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Proposition 82: Two views on preschool funding
Education Op-Ed
By: Lance T. Izumi, J.D.
5.31.2006
As Californians make up their minds about Proposition 82, Rob Reiner’s government-run universal preschool initiative, they will no doubt have memories of the cuddly toddlers and sweet teachers who appeared in countless pro-82 ads. They may also remember the incredible claims made about the benefits of universal preschool. However, they should realize that these images and claims are built not on facts, but on a series of myths.
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Preventing a 'litigation lottery'
Houston Chronicle
By: Lawrence J. McQuillan, Ph.D
5.29.2006
THE Chronicle's editorial "Going to extremes" took Texas to task for being ranked first place in a national study and argued that Texas' sterling record on tort reform harms consumers. But quite the opposite is true. Personal injury lawyers have turned many state civil justice systems into litigation lotteries that raise prices, hurt employers, cost jobs and drive away investment capital.
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No extremes on tort reform
PRI in the News
By: Hugh Rice Kelly
5.29.2006
THE Chronicle's May 22 editorial "Going to extremes" misstated the facts of medical malpractice reform in Texas. A correction published on May 24 got it wrong again.
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Another chance at judicial reform
By: Bruce Davidson
5.28.2006
The long-stalled effort to reform Texas' system of selecting judges may gain new momentum before the start of the next legislative session.
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Will Congress Serve up 'Hillary Net?'
Technology Op-Ed
5.26.2006
At least six bills before Congress deal with an issue that leaves many confused and involves a lot of money, constant spin doctoring, and now Hillary Clinton. No, we're not talking about HillaryCare redux or Whitewater, but "Net neutrality," a concept being used to trick Americans into accepting regulation of the Internet
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Internet access isn't 'threatened'
Technology Op-Ed
By: Vince Vasquez
5.26.2006
If the loss of "net neutrality" was really a problem, guest columnist Dick Johnson ("Proposed COPE bill threatens free access to Internet," May 15) wouldn't need to scare readers about it. It is unlikely that Internet service providers would ever block Web sites.
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Researcher Gives Google a Thumbs Down on Impartiality
PRI in the News
By: Chad Groening
5.25.2006
A public-policy think tank is calling search engine giant Google to task for removing news organizations from "Google News" that have been critical of radical Islam. An official with the organization suggests the popular Internet website is practicing censorship and exercising a double-standard.
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Lax standards for feds in data breach vote
PRI in the News
By: Declan McCullagh
5.25.2006
Days after a massive data leak potentially affecting more than 26 million American veterans became public, a U.S. House of Representatives committee approved a bill requiring written notice of information security breaches.
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Calif. Universal Preschool Proposition Has Big Cost, National Implications
PRI in the News
By: Dan Lips
5.24.2006
On June 6, Californians will go to the polls to consider a new ballot initiative -- Universal Preschool for All -- that could have implications for taxpayers, families, and 4-year-olds across the nation. Backers claim that universal preschool will improve public education in America. Much research suggests otherwise
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Opinions and Editorials
PRI in the News
By: Dr. Ray Perryman
5.24.2006
The juke box favorite of the 1940s, "Accentuate the Positive," might well be considered as a new theme song for the Lone Star State.
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The Lawyers Killing N.Y.
Business and Economics Op-Ed
By: Lawrence J. McQuillan, Ph.D
5.24.2006
WHY is the National Organization for Women angry with Speaker Sheldon Silver's bill to remove New York's statute of limitations in rape cases? Because the Assembly's leader also inserted a poison pill to please his fellow tort attorneys.
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Don't Be Very Worried
PRI in the News
By: Pete Du Pont
5.23.2006
The truth about "global warming" is much less dire than Al Gore wants you to think.
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Trial Lawyers Are Down Now; Let's Hit Them Again
PRI in the News
By: Kevin Hassett
5.22.2006
Last week, law firm Milberg Weiss Bershad & Schulman and two of its senior partners were indicted by a federal grand jury for paying illegal kickbacks to plaintiffs. Milberg Weiss, which reportedly has won more than $45 billion for its clients, strenuously denied any wrongdoing, but analysts quoted in news reports said the indictment is tough news for America's most famous and successful plaintiffs' firm.
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Welcome dose of moderation
PRI in the News
By: Jerry Keen
5.22.2006
It took a decade of legislative proposals, intense lobbying and a change in political power at the state Capitol, but we finally adopted comprehensive civil justice reform at the General Assembly last year, and the results are starting to pay off.
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The generosity of lobbyists helps kill tort
PRI in the News
By: Paul Carpenter
5.21.2006
There is no shortage of phony front groups in the fight over tort reforms, which are measures taken in some states (but rarely in Pennsylvania) to place reasonable limits and controls on lawsuits.
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Going to extremes
Houston Chronicle News Clipping
5.21.2006
IF Texans needed any evidence that the tort reform drive in the state has gone too far, they need only look at a study conducted by a pro-business think tank, the Pacific Research Institute.
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Good riddance to 'law west of the Pecos'
PRI in the News
By: David Hendricks
5.20.2006
Texas, once considered the Wild West lawsuit capital of the world, now claims a reputation as the fairest state in the nation when it comes to balancing the right to seek justice against the need to keep legal costs sensible.
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Dopy Internet Legislation Hurts Kids
Technology Op-Ed
5.19.2006
Social networking Web sites like MySpace , Friendster and Facebook are becoming increasingly popular with the nation's youth, prompting attempts to control the medium. However, though protecting children is the goal, the outcome is too often the opposite.
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Is it a Massachusetts 'miracle'?
Working for Change News Clipping
By: Bill Berkowitz
5.18.2006
A few weeks back, UC Berkeley's Nicholas C. Petris Center on Healthcare Markets and Consumer Welfare (named after the former California state senator whose legislative career was marked by his deep concern with California's health care issues) sponsored a seminar on health care. One panel examined the current status of California's Proposition 63 -- the State's 2004 mental health initiative funded through a tax on millionaires.
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No Internet problem
Technology Op-Ed
By: Vince Vasquez
5.17.2006
Pingree should realize the absurdity of advocating more red tape to keep the Internet free.
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Study finds Texas best in tort reform
PRI in the News
By: Elizabeth Pierson
5.16.2006
Gov. Rick Perry and those who championed legislation in 2003 that placed limits on the amount of money juries can award plaintiffs said a study released Monday shows they improved the economy and Texans’ access to health care.
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New Report Ranks Texas Civil Justice System No. 1
Texas Lawyer News Clipping
By: Mary Alice Robbins
5.15.2006
Gov. Rick Perry, flanked by lawmakers and tort reform leaders at a May 15 news conference in the state Capitol, touted a new national study that ranks Texas' civil justice system as No. 1 in the nation as a result of reforms enacted in 2003 and 2005.
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One front group has amusing ideas about another
Allentown Morning Call (PA) News Clipping
By: Paul Carpenter
5.14.2006
Who says that ambulance-chasing lawyers don't have a great sense of humor? In a press release on Thursday, they attacked a study released earlier that same day, because it came from what they called a ''corporate front group.'' The 91-page study had a ''tort liability index'' on how well the various states keep bogus lawsuits under control.
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Report ranks Oklahoma tort system 38th in nation.
The Journal Record (Tulsa OK) News Clipping
By: Marie Price
5.12.2006
A study by Pacific Research Institute ranks Oklahoma's tort system 38th among the states. Dick Rush, president and CEO of The State Chamber, termed the ranking a "wake-up call" for Oklahoma.
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New Stars in Cable Freedom Fight
Technology Op-Ed
5.12.2006
Getting cheaper and better cable services to consumers has been difficult because the laws governing the sector have proved tough to change. This week, officials in two states announced key decisions that may significantly change the terms of the debate. Both announcements involve cable franchise reform.
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Massachusetts health law will fail in California, too
Health Care Op-Ed
By: Diana M. Ernst
5.11.2006
Last month, Massachusetts passed a law requiring residents of the Bay State to have health insurance. California Assemblyman Joe Nation has proposed a similar bill, AB 1950, which has passed the Health Committee.
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Today's Events in Washington
The Frontrunner News Clipping
5.11.2006
PRI's U.S. Tort Liability Index: 2006 Report was featured in Washington, D.C.'s political roster of events.
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Today's Events In Washington
PRI in the News
5.11.2006
The Pacific Research Institute (PRI) holds a press briefing to release the ``U.S. Tort Liability Index: 2006 Report,'' revealing serious implications for state economies. Briferes are John Engler, National Association of Manufacturers, and Michigan's 46th governor; and Dr. Lawrence J. McQuillan, co-author, "U.S. Tort Liability Index: 2006 Report,'' and director of business and economic studies, PRI. Location: National Press Club, Holeman Lounge.
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Lobbying to Oppose Network Neutrality
PRI in the News
5.10.2006
A coalition of groups on Tuesday voiced concerns about language on "network neutrality" in a pending House telecommunications bill. Network neutrality describes the push to prevent dominant telephone and cable firms from charging extra for some high-speed Internet services.
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Greens of the world, unite!
PRI in the News
By: Kevin Steel
5.8.2006
With Kyoto failing, Maurice Strong, the father of the accord, says it's time for an all-out environmental revolution
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Bird flu vaccine hurdles
The Washington Times Op-Ed
By: Steven B. Hantler
5.8.2006
A bird flu pandemic that hits the United States could trigger 40 percent absenteeism rates among the U.S. workforce and kill 2 million Americans, according to a just-released White House report. The Bush administration has asked Congress for $2.3 billion this year to fund the next phase of its pandemic preparedness effort, including a plan to create the domestic capacity to produce and stockpile pandemic vaccine. Will it be enough?
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If you're fat, it really is your own fault
Health Care Op-Ed
By: Diana M. Ernst
5.7.2006
If current obesity trends continue, every American will be overweight or obese by 2040. That is the prediction of John Foreyt, director of the Behavioral Medicine Research Center at Baylor College.
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Shadegg Bill Promotes Healthy Competition
Health Care Op-Ed
By: Sally C. Pipes
5.5.2006
Mitt Romney, the Republican governor of Massachusetts, is the current toast of the establishment press and pundits, having taken on health care, added more government and required that people purchase insurance. Free-market Republicans, however, should look west for health care solutions proposed by Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz
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Earth's future optimistic
Environment Op-Ed
By: Sally C. Pipes
5.5.2006
As president and CEO of Pacific Research Institute, I found that the April 22 story, "Earth Day founder remains active," painted a rather pessimistic view of environmental trends. In fact, air quality has improved in cities across the United States.
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Net Diversity Threatened by Neutrality Advocates
Technology Op-Ed
5.5.2006
There's a policy issue before Congress so pressing that even Hollywood actors like former "Charmed" star Alyssa Milano are blogging about it. It's called "Net neutrality," and its purpose is to control what network owners can charge for their services. Such a plan would harm consumers and crush diversity on the Internet.
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Earth's future optimistic
Environment Op-Ed
By: Sally C. Pipes
5.5.2006
As president and CEO of Pacific Research Institute, I found that the April 22 story, "Earth Day founder remains active," painted a rather pessimistic view of environmental trends. In fact, air quality has improved in cities across the United States.
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Massachusetts Plan Denounced as Imminent 'Disaster'
PRI in the News
By: Karla Dial
5.1.2006
The May 2006 issue of Health Care News features an exclusive report on the reaction of free-market health care advocates to Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's plan for "near-universal" health insurance coverage.
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Cover Charge ...
Health Care Op-Ed
By: John R. Graham
5.1.2006
Your recent editorial on universal health care skirts some key realities ("Moral Imperative," March 20 & 27). The health systems in France and Japan are very different.
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