Better living through better policy.

Topic: United States

country primarily located in North America

Embracing the Spirit of Independence

Post author By Patrick M. Brenner
Post date July 4, 2023
No Comments on Embracing the Spirit of Independence

On this day of remembrance, let us honor those who have served and continue to serve our country, protecting the freedom and rights we hold dear.

Tags Declaration of Independence, Fourth of July, Freedom, History, Independence Day, Liberty, Patriotism

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A 3-Letter Word: J-O-B-S

Our region’s employment boom continues.

Tags Economic Development, Employment, Jobs, Unemployment

Conservatism Culture Domestic Policy Economic Opportunity Economy Government Regulation Legal and Judicial Life Markets and Finance New Mexico Political Thought Poverty & Welfare Poverty and Inequality Press Progressivism Public Opinion Reports Top Issues Updates

Report: No Loan for You, Too!

Post author By Southwest Public Policy Institute
Post date June 15, 2023
15 Comments on Report: No Loan for You, Too!

Patrick M. Brenner stands outside Del Norte Credit Union during our "No Loan For You, Too!" experiment.

The unintended consequences of price controls on consumer access to credit.

Tags American Southwest Credit Union, Bank of America, Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), Credit, Del Norte Credit Union, Everyone’s Federal Credit Union, FirstLight Federal Credit Union, Four Corners Credit Union, Internationalites Federal Credit Union, Lending, Mountain America Credit Union, National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Navy Federal Credit Union, No Loan For You!, Nusenda Credit Union, Otero Federal Credit Union, Payday Alternative Loan, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, Specialized Emergency Loans, The Pew Charitable Trusts, U-1st Community Federal Credit Union, U.S. Bank, U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union, Veridian Credit Union, Wells Fargo

SPPI-TV Top Issues

SPPI-TV Ep. 11: Powering the Future

Post author By Patrick M. Brenner
Post date June 2, 2023
No Comments on SPPI-TV Ep. 11: Powering the Future

Join us for the next episode of SPPI-TV titled "Powering the Future" as we delve into the current state of energy production and distribution. Our guest speakers for this episode are D. Dowd Muska, the Vice President of Research at the Southwest Public Policy Institute (SPPI), and Larry Behrens, the Western States Director with Power […]

Arizona California Coal, Oil, Natural Gas Colorado Culture Energy & Environment Nevada New Mexico Nuclear Energy Top Issues Utah

Shaking Up Your Rattlesnakes

Post author By D. Dowd Muska
Post date May 18, 2023
2 Comments on Shaking Up Your Rattlesnakes

Fifty years ago, Washington’s plans for ‘peaceful nuclear explosions’ ended in Colorado.

Tags Cold War, History

Arizona California Colorado Conservatism Culture Domestic Policy Government Spending Government Transparency and Accountability Legal and Judicial Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma Political Thought Progressivism Reports Texas Top Issues Utah

Report: They Lobby — You Pay

Post author By Southwest Public Policy Institute
Post date May 17, 2023
7 Comments on Report: They Lobby — You Pay

Why and How to Stop Taxpayer-Funded Advocacy

Tags Accountability, Democrat, Education Savings Accounts, Ethics, Grass Roots, Influence, Legislation, Lobbying, Nonpartisan, Open Government, Republican, School Choice, Taxpayers, Transparency

Budget and Spending Data Debt Domestic Policy Government Spending Health Care Medicaid Medicare Social Security

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 California Colorado Domestic Policy Government Regulation Health Care Health Care Reform Legal and Judicial Life Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma Technology Texas Top Issues Utah

The Importance of Intellectual Property Protections in Fighting Pandemics

Post author By Patrick M. Brenner
Post date May 8, 2023
No Comments on The Importance of Intellectual Property Protections in Fighting Pandemics

The proposal to extend the IP waiver under the TRIPS Agreement for COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics would worsen the burden on innovators and have disastrous consequences for the American Southwest and the nation.