Abstract: Previous public–private pay comparisons at the state and local levels, including numerous reports published by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), significantly undercount public-sector pension benefits, omit retiree health coverage, and ignore job security. Using California as an example, an analysis by economists Andrew… Read more
Abstract: While it is clear that federal workers’ wages and benefits are above market levels, it is less clear whether state and local employees are similarly overpaid. In the past year, several organizations have published studies arguing that state and local workers are underpaid. But these studies undercount… Read more
Abstract: Unions have been a familiar part of American working life for more than 70 years. Less familiar is the state of the union movement today: More union members now work for the government than for private employers. The above-market salaries and benefits that… Read more
Ernest Istook discusses a California ballot measure to legalize marijuana. … Read more
Brian Darling discusses the California ballot measure that would legalize recreational marijuana use in that state. … Read more
OPINION/ANALYSIS: President Obama spent 2009 engaged in an unprecedented first-year spending spree. Now he is apparently planning to spend his second year creating the illusion of fiscal responsibility. On the campaign trail, then-candidate Mr. Obama… Read more
Abstract: Conventional wisdom holds that offshore oil and gas production harms the surrounding environment. This blanket "wisdom" ignores the fact that the largest source of marine hydrocarbon pollution is offshore natural oil seepage. It also ignores the fact that offshore oil production has lowered… Read more
The increasing tendency since 9/11 to look to Washington for every answer regarding disaster response is troubling. The insistence that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) play an ever-expanding role in addressing day-to-day emergency responses is hindering, not strengthening, the agency's ability to prepare for the next national catastrophic disaster.… Read more
Delivered July 30, 2007 immigration has become the most controversial, complex, and sensitive subject we face today. It directly affects our economy, our culture, and our future. To ensure that any action we take on immigration policy is in our national interest, we need to approach the subject with reason and facts.… Read more
Pork producers are speaking out against legislation that would give federal regulators the authority to mandate cage...… Read more
Two well-connected government unions in California are teaming with Gov. Jerry Brown to support a multibillion-dollar...… Read more
Last week, the independent California High-Speed Rail Peer Review Group recommended that the state legislature not...… Read more
A new poll shows that in one of the most liberal of states--California--charter schools are impressing voters by a wide...… Read more
[caption id="attachment_81326" align="alignnone" width="640" caption="California Governor Jerry Brown...… Read more
President Obama is touting his new mega tax on millionaires--a.k.a. "the Buffett Rule"--as the best thing since sliced...… Read more
Last week, California passed a law that penalizes organizations that refuse to provide benefits to employees’ same-sex...… Read more
One day after solar company Solyndra closed its doors, two U.S. congressman are asking the White House for all documents...… Read more
First we showed you the photos, now there's a video. Missing in both is the golf course that Rep. Darrell Issa's...… Read more
Planned Parenthood Federation of America has gotten itself into a bunch of trouble this year. It all started with the a...… Read more