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Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf’s Calls for Progress with “a Push”
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s Budget Address contained a strong undercurrent of authoritarianism. Progress, as defined by the governor’s dictionary, can sometimes “require a push.” Agenda items within the speech reveal…
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Is It Time to End “Smart Cities?”
For years, the talk of the future of connected communities has been centered in “smart cities.” Cloud services, broadband access, the Internet of Things, smart meters, parking apps, smart street…
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Kansas State of the State: Gov. Brownback Resists Tax Hikes, Calls for Constitutional Amendment on Ed Financing
The governor’s rejection of a tax increase is welcomed news for taxpayers. Just last year, legislators overrode his veto in order to enact an enormous tax increase of $1.2 billion over the next two years alone. This tax hike on individuals and businesses wiped out much of the tax reductions from the 2012 reforms. Avoiding a new tax increase, pushing for a voter-approved constitutional amendment on school financing, and demanding educational reforms will help avoid compounding the damage from last year’s tax hikes.
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State of the State: Texas
Republicans and Democrats in the Lone Star State surely can celebrate Texas’ resilience. Governor Greg Abbott began his State of the State address acknowledging the economic toll of falling…
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State of the State: Hawaii
One of the highest personal income tax rates in the nation and the highest sales tax burden in the nation, and forced unionization all contribute to Hawaii’s 42nd place economic outlook ranking according to ALEC’s annual Rich States, Poor States publication.
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State of the State: New York
Governor Cuomo’s discussion of important issues such as tax relief certainly is encouraging. However, picking winners and losers with taxpayer dollars and increasing spending will not help New York’s economy to thrive. Instead, legislators should focus on a continued reduction of the state’s burdensome corporate and personal income taxes. An unshackling of the ingenuity and dreams of New Yorkers will fuel a better life for all.
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State of the State: Maryland
"It is encouraging that Governor Hogan is looking for ways to reduce tax burdens on hard-working taxpayers, which is a welcome departure from tax-happy past administrations that even taxed rain."
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A-Plus Literacy Act
Chapters of the A-Plus Literacy Act (1) School and District Report Cards and Grades. (2) School Recognition Program to financially reward schools for good/improving Report Card…
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ALEC CEO Lisa B. Nelson Profiled on IWF: Under New Leadership, ALEC Poised for Growth
This originally appeared on IWF.org on March 24, 2015. On the day that President Obama delivered his most recent State of the Union address, Lisa…
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Special Williams Report: Bob’s Recommended Budget Savings Strategies for 2015
There is an urgent need to switch from the current input based budget system which takes the current budget and adds caseload increases, an inflation factor and some new programs and considers that the base budget or current level budget.
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Guest post: Crafting strong educational policies while protecting student data
By: Mary Gifford, Senior Vice President of Academic Policy and External Relations, K12 In September 2013, Oklahoma passed a bill safeguarding student data, and since then, student and…
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States Prove that Educational Freedom Works
This appeared on RedState.com January 30, 2015. State lawmakers will surely haggle over education policy this legislative session, but hopefully they will remember the purpose of…
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States Embracing School Choice See Better Outcomes
In November, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) released the annual Report Card on American Education, tracking state education performance and progress over time. The results point out…
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Position Statement on Renewables and Climate Change
The operative principle of the ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture (EEA) Task Force is free market environmentalism. Members of the EEA Task Force work together to develop state-based policies that…
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A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN UPDATED NATIONAL SPECTRUM POLICY THAT EXPANDS UNLICENSED ACCESS TO SPECTRUM IN THE 5 GHZ AND 6 GHZ BANDS, OR PORTIONS THEREOF, TO MEET INCREASED DEMAND FOR WIRELESS BROADBAND TECHNOLOGIES
A Resolution Supporting the Development of an Updated National Spectrum Policy That Expands Unlicensed Access to Spectrum in the 5 GHZ and 6 GHZ Bands, or Portions Thereof,…
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ALEC State of the Union Response
Communications and Technology President Obama recognized in his State of the Union address that markets are working to provide quality broadband to consumers, check bad actors, and create new businesses…
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Model Policies Annual Meeting 2013
In August 2013, ALEC members met in Chicago to discuss and debate new model policies. Below is a full list of newly adopted policies from the 2013 Annual Meeting. All…
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A Competitive U.S. Economy Requires STEM Capabilities
Lately it seems like lawmakers can’t agree on anything. However, preparing and training the United States work force provides an excellent opportunity for all lawmakers to work together and ensure…
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Tech Sector and Organizations Tackle the Nation’s Skills and Talent Deficit
The United States faces yet another deficit, but this one is not a simple matter of red ink in a government budget. U.S. companies urgently need thousands of skilled professionals…
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Resolution Opposing Federal Intrusion in State Education Content Standards
WHEREAS, the mission of the American Legislative Exchange Council (“ALEC”) is, in part, to advance Jeffersonian principles, including respect for federalism and the prerogatives of the states; and…