Ho Hum, Another Airline Merger
American and US Air are thinking of merging, so naturally it’s time for a scare story about how mergers will lead to higher prices. Not likely. A few years ago, there were six big airlines, but four of them–Delta & Northwest, United & Continental–merged into two. But Southwest is now one of the big four, […]
Original Intent, Original Understanding, Original Meaning
It is often said that the Constitution should be interpreted according to its “original intent, “original understanding,” or “original meaning.” Is there any difference between these concepts? And if so, which is the proper standard? This is an area in which there has been a great deal of confusion, largely because few constitutional writers are […]
Controversial NREL Director to Chair National Science Board
In the wake of controversial comments advocating the end of fossil fuels as sources for US energy in order to combat global warming, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Director Dan Arvizu has been elected Chairman of the National Science Board (NSB) according to an NREL press release. Just days ago during the World Renewable Energy […]
Solving the Funding Crises in PERA
The paper is based on testimony presented to the Senate Finance Committee regarding the soundness of the Public Employees Retirement Association fund. Dr. Poulson recommends steps to fix the actuarial problems, and modifying the retirement.
Dirty Politics in Lane County
In Oregon’s primary election this past Tuesday, Andy Stahl, who frequently comments on this blog, lost his bid to become Lane County (Oregon) commissioner. It is hard for me to tell this story, as I am one of the reasons he lost. His opponent was Pete Sorenson, a four-term incumbent. I’ve known Pete for about […]
Colorado K-12 Funding for the 21st Century: Toward Mass Customized Learning?
I’m a little bit tired today, having Tweeted up a storm at the Donnell-Kay Foundation’s Colorado Summit on Blended Learning. I have neither the time nor the energy to recap the great presentations from the likes of iNACOL’s David Teeter, Utah Senator Howard Stephenson, New Hampshire Deputy Commissioner Paul Leather, Colorado Department of Education Assistant […]
Toodling Around DC in the Google Car
The Google car is in Washington, DC, and the Antiplanner managed to hitch a ride around downtown. My host, Anthony Lavandowski–sometimes driving, sometimes just sitting in the driver’s seat–answered a number of questions about the car. The Cato Institute’s David Boaz stands next to the Google Prius. In addition to the spinning laser sensor on […]
5/16/12
Newsletter May 16 2012
Adams 12 Teachers Fired for Alleged Theft Resurrects Tenure Reform Debate
On Monday night, Denver CBS4 investigator Rick Sallinger broke a story about Adams 12 dismissing two teachers for allegedly bilking thousands of dollars in PTO funds that were supposed to go for student trips. I never like to see such a story as the one featured in the 3-minute video. Interviewed by Sallinger, school board […]
Online Course-Level Funding: Toward Colorado Secondary Self-Blended Learning Options
Many Colorado secondary students may benefit from greater opportunity to take a number of traditional face-to-face classes and digital courses simultaneously. Students’ ability to “self-blend” courses in this manner is hampered by school district control of per-pupil funding and course options. Following the national Digital Learning Council’s guidelines, Colorado should alter the K-12 education funding system to enable greater student access to effective online course options.
Catholic university drops student health insurance, cites ObamaCare intolerance
A university responds to ObamaCare’s religious intolerance. Continue reading
Obama Plays Hardball with California
The Obama administration is threatening to take back the $3.3 billion high-speed rail grant to California if the state legislature fails to approve the state’s high-speed rail plan by the end of June. Legislators had planned to hold some hearings this summer so they could base their decisions on actual facts rather than politics. Ironically, […]
