‘Well, at least we’ll have company’ The IRS becomes the latest regulatory agency to spotlight the need for reform.
Regulation / Tax

‘Well, at least we’ll have company’ The IRS becomes the latest regulatory agency to spotlight the need for reform.

It’s been a tough May for Federal Agencies. Amid a backdrop of scrutiny over potential regulatory missteps in the Texas fertilizer plant explosion, accusations of document concealment at the Environmental Protection Agency, and lengthy congressional hearings into State Department action in the aftermath of the Benghazi terror attacks, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) finished this … Continue reading

A Drop in the Bucket: the Obamacare Application Gets a Reboot
Affordable Care Act / Economy / Healthcare / Regulation

A Drop in the Bucket: the Obamacare Application Gets a Reboot

Flexible and nimble, these are the words chosen by one Obama Administration official as part of the announcement earlier this week that the application to apply for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) shiny new state exchanges would be trimmed to three pages. The presentation of the new form, meant to remind the … Continue reading

“Made in the Shade” Bringing Light to EPA Rulemaking
Energy / Regulation

“Made in the Shade” Bringing Light to EPA Rulemaking

“My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government.  We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government.” This statement forms the opening paragraph of a pointed memo released … Continue reading

Does New EPA Rule Mean More Pain at the Gas Pump or Cleaner Air?
America / Economy / Energy / Regulation

Does New EPA Rule Mean More Pain at the Gas Pump or Cleaner Air?

Obsessive behavior surrounding climate change continues as the EPA releases their new Tier 3 program for sulfur regulation in gasoline. The program sets new vehicles emissions standards and lower sulfur content in gasoline beginning in 2017. The policy is projected to be more effective than past emissions policy, because it controls vehicle emissions as well … Continue reading

Self-Evident? Walking the path to Citizenship in the United States
Education / Immigration / Regulation

Self-Evident? Walking the path to Citizenship in the United States

Oracle, IBM, and Microsoft together form a vanguard assembly of tech giants known to foster excited anticipation for 21st century innovation. However, at the tail end of 2012 these industry leaders all placed their signatures next to one another on a letter expressing support for a contemporary center-piece of American Politics: Immigration Reform. Up for … Continue reading

Endangered species finally get much needed attention
America / Environmental Regulation / Regulation

Endangered species finally get much needed attention

Social, economic and political problems plague policy makers and focus attention on an array of both domestic and foreign issues. Congress is notably polarized and it seems that the more important an issue may be, the more difficult compromise is. Top environmental issues tend to revolve around energy production, renewable energy technology, food production, water … Continue reading

No Buds for Budweiser: Are Corporate Mergers Bad for Consumers?
Economy / Regulation / U.S. Domestic Policy

No Buds for Budweiser: Are Corporate Mergers Bad for Consumers?

Budweiser’s proposed merger with Corona and Stella Artois was denied in early February by the Department of Justice, but several other big name companies have plans to get together. The big name mergers underway are: Office Depot with Office Max, US Airways with American Airlines, and Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway with Heinz Ketchup. These corporate … Continue reading

Economy / Regulation / U.S. Domestic Policy

At Minimum, a Call for Reform

During his State of the Union, President Obama’s call to raise the minimum wage generated enough buzz that congressional Republicans were barely to the steps of the capital building before they were voicing concern. Despite the surging popularity of this proposition, new research suggests that minimum wage increases may not benefit employees as matter-of-factly as … Continue reading