The last few weeks have brought a flurry of exciting policy reforms from the Midwest. In Indiana, a variety of new proposals aims to benefit students, teachers, and families. Governor Mitch Daniels (R-IN) is lending his support to a proposal to create scholarships for low- and moderate-income students in the state. The scholarship program would allow low-income families to receive as much as 90 percent of the cost of educating a child in a public school to be put toward tuition at a private school of their choice. Although there …
The true scope of the devastation in Japan caused by Friday’s earthquake and tsunami are still unknown. While the official death toll has surpassed 1,000, the police chief of the Miyagi Prefecture said Sunday there is “no question” that at least 10,000 people have died in just his region alone. Japan has mobilized 100,000 troops for rescue missions, and at least three U.S. Navy ships of the USS Ronald Reagan strike group are assisting in relief efforts. Yet, despite the gravity of the situation, some on the left in this …
Analysis provided by Heritage Action. House Analysis: March 13-19, 2011 With the current short CR is set to expire on Friday, March 18th the House will be focused on yet another short term extension. The plan put forward by Republican leadership cuts an additional $6 billion dollars over three weeks, but again fails to include important policy riders like defunding Obamcare, blocking implementation of the EPA’s cap-and-trade plan, and denying federal funding for Planned Parenthood. Failure to pass a either a short term or a longer-term extension by Friday would lead to …
The March 11 “Day of Rage” demonstrations called for by political opponents of the Saudi monarchy did not materialize as anticipated. Turnout for the protests was sparse in the face of warnings from Saudi officials that laws prohibiting public demonstrations would be strictly enforced. On the day of the protest, the government ordered a massive police clampdown, mobilizing thousands of internal security forces in major cities to erect a web of checkpoints and mobile patrols. Perhaps more importantly, there was growing confusion over exactly who was calling for the “Day …
A CNN report Friday revealed the stark reality that gas prices have risen by 37 cents since February 22, reaching an average of $3.50 per gallon nationwide. Prices are expected to follow an upward trajectory in coming months. At Friday’s press conference on rising gas and oil prices, the President correctly stated that families, consumers, and businesses all feel the effects of higher prices. Yet the rest of his message was laced with misinformation and wobbly rhetoric. Bottom line: The Administration’s solutions are not really solutions at all. Denying that …
The impact of the Japanese earthquake on its nuclear reactors continues to capture the world’s attention. Reports of radioactive releases, elevated radiation levels, and malfunctioning power systems all strike fear into the public as memories of Three Mile Island and Chernobyl quickly enter the national and global conscious. It is important, however, to understand what these terms mean and how different actions taken by Japanese nuclear officials actually impact human health and safety. One area where this is particularly important is regarding the potential release of radioactive steam. According to …
Late yesterday, the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals handed the Obama DOJ yet another defeat in the Obamacare litigation—this time related to how quickly the appeal will proceed. Readers of this blog know that the Obama DOJ has been attempting to slow walk its appeal of Judge Vinson’s ruling. Judge Vinson stayed his decision striking down the whole of Obamacare, but only if the DOJ filed for expedited review in the 11th Circuit. The DOJ did file for expedited review on Wednesday, but as Todd Gaziano noted at the …
One provision of Obamacare has already spawned a nightmare for doctors, pharmacists, and patients. As of January 1, Americans with health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible savings accounts (FSAs), and health reimbursement accounts (HRAs) can no longer purchase over-the-counter (OTC) drugs using these tax-exempt accounts. After only a couple of months, health care providers are already experiencing the negative consequences of the change. This provision was included to raise tax revenue to help pay for massive new spending under Obamacare. From its conception, its major flaw is that it creates additional …
What to do about Libya? First of all, we need to be clear about our national interests. Since we have lived with the Muammar Qadhafi regime for years—and particularly because Libya gave up its weapons of mass destruction program—there is no immediate vital national interest requiring the use of force. That could change. Qadhafi could establish links with terrorist groups that threaten America. He could take Americans hostage or attack our citizens and assets or those of our allies. He could threaten the region’s oil supplies. Any one or a …
As the President’s ambitious passenger rail program falters, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood is attempting to stem defections by presenting the train program as a jobs program. In a recent blog, LaHood stated: In Meridian, Mississippi, for example, a small town mayor leveraged $1.3 million of public dollars and $135 million of private dollars to build a downtown transportation hub. Now, Amtrak service comes to the station and brings 350,000 passengers a year through a town of only 40,000. Rail has breathed new life—and new business—into a historic community.
