balls?Budgets Range from $100,000 to $1,000,000 Filed As: Budget and TaxUSA Today reports on inaugural balls for incoming governors. The spending amounts range from $100,000 (Idaho) to $1,000,000 (Ohio).
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