EconomyCommentary
Should Your Tour Guide Have to Pass a Government Exam?
Should guides have to pass a multiple-choice history test, background check and drug screen to be eligible to provide tours in cities? The Supreme Court… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Taxpayers May Be on the Hook for Another Massive Bailout. This Time, It’s Unions Who Might Benefit.
If you’re a worker and you have a pension, there’s a government agency that will pay that pension if your company is unable to fulfill… Read More
EconomyNews
Government Agency Under Scrutiny for Telework Abuse
The federal office that stripped the Washington Redskins’ trademark has lost control of its “teleworkers,” who are reportedly gaming the system on the taxpayers’ dime, according to recent… Read More
EconomyNews
Maryland Questions Its Taxpayer Subsidy for ‘House of Cards’
Maryland politicians cast their film incentives program as the only way to lure productions such as “House of Cards” and boost the state’s economy. Yet, a… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Sprint Wanted to Offer a Facebook-Only Internet Plan for Phones. The Government Blocked It.
Like Theodore Roosevelt, Barack Obama knows that the presidency makes an effective bully pulpit — even when you have historically low approval ratings. He showed… Read More
EconomyCommentary
If You Want to Pay More for Internet Access, Obama’s Got Your Back
Ready to pay more for Internet access? Me neither. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what we can expect under the “net neutrality” rules being pushed by President… Read More
EconomyNews
Study: State Governments Are in a $4.7 Trillion Hole
HONOLULU — A new report from State Budget Solutions, a national nonprofit organization focusing on states’ fiscal responsibility, warns it’s time for newly elected state… Read More
EconomyNews
Minnesota School Boards Can–and Often Do–Raise Taxes Without Voter Approval
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesotans faced 39 school operating levy referendums on the ballot this fall, fewer than in any election since 1996. And they… Read More
EconomyNews
How Taxes Leave Some NHL Teams at a Disadvantage for Hockey’s Top Players
In the National Hockey League, an unrestricted free agent likely considers many factors when choosing a team: salary, coach, teammates, quality of the franchise, and… Read More
EconomyNews
How Many Permits Does It Take for One Company to Build a New Plant in Pennsylvania?
PITTSBURGH — News earlier this month that Shell Chemicals would buy an industrial site in Beaver County is a major step in the company’s plans… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Why Does Washington Want to Hide Science Data From the Public?
When federal bureaucrats drive up costs for American families and businesses through heavy-handed regulation, it shouldn’t be too much to ask for a solid scientific… Read More
EconomyCommentary
How Hiking Taxes Is Working Out for Japan (Hint: Not Great)
Japan is suffering another economic free fall. Following a second quarter GDP decline of an annualized 7.3 percent, this last quarter the economy in Tokyo… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Only 6 Out of 10 Americans Eligible to Work Are Actually Working
First, the good news. The economy is unmistakably regaining some of its mojo. We picked up another 214,000 jobs in October, according to the Labor… Read More
EconomyNews
Which City Has the Freest Transportation Market? This Map Ranks the Best and Worst
Is your city transportation-friendly? A new interactive scorecard, created by the R Street Institute, grades 50 cities on their regulatory openness toward car services. The… Read More
EconomyCommentary
What We Need to Do to Make Sure We Don’t Have to Bailout Financial Firms Ever Again
The Republicans will hold a comfortable majority in the U.S. House and, at most, a 55 seat majority in the Senate for the 114th Congress…. Read More
EconomyCommentary
The Only Republican Governor Who Lost in 2014 Was the One Who Raised Gas Taxes
For months on end, Democrats crowed that voters were going to toss Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and his tax-cutting agenda out of office on Tuesday…. Read More
EconomyNews
Ohio’s Unfunded Pension Liability More than $25K per Resident, $10K Above National Average
Ohio’s public pension plans have so much debt that paying it off today would cost each resident $25,080. According to a new report, “Promises Made,… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Enjoy Verizon’s Free Downloads All Day. They Could Soon be Illegal.
In an act of thanksgiving to its customers (and some strategic marketing), Verizon Wireless has declared it will provide free wireless data and access to… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Obama’s Plan for a Backdoor Internet Tax
Will the Federal Communications Commission tax the Internet? It’s very possible, said FCC commissioner Mike O’Reilly at a conference sponsored by the Free State Foundation… Read More
EconomyCommentary
How Business-Friendly Is Your State? Check Out These Rankings
The choice of where to locate a business depends upon several factors. One of the most important elements of a favorable business environment is good… Read More
EconomyNews
Feds Dig Up $2 Million to Support Networking Needs of Amateur Fossil Fans
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Fossil lovers now have one more way to link up and talk about dinosaurs, thanks to a mammoth-sized federal grant. Critics call… Read More
EconomyNews
Federal Workers Ask Obama for a Raise: Watch Them Make the Case for a $15 Minimum Wage
Government contractors from around Washington, D.C., held a one-day strike Thursday to urge President Obama to raise the minimum wage to $15 for federal employees. Fearing the Republican-controlled… Read More
EconomyCommentary
The Richest 1 Percent of Americans Pay 24 Percent of Federal Taxes
The Congressional Budget Office released its annual study of the distribution of income and federal taxes. It tells us what we’ve long known: The rich pay… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Export-Import Bank Misleads Congress and Public About Helping Small Businesses
Officials of the Export-Import Bank continuously justify apportioning billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies as necessary to the very survival of America’s small businesses. But… Read More
EconomyNews
Tax Incentives for Certain Va. Businesses Driving State into Debt
RICHMOND, Va. — Tax incentives for selected businesses are driving Virginia deeper into debt, and House Speaker Bill Howell says he’s committed to curbing the special… Read More
EconomyNews
‘How to Split the Baby’: FCC Chief Diverges from Obama on Internet Plan
The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission has signaled mixed feelings over President Obama’s support for tougher regulations on Internet providers. Obama said Monday that… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Lessons to Be Learned from Past Tax Reform
Four veterans of some of America’s greatest tax reform successes spoke at Heritage on October 21 about lessons to be learned from those legislative victories…. Read More
EconomyCommentary
Take “Yes” for an Answer on Pacific Free Trade
The leaders of the 21 countries represented at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings concluded their annual talks with the following declaration concerning a Free… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Heritage Fellow Michel Speaks at Cato Institute Monetary Conference
The Cato Institute hosted its 32nd annual monetary conference at the organizations’ headquarters on November 6. The goal of the conference was to facilitate a… Read More
EconomyCommentary
This Solar Firm Wants $539 Million From the Government. It Just Might Get It, Even After Solyndra.
If you’re a taxpayer, here’s a story that should really make your blood boil. Ivanpah, a solar plant in California, received a $1.6 billion loan… Read More
