Dr. Krugman’s Rants
“I think too much realism can actually be a problem.” – Paul Krugman on the PBS Charlie Rose Show, Oct. 12, 2011 ****** Enough is enough. One expects some exaggeration from a political columnist, but one expects at least a minimal level of accuracy if the columnist is a Nobel Laureate—even if he writes for […]
Congress, Butt Out! The Constitution Reserves Malpractice Reform for the States
In their zeal to adopt a federal malpractice reform bill to dictate procedures to state courts, many Republicans in Congress are doing precisely what they rightly accuse Democrats of doing: blithely disregarding the Constitution’s clear limits on federal power. Their proposals, once encapsulated in H.R. 5 and then slipped into the Senate Republican “jobs bill,” […]
Talking Teacher Pay without Breaking Up a Party or Getting Soap in the Mouth
When I happened to mention to my mom and dad that I might blog about this issue, one of them said: “That’s the kind of topic you bring up when you want to break up a party.” Well, there isn’t any party going on here right now, so why not just throw the provocative question […]
Penn Pfiffner on the Tax Foundation Podcast Show
With the Proposition 103 tax increase heavily defeated this November, what comes next for Coloradans for low taxes and limited government? Senior fellow Penn Pfiffner was a guest on The Tax Foundation’s podcast show recently to discuss Prop 103’s resounding defeat, the nature of our state budget, government’s role in our lives, and the ongoing […]
Paul Hill Points Way Toward Colorado’s New Digital-Friendly K-12 Funding System
As a nation and a state, we’re on the brink of a digital learning explosion. I’m talking about a system of education characterized by flexibility, freedom and personalization — one where online courses and opportunities are embraced wholeheartedly in a family or community context, or blended in various ways with traditional classrooms and school functions. […]
North Dakota Rejects ObamaCare ‘Exchange’
“I certainly am not going to legitimize Obamacare with my vote,” said Rep. Wes Belter, R-Fargo. “We, as a state of North Dakota, need to follow some of the other states who have said no… It is the law, but the fight should not be over.” Continue reading
Technology-Neutral Energy Savings
The EPA estimates the Toyota Prius gets 50 miles per gallon. But, judging from other cars that are made in both hybrid and regular versions, much of that high efficiency is not due to the hybrid engine. The Toyota Camry hybrid, for example, gets 39 mph on the highway, while the non-hybrid version gets 35 […]
Independence Institute Report Helps Build K-12 Financial Transparency Momentum
Not long ago my Education Policy Center friends released a report analyzing how well Colorado’s 195 local education agencies (i.e., school districts and BOCES) are complying with the 2010 Public School Financial Transparency Act. As you might imagine, this kind of work presented the challenge of capturing a perfect static picture in a dynamic online […]
Dave Kopel on what the Supreme Court should do w/ Obamacare Case
Dave Kopel, Research Director of the Independence Institute, what the Supreme Court should do with the ObamaCare case. Continue reading
Wall St. Journal, Larry Sand Shine Light on Digital Learning’s Growth & Potential
Last week I told you that the first-ever Digital Learning Day is less than three months away. Someone out there must have been paying attention! Today the Wall Street Journal has a big — no, make that a huge! — article by Stephanie Banchero and Stephanie Simon about online education cleverly called “My Teacher Is […]
Even the Washington Post Opposes California High-Speed Rail
Once a supporter, now the Washington Post‘s editorial page says, “Somebody, please, stop this train.” With projected costs escalating from $15 billion in 1996 to $98.5 billion fifteen years later, just how bad do things have to get before supporters admit the plan is foolish?
Obamacare-style price controls succeed in New York: ‘tens of thousands’ to lose their health care coverage
Government denials of rate increases result in insurer choosing to stop selling small group plans in New York state. Continue reading
