Monthly Archives: September 2011

Senseless Government Intrusion Stifles Small Business

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Adam Schwiebert

People disagree about the factors that led us to our current economic predicament. But there’s near universal agreement that one factor will lead us out: small business. That is, unless government continues to get in the way. A recent piece …

Posted in Regulation | Leave a comment

College Entrance Scores Show Status Quo is Not Working… Even if “Report Cards” Do

Posted on September 28, 2011 by admin

Reform is essential if public education is to survive and provide the product expected by taxpayers and, more importantly, the tools to allow the next generation to compete in a new economy.  Recent reports regarding the latest trends on SAT …

Posted in Education | 4 Comments

Real Reform Needed in Wake of “Operation Twist” Pension Buster

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Greg R. Lawson

The recent moves by the U.S. Federal Reserve to keep interest rates low and stimulate borrowing may have a perverse impact on defined benefit pension systems. This so-called “Operation Twist” not only has corporate pension planners worried, it should also …

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State Teachers’ Retirement System (STRS) Ignoring the Facts

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Adam Schwiebert

In its response last week to our report, Taxpayers on the Hook: Taxpayer Contribution Rates for Ohio Government Pensions Outpace National Averages, STRS focuses on nitpicking details while ignoring the painfully obvious fiscal reality: STRS is a failing retirement system. …

Posted in Pensions | 2 Comments

Good for the Goose, Good for the Gander?  Not Quite

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Greg R. Lawson

Even those that support defined benefit pensions for public employees acknowledge that what’s good for the goose is not, apparently, good for the gander. OPERS recently highlighted the “Secure Choice Pension” plan being promoted by the National Conference on Public …

Posted in Pensions | 1 Comment

Advanced Degrees and Teacher Compensation

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Greg R. Lawson

Is it time to rethink some our laws on mandating teachers get Masters’ degrees to stay in the profession? Is it time to rethink the assumption that an advanced degree bestows upon its recipient some extra aura of competence that …

Posted in Education | 1 Comment

United States Postal Service Sees Benefits of Defined Contribution Retirement System

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Adam Schwiebert

Facing losses of $8 billion at the end of fiscal year 2011, the United States Postal Service is looking to adopt a defined contribution retirement plan in order to generate cost savings. It’s yet another example of government turning to …

Posted in Pensions | 1 Comment