Archives: Brian Hawkins / Articles

Archives: Brian Hawkins / Articles

  • Why does the NDAA limit military recruits to one type of shoe? image

    Why does the NDAA limit military recruits to one type of shoe?

    The National Defense Authorization Act is up for debate in Congress, and one of the more interesting sections is Section 808 (2015-16 NDAA), which would essentially grant New Balance, the athletic shoe company, with an exclusive contract to outfit new military recruits with running shoes.

  • Can a Free Market Innovation Help Jumpstart the U.S. Fracking Boom? image

    Can a Free Market Innovation Help Jumpstart the U.S. Fracking Boom?

    Earlier this week, EOG Resources, Inc., a Houston-based oil and gas exploration company, reported on an earnings call that their engineers had recently used natural gas to successfully extract…

  • Ending the Cuban Embargo Could Save Lives image

    Ending the Cuban Embargo Could Save Lives

    President Obama's reengagement with the island nation has the potential to unleash significant trade opportunities that will benefit Cubans with greater access to American medical advances, but it will surprise many Americans to find Cuba could help the U.S. in the war on cancer.

  • ALEC Principles Shine Light on Government Failures image

    ALEC Principles Shine Light on Government Failures

    Sunshine Week, running from March 13 to 19, aims to promote transparency in government, which is a fundamental component of the ALEC principles of limited government, free markets and federalism. The private sector can offer superior alternatives to failing public schools, overly complex healthcare services and expensive infrastructure projects. When government services are transferred to the free market, private companies deliver high-quality public services at far less cost to the taxpayer.

  • California’s Golden Opportunity on Sentencing Reform image

    California’s Golden Opportunity on Sentencing Reform

    California Governor Jerry Brown has proposed a ballot initiative that aims to alleviate the state’s overcrowded prisons. Brown’s proposal will reduce the prison population by hastening prison release programs…

  • How States Can Serve Veterans in their Communities image

    How States Can Serve Veterans in their Communities

    As Veterans Day approaches, Americans reflect on how to serve those who have selflessly served this country. With the Pentagon enforcing dramatic force reductions, the best thing state governments can…

  • Prison Release without Parolee Preparation Risks Recidivism image

    Prison Release without Parolee Preparation Risks Recidivism

    Beginning October 30 and continuing to November 2, the U.S. Justice Department will release up to 6,000 inmates from federal prisons. This is part of an effort to decrease overcrowding…

  • Solitary Confinement Abuse Threatens Public Safety image

    Solitary Confinement Abuse Threatens Public Safety

    Every year, thousands of prisoners are released directly from solitary confinement back into civil society. In doing so, prisoners are left unprepared for civilian life, consequently significantly increasing their chances…

  • Puerto Rico’s Debt Crisis: Mitigating the Current Crisis and Preventing Future Ones image

    Puerto Rico’s Debt Crisis: Mitigating the Current Crisis and Preventing Future Ones

    On August 3rd, Puerto Rico failed to pay $58 million to its Public Finance Corporation creditors. Nearly a month earlier, ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Research Analyst…

  • South Korea Celebrates 70 Years of Independence image

    South Korea Celebrates 70 Years of Independence

    On August 15, South Korea, formally known as the Republic of Korea (ROK) will celebrate 70 years of independence. A true appreciation for the profound significance of Korean Independence Day…