Publications & Studies
Publications (page 5)
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The State Legislators Guide to Prescription Drug Policy
There has been a recent public outcry about the high cost of healthcare in the United States, with prescription drug prices at the center of the debate. As a result,…
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Keeping the Promise: Getting Politics Out of Pensions
Pensions are a valuable non-wage benefit that a large majority of state and local governments offer their employees as part of their compensation packages. With approximately $3.8 trillion in total…
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21st Report Card on American Education
The future of the American education system has the potential to be bright. In forward-thinking states like Arizona, the state that took the top spot on this year’s ranking, parents…
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2016: A Successful Year for Criminal Justice Reform and Path to the Future
In 2005, Texas officials noticed the alarming rate at which their state’s corrections budget was growing. By 2007, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice wanted the state legislature to…
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The Pernicious Myth of the Underfunded American Education System
The myth that education is underfunded in the United States, where per-pupil spending is higher than most of the countries that outperform it on the PISA exam, is both wrongheaded…
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Educational Choice in 2016
Two new school choice programs were passed during the 2016 state legislative sessions: a voucher program in Maryland and a tax credit scholarship in South Dakota. Neither state had any…
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A Guide to State Laws Impacting UAS/UAV Operations: A Resource for Recreational, Non-Recreational and Commercial Drone Operators
Interest in Unmanned Aerial Systems and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UASs/UAVs or “drones”) has exploded in recent years. Some experts estimate nearly 2.8 million drones will be purchased in the United…
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Unaccountable and Unaffordable 2016: Unfunded Public Pension Liabilities Near $5.6 Trillion
State public pension plans are now underfunded by nearly $5.6 trillion – an increase of almost $900 billion from State Budget Solutions’ (SBS) last comprehensive report in 2014.
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State of the States 2016
This report observes and analyzes the economic policy proposals discussed in each governor’s State of the State address.
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Article V: A Handbook for State Lawmakers
First published in 2011, the Handbook is an invaluable guide for state lawmakers who recognize that the states have the power and the duty to rein in a federal government…
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The 21st Century Education Savings Accounts
School choice programs, from charter schools to voucher and tax credit scholarship programs, enjoy bipartisan support and are growing quickly across a majority of states. However, not all school choice…
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Rich States, Poor States, 9th Edition
The 9th Edition of Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index reveals a pro-growth trend across the nation for 2016. Rich States, Poor States examines the latest movements…
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State Factor: Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Reform Saves States Money and Reduces Crime Rates
The United States has been experiencing increasingly high levels of incarceration, particularly over the last three decades. Several states have realized such levels are not sustainable and have been examining…
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State Tax Cut Roundup: 2015 Legislative Session
The 2015 legislative session featured a notable number of states achieving tax relief and tax reform for their citizens. Pro-growth tax reform was a key theme throughout the 2015 legislative…
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State Factor: Optimizing the Abuse-deterrent Opioids Market
An estimated 15.7 million people aged 12 or older have used prescription drugs non-medically in the past year, according to Dr. Wayne Winegarden’s State Factor on the American opioid crisis.
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Rich States, Poor States, 8th Edition
Throughout the country, states are looking for ways to energize their economies and become more competitive. Each state confronts this task with a set of policy decisions unique to their…
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Federalism, Dillon Rule and Home Rule
Every local government is governed by their respective states by two legal definitions, The Dillon Rule or Home Rule. Regardless of which legal definition a local government falls under, both…
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Report Card on American Education: State Education Rankings
Education Report Card By Dr. Matthew Ladner The 20th edition of the Report Card on American Education is a comprehensive overview of educational achievement levels, focusing on performance and gains for low-income…
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State Factor: Charitable Giving
State Factor: The Effect of State Taxes on Charitable Giving According to the new report, The Effect of State Taxes on Charitable Giving the following states donated the most to charity…
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Federally Managed Lands in the West
Federally Managed Lands in the West: The Economic and Environmental Implications for the States In the 12 continental states from Colorado west, more than 50 percent of the land is…