Daily Policy Digest

Thursday, February 9, 2012

• "Buffett Rule" Will Make Top Dividend Rate Highest in OECD

  The Buffet Rule would raise the highest dividend income tax rate from the current level of 52.1 percent to 62.1 percent; this would give the United States the highest rate among all OECD countries...

• Costs and Consequences: America's Misguided Energy Policies

  The Obama administration recognizes that the only way renewable energy can be allowed to compete with less expensive fossil fuels is by making oil and natural gas more expensive to develop...

• Hospitals Overpay for Devices

  Medicare spent $19.8 billion on procedures involving implantable devices in 2009, up from $16.1 billion in 2004...

• Britain's High Taxes

  An increased tax rate on airline travel in Britain would push the cost of a single ticket up by at least $95...

• Congressional Earmarks Used to Fund Projects Near Lawmakers' Properties

  Thirty-three members of Congress have directed more than $300 million in earmarks and other spending provisions to dozens of public projects that are next to or within about two miles of the lawmakers' own property...