The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seems to be taking a fast and furious ride through America’s pockets lately. The FCC, under the helm of Chairman Tom Wheeler, announced plans to expand the Lifeline program to give away broadband Internet subsidies to low-income individuals. What this means for the average consumer is an increase in their telephone bills, by requiring the payment of higher contributions to the Universal Service Fund (USF).
Trump Releases His Healthcare Plan
Presidential candidate Donald Trump has been vague and contradictory about the kind of healthcare reform plan he would offer to replace Obamacare. He has previously talked about having a government-run system, a mandate to purchase health insurance, “getting rid of the lines around the states,” allowing the government to “negotiate” drug prices, or preventing people from “dying on the streets.”
America’s Vets Still Underserved By Sclerotic VA…and Now the VA’s Watchdog!
It has been almost two years since the scandal over wait times for vets trying to get into see medical personnel at VA facilities first erupted and America’s Iraq and Afghan vets are still on the losing end of a sclerotic, mismanaged, and secretive VA bureaucracy. We can now add obstructionist to that list of adjectives.
Broadband Fiction versus Fact
Every year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is required to report to Congress the progress being made in deploying advanced communications services in the U.S. On January 29, 2016, the FCC released its latest review of broadband deployment in the U.S.
Breaking the Law – Again
Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare, was signed into law on March 2010, the Obama administration has changed the law 43 times without Congressional approval. The Galen Institute has been keeping track of these administrative changes, which you can find here. Apparently another illegal administrative action, which will cost the U.S.
AllVid Not All It’s Cracked Up To Be
After imposing antiquated Title II regulations on the Internet, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is trying to take the next step in regulating every aspect of telecommunications. Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler wants to mandate technical standards for set-top boxes that will ultimately hurt consumers by stifling innovation that is already moving towards eliminating the need for these boxes entirely. Just as technology is being developed to send the set-top box the way of the dodo, the chairman and his supporters at the FCC are acting like a bunch of dodos and trying to keep them in homes across the country.
Rethinking the War on Poverty
Last month, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) convened a summit of top conservative thinkers and presidential candidates to showcase free-market alternatives to fighting poverty in the United States. The Kemp Forum on Expanding Opportunity was named in honor of Speaker Ryan’s political mentor, New York congressman, HUD secretary, and Vice-Presidential candidate, Jack Kemp. Most of the media coverage marveled at how “wonky” and “low-octane” the event was, compared to the clamor of the 2016 race for the White House. The underlying message throughout the long policy discussions was that addressing poverty deserves a new approach.
Flying High(er): Much-Needed Aviation Infrastructure Reform on the Horizon
Thanks to some thoughtful leadership on Capitol Hill, the skies could soon get a little friendlier for the travelling public and taxpayers, if innovations envisioned for the aviation industry come to fruition as the result of legislation being considered over the next several weeks. On February 3, 2016, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) introduced H.R. 4441, the Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization (AIRR) Act. The current authorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expires on March 31.
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For: USPS Vehicle Procurement
In 1987, U2 released “The Joshua Tree,” which included the popular single, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” A gallon of gas cost 87 cents, Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime Minister for the third time, and “Good Morning, Vietnam” was showing in theatres that year. It was also the last year that the United States Postal Service (USPS) purchased vehicles, which were supposed to “last a lifetime.” However, much like neon-colored suits and shoulder pads in women’s blazers, those vehicles, known as Grumman Long Life Vehicles (LLVs), have outlived their usefulness and their style.
Spring Cleaning at the Federal Government
Like many people who have overstuffed closets, cupboards, and garages filled with items they don’t remember buying, never needed, and never used, the federal government has a large inventory of useless things in storage that it didn’t need and doesn’t use. As home organizers often recommend, sorting in boxes is usually helpful – a box to keep, a box to discard, a box to fix, and a box to donate. While the government can’t exactly sort its enormous inventory into boxes, it can and should keep better track of the inventory it has purchased, as well as how these items are used.