Publications -- Federal Spending

May 07, 1999

BA #290 – Why Not Abolish the Community Reinvestment Act?

Before a bank can merge with another bank - or even open a new branch - it must get permission from federal regulators. And in giving that permission, regulators are obliged by the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (CRA), to consider whether the lender has served the entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.

Apr 20, 1999

BA #289 – Administering Private Social Security Accounts

As an alternative to the current pay-as-you-go Social Security system, many reform plans would allow individuals to invest a portion of their payroll tax dollars in private investment accounts. Critics claim the costs of administering such accounts would be as high as 20 percent. Is this criticism valid?

Apr 19, 1999

BA #288 – A Prescription for Medicare Disaster

Suppose you're just turning 65 and you want to make sure that you have prescription drug coverage in addition to Medicare. You have four possibilities...

Mar 22, 1999

BA #286 – Should the Federal Government Invest Social Security Trust Funds?

In his State of the Union address, President Clinton proposed that "we commit 60 percent of the budget surplus for the next 15 years to Social Security, investing a small portion in the private sector just as any private or state government pension would do."

Sep 23, 1998

BA #280 – Foreign Dollar Holdings and the U.S. Money Supply

One of the most important of all economic indicators is the money supply. Most economists believe that it plays a major role in the level of interest rates, inflation and real growth in the economy. The Federal Reserve controls the money supply through various policy instruments.

Sep 04, 1998

BA #279 – The Private School Voucher Movement

While the issue of using tax-funded vouchers to provide school choice is being debated and contested in the courts, an increasing number of privately funded voucher programs across the nation are making it possible for children from low-income families to attend private elementary and secondary schools.

Jul 13, 1998

BA #274 – Putting Drivers in the Driver's Seat

Auto Choice, a proposed structural reform of the country's fraud-ridden $150 billion per year auto tort system, is quietly gaining broad bipartisan endorsement. Its supporters already include Democratic Sens. Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York and Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas and House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas).

Jul 10, 1998

BA #272 – Are School Vouchers Constitutional?

Many legislators who vote for sweeping government programs without a second thought about their constitutionality suddenly grow concerned when the issue is school vouchers. The moment a dollar of public funds crosses the threshold of a religious school, they contend, it violates "separation of church and state."

Jun 16, 1998

BA #271 – Patient Protection Accounts: Personal, Portable and Affordable

Although tax law generously subsidizes the employer payment of third-party health insurance premiums, it provides virtually no tax relief to those who pay medical bills directly. Thus the tax law encourages people to turn over all of their health care dollars to a third party. The results have not all been positive.

Jun 09, 1998

BA #270 – Don't Raise the Minimum Wage - The Bar Is Already Too High

There are two ways to think about the minimum wage. The first - but misleading - is how much workers are going to get paid. The second - and correct - is how much people must be able to earn if they are going to get or keep a job. So the minimum wage, which is sometimes characterized as a "hand up, not a handout" is neither - it is a hurdle that trips up the least skilled.