Tea Party activists see a return of the “welfare queen” in health benefit exchange “dependency portals” and President Obama’s policy on work rules for welfare.
Justin is his contrarian self on State of the State with John Carlevale.
In almost presidential election cycle, partisans on both sides claim that the public is about to vote “in the most important election of their lifetime.” This time around, it may actually be true. Our own Justin Katz has pieced together some documentation from the Urban Institute and The Center for Law and Social Policy that demonstrate how Rhode […]
Across states and official positions, Republicans opposing ObamaCare have different views on the value of health benefit exchanges.
The Stephen Hopkins Center birthday celebration for Milton Friedman raised questions of justice and virtue.
Re-entry programs for ex-convicts provide a valuable service, but some think they’re compromising public safety, with big dollars flowing in behind.
RI officials acknowledge, but downplay, the intention to link additional government services to the state’s health benefits exchange. But advocates for smaller government see a pattern in federal and state efforts to make various public payments easier to get.
A new study of teenage unemployment, with an eye on public policy such as the minimum wage, suggests that we might be failing young adults.
The full list of RI legislators declining salary increases, Justin suggests, only emphasizes the failure of the General Assembly to address the state’s real problems.
Half-way houses intended to transition prison inmates back into society worry some in local communities.
Rhode Island’s voter ID law provides some protection against one-sided enforcement from the Obama administration of the National Voter Registration Act.
A possible ban of plastic bags in Barrington is one more indication of Rhode Island’s governance problem.
Ramesh Ponnuru characterizes the mandate tax as a deduction, but that neglects the portion of the Supreme Court’s ruling that allows an overall increase.
Two more points from the lieutenant governor’s press conference, yesterday, raise questions about the direction of health care and about what freedom requires.
Lt. Gov. Liz Roberts’s claims that ObamaCare will expand coverage for small-business employees does not address how the law will affect different small businesses.
The claim that recent health care legislation signed into law last week adjusts depending on the Supreme Court’s pending decision on ObamaCare is a bit of an overstatement.
A New York Times mention of Woonsocket’s problems has the state buzzing; Justin suggests that everybody should look a little more deeply into the heart of Rhode Island’s problems.
Reviewing the latest budget in terms of RI’s rankings according to various criteria puts the state’s choice of decline or turnaround in clear terms.
An unspoken assumption of advocates for payday loan reform leads Justin to question the ability and right of government to meddle.
Under the radar, the state government of Rhode Island has gradually been reversing the workforce reduction achieved during Governor Carcieri’s second term.
Still over-tired from the General Assembly’s final night in session, Justin draws some lessons from the experience.
Justin writes live from the final day of the legislative session.
Justin tries to keep an eye out, live, during what may be the second-to-last night of the legislative session. EBEC, casino, budget, campaign finance, and felony dog leashing rules.
Justin sets up camp to write live from the RI House’s discussion of the budget.
Trends in GDP growth for Rhode Island and three other New England states suggest that its general policy approaches during the last decade might be worth reconsidering.
Justin whiles away the evening writing from the State House floor (campaign finance) and House Environment and Natural Resources Committee hearing (EBEC).
Justin writes live from House Finance Committee; House budget.
Dept. of Revenue Director Gallogly comments on pension issues and communities on the brink of state oversight.
Addressing city’s pension shortfall, Woonsocket budget commission faces another $7 million annual deficit, addressing $46 million gap over five years.
Justin writes live from a joint House & Senate Committee Hearing on casino legislation.