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.
Solar Wars: The Revenge of the Subsidies
Those who have followed the solar energy debate may be the only ones aware of “net metering.” For everyone else, it is worth understanding what it means and how it works.
Status Quo for Obama’s Last Budget
The record-setting $4 trillion budget proposed by President Obama for fiscal year (FY) 2017, released on February 9, 2016 contains the usual suspect spending suggestions that he has made for the past seven years, along with a list of proposed cuts.
Obamacare’s Cerberus
In March 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare, was signed into law. The debate over controversial Obamacare initiatives is ongoing, particularly whether the law will lead to rationing and price-controls that are seen in single-payer or government-run healthcare systems.
2016 IP Index Offers “Infinite Possibilities”
On February 10, 2016, the U.S Chamber of Commerce released its fourth annual IP index, Infinite Possibilities, which reviews and rates intellectual property (IP) rights and protections around the world.
A Twentieth Anniversary Not Worth Celebrating
In 1996, Bill Clinton resided in the White House; science produced the first cloned mammal, a sheep named Dolly; folks were dancing the Macarena; and the Simpsons became the longest running prime-time animated series. Unfortunately, not all twenty year flashbacks are as much fun because in 1996, cell phones were the size of a brick and performed two functions — calling people and text messaging; the Internet was merely a blip on the radar; and, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was enacted.
Rogue “Drug” Companies Face Congress
On Thursday, February 4, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing entitled, “Developments in the Prescription Drug Market.”