Monthly Archives: August 2012

  • money

    An Expensive Year for Government

    Ben Wilterdink | August 22, 2012 | Add a comment

    The Cost of Government Center (CGC) is part of the Americans for Tax Reform Foundation, a non-profit group that promotes flatter, simpler and lower taxes across the US. CGC releases an annual report that examines the widespread cost of government, both national and local. The Cost of Government Day is … »

  • hospital

    5th Circuit Upholds PPACA’s Limits on Physician-Owned Hospitals

    Sean Riley | August 21, 2012 | Add a comment

    Last Thursday, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a  lawsuit challenging provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) that effectively limit expansion of physician-owned hospitals. The challenge, filed by plaintiffs Physician Hospitals of America and the Texas Spine & Joint Hospital against HHS Secretary Sebelius, alleged … »

  • Unfunded pension liability worse than expected

    Fara Klein | August 20, 2012 | Add a comment

    The issue of state pension sustainability has been a cause of major concern ever since the 2008 recession took a severe toll on pension investment portfolios. State Budget Solutions, a non-partisan group that promotes sustainable budget practices, recently gave more evidence in support of state pension reform. Their study revealed … »

  • apps

    Mobile Apps are Niche Sector of the Telecommunications Industry

    Andrew Butler | August 17, 2012 | Add a comment

    Statistics from a litany of sources demonstrate one clear takeaway: app use is skyrocketing. Facilitated by increasing numbers of smartphone users, apps are downloaded from proprietary online markets and provide dynamic services for consumers. Some 40 billion apps have been downloaded in the Apple and Android ecosystems respectively. According to … »

  • Budget_toolkit-1

    A False Choice in Illinois

    Andrew Bender | August 16, 2012 | Add a comment

    This Friday, the Illinois General Assembly will convene a one-day special session to address the state’s overwhelming pension liability.  Illinois faces a pension funding crisis of at least $83 billion by conservative estimates, and that number increases by $12.6 million per day according to the governor’s budget office.  The nonpartisan … »

  • State Building

    Rep. Linda Upmeyer on What ALEC Means

    ALEC Blog Team | August 6, 2012 | Add a comment

    ALEC’s Second Vice Chair Rep. Linda Upmeyer (IA) writes what ALEC means, and why it is good. Click here for entire article in The Gazette. “I chose to be a member of ALEC because it supports pro-growth policies that spur local and national competitiveness. I am an ALEC member because I … »