EPA report is blessing in disguise for fracking advocates
by Donovan Schafer In a recent report, the EPA linked groundwater contamination in Pavillion, Wyoming, to the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) used to extract oil and gas. You can almost hear the collective “Hooray!” from anti-fracking advocates. But the actual data in the EPA report make it clear that fracking is safe. The […]
Feds won’t add any insurance coverage mandates in exchanges – for now
“Insurance providers will not have to offer any new health benefits beyond what the state of Colorado already mandates … in order to sell policies in health benefits exchanges, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced.” This won’t be a “race to the bottom,” contrary to critics. Continue reading
When the Facts Change, Some Minds Don’t
John Maynard Keynes is supposed to have said, “When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?” For many politicians including President Obama, the answer is, “I ignore the facts and stick to my preconceived notions.” Back in 2008, California voters approved high-speed rail based on the promises that, at a […]
What being "green" says about you!
This may be the best column that Michael Sandoval and I have ever written. First, we use the Environmental Protection Agency’s own report to expose how “green” technology actually is polluting, not saving, the planet. Second, what does the need to be “green” say about those who advance an energy policy that makes no sense […]
Saving High Street
It’s not enough for planners to control where people live. Now they want to control where people shop. British planner Mary Portas has unveiled a 28-point plan for saving High Street (the Britishism for what Americans would call downtown). The most important part of the plan would prevent anyone from building a suburban shopping center […]
Denver Innovation Schools Report Does Little to Resolve Policy Debate
Back in the warm summertime, which seems so long ago, I brought attention to a thoughtful essay that called into question the success of the Innovation Schools Act. My thoughts on the matter really haven’t changed since then — I still believe despite the clear limitations there is a place for innovation schools, though not […]
Coincidence? Maybe, Maybe Not
Last Friday, December 9, the Detroit News published the Antiplanner’s critique of Detroit’s proposed Woodward light-rail line. On Tuesday, December 13, “the feds, the governor and the mayor” decided that bus-rapid transit makes more sense, so they killed the light-rail plan.
Share News of Dec. 15 Teachers Union Political Refund Deadline for the Holidays!
Little Eddie is learning to be generous during the holiday season. That’s why I’m helping my Education Policy Center friend Ben DeGrow with one of his favorite charities: informing and reminding Colorado teachers of their membership options. It’s especially important this time of year, because tomorrow (December 15) is the deadline for members of the […]
Stupid is as stupid does
Colorado MoveOn member Kyle Elston sent the following email asking Colorado’s anti-fossil fuel, kool-aid drinking community to electronically sign a petition telling Routt County Commissioners to put a moratorium on “all future oil and gas exploration permits until” — you’ve probably guessed it already — more stringent rules and regulations are in place. Read the […]
More bad news Abound
With prices tanking along with sales, First Solar, the world’s largest manufacturer of thin-filmed solar panels, “slashed its profit and sales forecast today and said it will fire about 100 employees, most of them at a Santa Clara, California, research center, the Tempe, Arizona-based company said today in a filing,” Bloomberg reports. In addition, First Solar […]
Highway Cost Overruns
Numerous state highway programs have suffered cost overruns, say the Gannett papers (which include USA Today). What’s striking from the story, however, is how small and rare the cost overruns really are. The papers found overruns in 19 states, but they focused on projects that actually had overruns and did not reveal how many projects […]
Devil's Advocate: Colorado Teachers Union Political Refund
Tune in to Devil’s Advocate as host Jon Caldara is joined by Independence Institute senior policy analyst Ben DeGrow to discuss the December 15 deadline for Colorado teachers union members who want to get refunds of their money used for political purposes. For educators who wish to exercise the refund option, more information on how to get back the $39 CEA Every Member Option (EMO) and the various local EMOs can be found on the Independent Teachers website.
