Category: Fiscal Policy
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The Risks of Mission Creep for Local Governments and Public Institutions
Local governments have traditionally been responsible for specific functions, such as public safety and education. However, with the rise of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks and the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) trend, there is increasing pressure for governments to address extraneous priorities. This mission creep can have adverse effects on the primary services…
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The Dangers of Mission Creep in Local Governments and Public Agencies
Local governments have traditionally existed to serve specific functions, with cities taking care of public safety and roads, school and community-college districts handling education, and transit agencies running buses and trains. However, local-government leaders often face increasing demands, both internally and externally, to address issues beyond their core competences, which can have adverse results for…
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The Latest Round of Inflation is Functionally Solved: Understanding the True Inflation Figure
The latest round of inflation is functionally solved and we are about two months away from achieving this, barring any exogenous shock to our economy. This is not a prophecy or unmitigated good news, but merely an observation about something that has already occurred and is widely misunderstood. The main reported figure, headline CPI data,…
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Iowa’s Conservative Reforms: A Model for Other States
Iowa is well-known for its first-in-the-nation caucuses during election season, but when it comes to policy, the state has traditionally not received much attention. However, after the 2016 election gave Republicans unified control of Iowa’s house, senate, and governor’s mansion, the state has become a leader in strong conservative reforms. Other states should take notice…
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How Site Neutrality Can Help Reduce Medicare Overpayments and Benefit Taxpayers and Seniors
After months of debate, Congress has finally raised the debt ceiling. However, the outlook for the nation’s fiscal health remains bleak, as lawmakers have taken federal health and entitlement programs off the table. Eventually, Congress will have to address this issue, and reducing overpayments in the Medicare program could be a solution that benefits taxpayers…
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Did the Recent Debt-Ceiling Negotiations Show That Washington is Working Again?
After the recent debt-ceiling negotiations, which resulted in a bipartisan agreement and prevented a default, some are questioning whether Washington is truly working again. Despite media narratives that portrayed Republicans as “terrorists” and “hostage-takers,” Speaker McCarthy was able to strike a deal with President Biden ahead of schedule that passed both chambers of Congress with…
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The Need for Reform in SNAP: Addressing Fraud and Abuse
The Biden administration and GOP recently reached a debt deal that made adjustments to work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), but did not cut its spending. However, cuts are necessary as SNAP expenditures have skyrocketed from $63 billion in 2019 to an estimated $145 billion in 2023. Congress will have another opportunity…
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Is Washington Finally Working Again? A Look at the Recent Debt-Ceiling Negotiations
Following the recent debt-ceiling negotiations, which resulted in a bipartisan compromise and averted a default, many are wondering if Washington is finally working again. Despite media portrayals of Republicans as “terrorists” and “hostage-takers,” Speaker McCarthy was able to strike a deal with President Biden that passed both chambers of Congress with a comfortable majority. However,…
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The Latest Round of Inflation is Functionally Solved: What You Need to Know
The latest round of inflation is functionally solved and barring any exogenous shock to the economy, it should be fully resolved in about two months. This is not a prophecy, but rather an observation that is widely misunderstood. The headline CPI data, which is the main reported figure, is only catching up with the reality.…
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Iowa’s Limited-Government-Policy Victories
Iowa is known for its first-in-the-nation caucuses during election season, but it has not been recognized for its policies. However, after Republicans gained control of Iowa’s house, senate, and governor’s mansion in 2016, the state has been passing strong conservative reforms. Other states should take notice of Iowa’s limited-government-policy victories. Iowa has passed headline-grabbing legislation…