Better living through better policy.

Category: Budget and Spending

Paying for Your Golden Years, and Theirs

Post author By D. Dowd Muska
Post date May 11, 2023
No Comments on Paying for Your Golden Years, and Theirs

Local- and state-government employees need a dose of reality.

Tags OPEB, Pensions, Unfunded Liabilities

Arizona Budget and Spending California Colorado Data Domestic Policy Economy Government Regulation Government Spending Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma Taxes Texas Top Issues Utah

We’re No. 17.5! We’re No. 17.5!

Post author By D. Dowd Muska
Post date April 17, 2023
1 Comment on We’re No. 17.5! We’re No. 17.5!

The latest research from the American Legislative Exchange Council offers more cause for optimism.

Tags Economic Development

Arizona Budget and Spending California Colorado Economy Education Government Regulation Government Spending Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma Taxes Texas Top Issues Utah

Boomtown U.S.A.

The American Southwest’s population growth is en fuego — well, with two exceptions.

Tags Demographics, Economic Development, Population Growth

Arizona Budget and Spending California Colorado Debt Government Spending Medicare Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma Poverty & Welfare Poverty and Inequality Social Security Texas Top Issues Utah Welfare

Surviving D.C.’s Debt Disaster

Post author By D. Dowd Muska
Post date March 20, 2023
1 Comment on Surviving D.C.’s Debt Disaster

Utah’s chances are good — but New Mexico…

Tags Entitlements, National Debt

Arizona Budget and Spending Colorado Hunger and Food Programs New Mexico Oklahoma Taxes Top Issues Utah Welfare

Food, Folks, and Fiscal Policy

Post author By D. Dowd Muska
Post date March 7, 2023
No Comments on Food, Folks, and Fiscal Policy

Is taxing groceries ‘regressive’?

Tags Food, Groceries

Arizona Budget and Spending Data Economy Education Government Spending New Mexico Taxes

No. 47 Stumbled — No. 48 Soared

Post author By D. Dowd Muska
Post date February 17, 2023
4 Comments on No. 47 Stumbled — No. 48 Soared

Why New Mexico has languished and Arizona has thrived

Tags Arizona, Economic Development, Economic Growth, New Mexico

Budget and Spending Economy Government Spending Oklahoma Top Issues

‘Unpleasantly Surprised Almost Every Single Day’

Post author By D. Dowd Muska
Post date January 23, 2023
2 Comments on ‘Unpleasantly Surprised Almost Every Single Day’

Is promoting tourism a legitimate government function?

Tags Corporate Welfare, Oklahoma, Spending, Taxpayers, Tourism

Arizona Budget and Spending California Colorado Data Government Spending Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma Texas Top Issues Utah

Let the Sessions (and the Spending) Begin!

Post author By D. Dowd Muska
Post date January 17, 2023
1 Comment on Let the Sessions (and the Spending) Begin!

All eight states of the American Southwest are, or will soon be, in session. Will legislators return budget surpluses to inflation-battered taxpayers, or launch spend-a-thons?

Tags Budget, California, Gavin Newsom, New Mexico, Spending, Tax Cuts, Taxpayers

Budget and Spending Conservatism Courts Domestic Policy Education Government Spending Legal and Judicial New Mexico Political Thought Poverty and Inequality Progressivism Public Opinion Top Issues

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham Announces Official School Choice Week Declaration

Post author By Patrick M. Brenner
Post date January 16, 2023
3 Comments on Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham Announces Official School Choice Week Declaration

New Mexico’s Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham officially declared January 22-28, 2023 as School Choice Week!

Tags Corey DeAngelis, Craig Brandt, Education, Families, Michelle Lujan Grisham, National School Choice Week, School Choice, Students

Budget and Spending Conservatism Courts Education Life New Mexico Poverty and Inequality Progressivism Public Opinion The Constitution Top Issues

Senator Craig Brandt Introduced a Bill to Fund Students Not Systems

Post author By Patrick M. Brenner
Post date January 16, 2023
1 Comment on Senator Craig Brandt Introduced a Bill to Fund Students Not Systems

Senator Craig Brandt recently introduced a bill to fund students in New Mexico, which would create comprehensive school choice reform.

Tags Corey DeAngelis, Craig Brandt, Education, Education Freedom, Education Savings Accounts, Families, Michelle Lujan Grisham, School Choice, Students