|
Governor appoints CTA VP who lead fight against him - then the union boss sticks it in the Gov's eye
PRI in the News
By: Jon Fleischman
3.31.2006
Certainly the most intriguing news in California politics surrounds Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's reappointment of Joe Nuñez to the State Board of Education earlier this week. You see, Nuñez is a State VP with the California Teachers Association -- and according to the CTA's President Barbara Kerr, Nuñez is actually in charge of their union's legislative and political activities. Yes, this would include the massive assault on Governor Schwarzenegger and his reform agenda on last year's special election ballot. Even better -- Nuñez is actually the Chairman of the Alliance for a Better California, which is the actual front-group formed by the unions to fight the Governor.
Read more
|
|
|
Calif. Estimates of Uninsured Too High: Study
PRI in the News
By: Michael Coulter
3.31.2006
It is often estimated that roughly 20 percent of all Californians--about 7 million people--lacked health insurance at some point in 2004. A report from the Pacific Research Institute, however, contends a more accurate estimate is closer to 9 percent of Californians, just over 3 million residents.
Read more
|
|
|
Medicare Part D "cuts demand" for web drugs
PRI in the News
3.31.2006
A report by a Chicago, USA-based think-tank examines the claim that the introdiction of the Medicare Part D program for retired citizens has reduced demand for imported medicines from Canada "up to 30%."
Read more
|
|
|
Keeping Free Speech Free
Technology Op-Ed
3.31.2006
This week, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) voted to exempt much political communication on the Internet from the provisions of the McCain-Feingold finance law. This action is a partial win on free-speech rights, but bad news on government control of the Internet.
Read more
|
|
|
Fair Share?
Health Care Op-Ed
By: Diana M. Ernst
3.28.2006
The AFL/CIO has developed a bad solution to the crisis of the uninsured in America: the Fair Share for Health Care Act, which requires large businesses to provide health insurance for their employees. The Fair Share Act simply raises the cost of employing people, and hurts individuals who need health care the most. Unfortunately, similar legislation is now pending in other states.
Read more
|
|
|
Where Does The State Rank?
PRI in the News
By: Grant Gulibon, Matthew Brouillette
3.27.2006
As election time draws nearer, Gov. Ed Rendell is issuing a flurry of press releases to convince voters that his administration has improved Pennsylvania's competitiveness and economic growth.
Read more
|
|
|
Wrong Medicare prescription
Health Care Op-Ed
By: Sally C. Pipes
3.26.2006
Re "Medicare's first step," editorial, March 19: Modeling the Medicare prescription drug plan after the Veterans Affairs plan is hardly a "step forward." The VA drug formulary is extremely restricted. Only 19 percent of drugs approved by the FDA since 2000 are listed on the VA formulary. Only 38 percent approved in the 1990s are listed.
Read more
|
|
|
Mon Dieu! Don't MiniTel Apple
Technology Op-Ed
3.24.2006
French legislators approved a bill this week that will force technology companies such as Apple Computer (Nasdaq: AAPL) to share proprietary technology with rivals. Such a move is not only a recipe for disaster but completely unnecessary.
Read more
|
|
|
Preschool Campaign Gets Ethics Issue
Education Op-Ed
By: K. Lloyd Billingsley
3.23.2006
Rob Reiner claims that opponents of Proposition 82, his ballot initiative for universal government-run preschool in California, are making him the issue because they are incapable of arguing against the measure on its merits. In recent days, Reiner has become the issue, but for reasons related to his first political production.
Read more
|
|
|
Friedman, 93, Set To Unleash Power of Choice
PRI in the News
By: Josh Gerstein
3.22.2006
SAN FRANCISCO - At 93, Milton Friedman speaks a bit more haltingly than in past years, but his groundbreaking ideas about the value of free markets are reverberating powerfully around the globe.
Read more
|
|
|
Telephone Tax is Exploiting the Public Trust
Technology Op-Ed
By: Vince Vasquez
3.20.2006
Taxing the Internet to sweep government corruption under the carpet sounds like the next Washington scandal, but some members of Congress seek to do just that. At issue is the Universal Service Fund (USF), a federal technology subsidy that was supposed to ensure affordable telephone service for every American - but has instead facilitated criminal exploitation of the public trust.
Read more
|
|
|
Reiner's plan too pricey, risky
Education Op-Ed
By: Lance T. Izumi, J.D.
3.20.2006
How much preschool is needed to get children ready for kindergarten and subsequent grades? According to actor/director Rob Reiner's Proposition 82, which will appear on the June ballot, the answer is one year of government-run preschool for all 4-year-olds at a cost of $2.4 billion per year. Yet, the fact is that there is a much less expensive, successful five-week preschool program that has already been operating for two years in California.
Read more
|
|
|
Cable Reform Is Almost Here
Technology Op-Ed
3.17.2006
About a month ago, a bi-partisan group of senators released a statement supporting cable franchise reform. Now key members of the House of Representatives appear to agree. At this rate, consumers might actually see national reform that will slash cable bills and make video service more innovative and interesting.
Read more
|
|
|
Preschool-for-all initiative, what 'Meathead' is not telling you, Part I
By: Sharon Hughes
3.14.2006
Actor Rob Reiner, who gained his fame as 'Meathead' on the popular All in the Family sitcom, has successfully taken his liberal television political views to California's government. But he has his eyes on the nation as well. The Washington Post describes his "dual crusade: to change the direction of politics and to improve the performance of kids in schools. He bids, someday, to be the Democrats' answer to Ronald Reagan."
Read more
|
|
|
Look Beyond Reiner's Preschool Plan
Education Op-Ed
By: Lance T. Izumi, J.D.
3.14.2006
Prop. 82, Rob Reiner's June ballot measure for government-run preschool, is an expensive measure that would rake in $2.4 billion per year by raising the state income-tax rate for high earners. Before approving such an expensive system, Californians should consider good alternatives that are more cost-effective.
Read more
|
|
|
A Woman's World?
Business and Economics Op-Ed
By: Sally C. Pipes
3.13.2006
Last month’s election of Michelle Bachelet as president of Chile is being hailed as part of an inexorable march toward a better world run by women. Before popping the champagne, we might wait to see how the women perform in office, particularly in Chile, where the new leader will face challenges.
Read more
|
|
|
Drug price caps a devil's bargain
Health Care Op-Ed
By: Philip J. Romero
3.10.2006
It looks like the new Medicare prescription drug benefit is not going to solve America's prescription drug challenge. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently pleaded with Congress to deal with escalating drug prices, lest more and more states - including California - take matters into their own hands.
Read more
|
|
|
Less Expensive Alternatives to Reiner Preschool Plan
Education Op-Ed
By: Lance T. Izumi, J.D.
3.9.2006
How much preschool is needed to get children ready for kindergarten and subsequent grades? According to Rob Reiner’s Proposition 82, which will appear on the June ballot, the answer is one year of government-run preschool for all four-year-olds at a whopping cost of $2.4 billion per year. Yet a successful but much less expensive five-week preschool program has already been operating for two years in California.
Read more
|
|
|
Proposed parcel tax draws fire
PRI in the News
By: Philip K. Ireland
3.8.2006
CARLSBAD ---- A proposed $50 parcel tax on nearly every California property to raise money for education drew fire Tuesday from taxpayer groups as a frontal assault on Prop. 13 that would open the floodgates to escalating property taxes.
Read more
|
|
|
Kosmix Plays Politics With Search
PRI in the News
By: Seán Captain
3.7.2006
In light of the recent row over Google and Yahoo doing business in China, many people are concerned with the politics of web searching. But one company is turning its attention to the web searching of politics.
Read more
|
|
|
World Premier Screening of “The Power of Choice” A PBS Documentary of Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman
Press Release
3.6.2006
SAN FRANCISCO – Pacific Research Institute (PRI) and Free to Choose Media will host the world premier screening of “The Power of Choice: The Life and Ideas of Milton Friedman,” a PBS television documentary, on Wednesday, March 22 at the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco. Milton and Rose Friedman will be in attendance along with tributes by Gary Becker, Nobel Laureate; William J. Hume, Chairman of Basic American, Inc.; and Peter Thiel, founder and CEO of Paypal.
Read more
|
|
|
No preschool for all
3.5.2006
Gov. Blagojevich is awfully quick to pick taxpayers’ pockets before checking out the real results regarding statewide preschool. He should be checking the facts about statewide programs that already have been instituted.
Read more
|
|
|
Family Hour Plan Backed by Brownback But Not Broadcasters
PRI in the News
By: Jonathan Make
3.3.2006
A family TV hour -- FCC Chmn. Martin's latest decency proposal -- (CD March 2 p2), is drawing mixed reaction. Sen. Brownback (R-Kan.) told us he supports the idea and would like legislation on it. But he said a bill to boost fines more than tenfold for programming judged inappropriate has a better chance than content regulation of passing the Senate. The Senate Commerce Committee plans soon to take up a House bill that would raise maximum fines to $500,000 from $32,500 for each occurrence (CD March 1 p4). Brownback isn't a member of the committee. Broadcasters are wary of Martin's latest salvo on programming decency, said people familiar with the industry who asked not to be identified. NAB and companies including CBS wouldn't comment.
Read more
|
|
|
Canadianizing the Golden State
PRI in the News
By: Ronald Bailey
3.3.2006
A plan to outlaw private health insurance in California has been proposed by state Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Los Angeles). Senator Kuehl's bill, SB840, proposes to create the California Health Insurance Agency, a state government run single payer system for financing the health care of all Californians.
Read more
|
|
|
