Month: April 2010

Worried About Climate Change? Promote Free Markets!

by Todd Wynn

Every day more and more Americans are growing skeptical of the climate change doomsday claims and plans to ration energy through cap-and-trade type proposals. Despite this, many environmentalists still claim that far-reaching government intervention is needed to achieve greater energy efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions to reduce the threat of global warming. Although there has been no statistically significant global warming since at least 1995, the same groups often claim economic growth and lack of comprehensive environmental regulations have created a society that wastes energy and pays no regard to greenhouse gas emissions. But what if less energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions are a byproduct of limited government and economic freedom? What if environmentalists’ goals can be reached by freer markets and prosperity? Recent Cascade Policy Institute research shows that very phenomenon.

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by Steve Buckstein

The Downside of Measure 68

At first glance, Measure 68 on this year’s Oregon Primary election ballot seems harmless enough. It would allow school districts to borrow money for capital improvements, including “land and other assets associated with acquisition, construction, improvement, remodeling, maintenance and repair.” The measure also would allow the state to borrow money and to match bonds approved by local voters.

Southern Oregon Senator Doug Whitsett worries that Measure 68 will enable the state, in effect, to max out its credit card more easily than it can now. With the state facing huge financial pressures in the next biennium, he is concerned that we may be “…one little disaster away from not having any credit rating at all.”

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Come enjoy some free food and drinks with your favorite Cascadians! We’re having an Open House May 14th, 2010 from 4pm – 7pm at our office (4850 SW Scholls Ferry Rd, Suite 103, Portland, Oregon 97225). Call 503.242.0900 to RSVP today!

If that video didn’t convince you to go, this one will…

Florida Steps Up Their School Choice Scholarship Program

By Kathryn Hickok

On April 9 the Florida legislature passed a major expansion of one of the nation’s prominent school choice programs, Step Up for Students. This program provides scholarships to Florida children from low-income families to attend a private school or an out-of-district public school, whether or not their local public school is judged by the government to be “succeeding” or “failing.” (more…)

Tea Party Unfunded Liabilities from Cascade Policy on Vimeo.

by Karla Kay Edwards

Click here for a printable version of this QuickPoint!

Statewide Open Houses Promote a Water Future for Oregon

Water is an economic driver in all communities. Taking a hard look at Oregon’s water resources and today’s economic, social and ecological demands is important. Most surface waters are fully allocated in the summertime. In many areas groundwater basins face diminishing supplies.

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Economic Freedom: A No Regrets Strategy for Reducing Global Energy Consumption

A new report from Todd Wynn of Cascade Policy Institute

Summary:

This empirical study exposes a relationship between greenhouse gas intensity, energy intensity and economic freedom. The level of a country’s economic freedom is a statistically significant and negative determinant of both energy intensity and greenhouse gas intensity. Countries with higher levels of economic freedom not only have more energy efficient and less carbon intensive economies, but over time these countries continue to decrease the amount of energy used and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of production. The merits of free markets and economic prosperity should not be overlooked as a potential method for reducing carbon emissions.

Download the Full Report

Todd talks about the report:

Now that ObamaCare is the law of the land, it’s not surprising that attention is turning to the supreme law of the land, the U.S. Constitution, in an attempt to derail it in the courts. So far, it appears that seventeen states will join forces in a single suit against the federal government. Virginia is filing its own suit, based on the newly signed Virginia Health Care Freedom Act that protects its citizens from being forced to purchase health insurance or to participate in any health care system against their will.

The lawsuit’s main legal claim is that Congress does not have authority to require citizens to purchase a service they would not have purchased voluntarily, namely, health insurance.

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John Charles gives testimony before the TriMet council addressing ridership, routes, and ballooning fringe benefits.

You can download a copy of his testimony here.

As April 15 approaches and thousands of tea party activists are planning events around the country, The Heartland Institute has produced a stunning and inspiring three-minute video.

Chicago Democrat Leads Charge to Help 22,000 Kids Get a Better Education

By Kathryn Hickok

Last month the Illinois state Senate passed a new school voucher program to help students struggling in Chicago’s lowest-performing public elementary schools. The bill now must be considered by the Illinois House of Representatives.

Democrat Senator and “outspoken advocate of public education” James Meeks sponsored the voucher legislation. “By passing this bill, we’ll give 22,000 kids an opportunity to have a choice on whether or not they’ll continue in their failing school or go to another non-public school within the city of Chicago,” said Sen. Meeks.

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