Publications -- Brief Analysis

Restricted to two letter-size pages, a Brief Analysis summarizes some aspect or aspects of a public policy issue, presenting points for consideration in policy debates or responding to points that have been raised during these debates.

Feb 18, 2008

BA #609 – Climate Change Forecasters on the Hot Seat

More than 20 years ago, climate scientists began to sound the alarm over the possibility that global temperatures were rising due to human activities, such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels.  In 1988, the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Program created the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in order to study and better understand this potential threat. 

Feb 06, 2008

BA #608 – Welfare Reform in Indiana

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has signed an agreement to outsource the administration of health, welfare and nutrition programs to a consortium led by the IBM Corporation and Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. Under the 10-year contract, these companies will receive and process applications for benefits received by one in six Indiana residents and provide technological support to the state's Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA).

Jan 30, 2008

BA #607 – Geoengineering: A Global Warming Fix?

Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), a potent greenhouse gas, helps warm the climate. Absent water vapor, CO 2 and other natural greenhouse gases that trap a portion of the sun's radiation, the Earth would be about 60ºF colder than it is now — an icebox.

Jan 21, 2008

BA #606 – Tax Code Became More Progressive after the Bush Tax Cuts

Critics complain that the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts gave the greatest tax relief to the wealthiest taxpayers. However, every major tax bill over the past 15 years — both Republican and Democrat — has increased the progressivity of the federal income tax system.

Jan 18, 2008

BA #605 – Economic Freedom and Economic Growth in Mexico

Over the last 25 years, the wage gap between Mexico and the United States has grown progressively wider, making U.S. jobs increasingly attractive. This is a major reason for the increasing influx of immigrants from Mexico to the United States.

Nov 20, 2007

BA #604 – Wealthier Is Healthier: A Better Way to Aid Africa

It is increasingly clear that economic freedom, good governance and rule of law are key drivers in promoting economic growth and reducing poverty.  In Sub-Saharan Africa, unfortunately, economic freedom and growth have trailed the rest of the world.  One result is that the health of Sub-Saharan Africans is among the worst in the world.  According to the World Economic Forum, a child born in Niger is 40 times more likely to die before her fifth birthday than a child born in the United Kingdom. 

Nov 15, 2007

BA #603 – Increasing America’s Domestic Fuel Supply by Building New Oil Refineries

Rising oil and gasoline prices have many causes that are beyond the control of the U.S. government.  However, government policies have contributed to higher prices by reducing domestic refining capacity, which has limited the supply of gasoline.  No new oil refineries have been built in the United States for almost 30 years, and many refineries have closed.

Nov 12, 2007

BA #602 – School Choice and Hispanic Dropouts

In 2005, more than one-fifth (22.4 percent) of Hispanics 16 through 24 years of age were dropouts, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).  This means they were not enrolled in school, and had not graduated from high school or passed General Educational Development (GED) tests. 

Nov 05, 2007

BA #601 – Texas Charters, Choice and Performance

Texas is at the forefront of a blossoming nationwide charter school movement. Although charter schools are publicly funded, they are free of some of the regulations that burden public schools and are managed independently.  Charter schools are subject to the state's accountability system, including the annual Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS).

Oct 29, 2007

BA #600 – The Coming Tax Tsunami

Over the next 25 years American taxpayers will face a fiscal tsunami.  The first of the baby boomers will be eligible for early retirement beginning next year, and will be eligible for Medicare in 2011.  The last of the Baby Boom generation, born in 1964, will reach normal retirement age (67 years) in 2031.  Most baby boomers are approaching their peak earning years when they have the greatest capacity to save for retirement.