John R. La Plante ... PolicyGuy ... Selected Publications

Public policy
in the states.

Economics

2007
Funding Public Parks through Private Incentives (PDF)
States use private-public partnerships, friends groups, differential pricing and other techniques to make sure that parks are not neglected. Saint Paul Legal Ledger (August)

Immigration Debate Creates Strange Bedfellows (PDF)
Do low-skill immigrants help or hurt the economy? Think tanks square off. Saint Paul Legal Ledger (July)

Challenges to Achieving the American Dream (PDF)
A new report says that generation-to-generation income growth is reversing. What should policymakers do about it? Saint Paul Legal Ledger. (June)

Reforming Welfare Reform (PDF)
Some welfare clients need more time to prepare for work. Others need to take work, even if it's unpaid. Saint Paul Legal Ledger. (June)

2005
Responding to Michigan's Population Slide (PDF)
Michigan's losing ground to the rest of the country. Its business climate doesn't help. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. (July)

Trying Too Hard to Be Cool
Michigan's officials are chasing after a fade that has already faded. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. This commentary ranked #21 on the list of the most 25 popular daily commentaries published by the Mackinac Center during 2005. (March)

2004
Cities Need Less Government, Not More
Tax Increment Financing? How about modest government instead? Mackinac Center for Public Policy. (May)

Education

2008: May
From "A Nation at Risk" to "Cities in Crisis" (PDF)
If you live in one of the nation's 50 largest cities and attend public school, your chances of graduating on time as essentially a coin flip. As Colin Powell says, that's a catastrophe. Saint Paul Legal Ledger.

2008: April
Plato's Republic on the Plains (PDF)
Universal preschool is the rage. Kansans should be wary of adopting it, however. Flint Hills Center for Public Policy

2008: March
Minnesota No. 1 for charter schools (PDF)
One report gives Minnesota high praise for its charter school laws. Another gives it the No. 1 ranking for achievement. Saint Paul Legal Ledger.

Be Wary of Supplanting Parental Responsibility with Public Programs (PDF)
Universal preschool programs sound attractive, but violate some principles of the proper ordering of institutions. Osage County (Kansas) Herald-Chronicle.

Home Schooling in California and the Good Society in Kansas (PDF)
A court's ruling on homeschooling prompts the quesiton: Whose children are these anyway? Kansas City Kansan

2008: February
Pre-K Offers False Hope (PDF)
The biggest problems in education are in middle and high school. So why is pre-K the next big thing? Kansas City Kansan.

Business and Education (PDF)
The popularity of for-profit universities and tutoring companies shows that the profit motive is compatible with education. Look at the various tutoring companies in the country. Pittsburgh, Kansas Morning Sun.

2008: January
School Choice Promotes Accountability (PDF)
Does school choice mean that schools are not accountable? Hardly. Kansas City Kansan.

2007: December
K-12 Spending and Achivement in Kansas: 2007 Edition (PDF)
This policy report presents trends in enrollment, spending, and student achievement for public school districts in the state of Kansas. Flint Hills Center for Public Policy.

Spending and Achivement in Wichita: 2007 Edition (PDF)
This policy report presents trends in enrollment, spending, and student achievement in Kansas's largest school district. Flint Hills Center for Public Policy.

States Grading on a Curve (PDF)
Two recent reports suggest that states are taking liberties with No Child Left Behind standards. How is Kansas doing? Hutchinson (KS) News

If We Remove Schools from the Culture Wars, Maybe We'll Find Better Schools (PDF)
Opponents of school choice say that public schools are vital to promoting school unity. But the record is far less sanguine. Saint Paul Legal Ledger.

California Dreamin' (PDF)
Lots of upscale communities in California underperforming schools, demonstrating, among other things, that even the middle class needs school choice. Saint Paul Legal Ledger

2007: November
"No Child" Leading to Grade Laxity (PDF)
In their response to No Child Left Behind, states are practicing grade inflation. Saint Paul Legal Ledger

2007: September
Open Doors for Gifted Students (PDF)
When we force gifted students into one-size-fits-all schools, we all lose. Op-ed published by the Kansas City Kansan.

Is Small Beautiful? Evaluating Classroom Size (PDF)
A major study used to support smaller classes is seriously flawed. Saint Paul Legal Ledger.

Does Educational Choice Threaten Community Stability? (PDF)
Having a community can be a good thing. It doesn't require--and isn't necessarily built from--having a single option for schooling in town. Op-ed published by the Kansas City Kansan.

2007: August
Virtual Schools a Good Option (PDF)
A new option for virtual schooling is good for students in southwest Kansas. Letter published by the Garden City Telegram

2007: July
Public Pre-K: Proceed with Caution (PDF)
The advocates of public funding of pre-K programs neglect the methodological limitations of their favored studies. Op-ed published by the Shawnee Dispatch (Shawnee Mission, Kan.).

Virtual Schools: For Some, the Future of Education (PDF)
What are virtual schools, and who could use them? Flint Hills Center for Public Policy

2007: May
Home Schooling Contributes to Public Education (PDF)
Who are home schoolers? They're more diverse than you might think, and they contribute to public education. Op-ed published by the Kansas City Kansan.

Science Doesn't Support Claims About Preschool (PDF)
If you want a science-backed school reform, try competition among schools, not expensive preschool programs. Op-ed printed by the Wichita Eagle.

Tutoring Options: A Good Feature of No Child Left Behind (PDF)
No Child Left Behind offers tutoring, and hope, to poor families. So why are schools fighting it? Op-ed published by the Dodge City Globe.

When going to school means going online (PDF)
Online learning, including virtual charter schools, is valuable for students and communities. Saint Paul Legal Ledger.

Spending and Achievement in Kansas: A District-by-District Review (PDF)
Some school districts in Kansas spend a lot more money than others to bring students to proficiency. Policy paper published by the Flint Hills Center for Public Policy.

2007: April
It's Time to Start Asking Hard Questions (PDF)
We do students no favors when we back away from holding schools accountable. Op-ed printed by the Hutchinson (KS) News and Salina (KS) Journal.

All-day K and Pre-K: An Idea Whose Time Has Come? (PDF)
Early childhood education is all the rage. But universal pre-K is a weak solution to the problems of public schooling. Paper published by the Flint Hills Center for Public Policy.

2007: March
An Idea Whose Time Has Come (PDF)
Utah becomes the first state to enact a universal (statewide) school voucher program. Op-ed published by the Dodge City Globe.

2007: January
No Relationship Between Spending and Achievement (PDF)
More money means a better education? Not quite. Op-ed. Published by KSSmall.Biz and other publications.

Prize-Winning Economist Left his Mark (PDF)
Milton Friedman's views on economics, once reviled, have gained great currency. Will his support of school vouchers achieve the same? Op-ed published by the Salina Journal.

Kansas Schools Chief (PDF)
Kansas needs a new education chief. Experience in a bureaucracy is useful. A fresh approach is better. Letter published by the Kansas City Star.

Future of education require "tough choices" (PDF)
A new report on the skills of the American workforce calls attention to the need for major changes in government-run education. Op-ed published by the Kansas City Kansan.

2006: December
Charter School Primer (PDF)
How does Kansas charter school use and law measure up against the experience of other states? What are charter schools like? This policy paper describes some basic facts about charter schools, addresses myths about them, and offers recommendations for making greater use of charter schools.

A New Year's Resolution: Look at Charter Schools (PDF)
Institutional arrangements matter. The law in Kansas is not favorable towards charter schools, which should be a valuable part of a public education system. Op-ed published by the Chanute (Kansas) Tribune.

An economist's life shows the power of academic scribblers (PDF)
School choice may be the most far-reaching legacy of Milton Friedman. Saint Paul Legal Ledger.

2006: November
The Education Commissioner and the Admiral (PDF)
Not every school leader needs to be a former teacher. Op-ed published by the Dodge City Globe.

Charter Schools Offer Variety of Options, Possibilities (PDF)
Charter schools are an underappreciated element of education improvement. Op-ed published by the Girard (Kansas) Press (reprinted here) and the Salina Journal.

2006: September
The 100 Percent Solution (PDF)
In looking at ways to educate children in poverty, lawmakers should look at a proposal called the 100 percent solution. Letter to the editor, published by the Kansas City Star.

Are you getting more from your public schools? (PDF)
Spending is up. Achievement is ... less than outstanding. Op-ed published by the Pittsburgh (Kansas) Morning Sun.

Is School Investment Paying Off? (PDF)
School spending increased over 60 percent between 1993 and 2004, yet one in four students drop out and fewer than half are proficient. However we're distributing the money, it doesn't seem to be working very well. Op-ed published by the Wichita Eagle.

Is More Funding an Accomplishment? (PDF)
Public officials who increase spending on schools don't accomplish anything, contrary to the commendation of newspaper editorials. What counts is not funding amounts, but school achievement. Letter to the editor, published by the Johnson County Sun.

Who's being punished? (PDF)
In discussing the standards used to administer No Child Left Behind, some people worry about punishing school districts. Shouldn't we be concerned about punishing children who suffer in poorly performing schools? Op-ed published by the Girard (Kansas) Press and the Kansas City Kansan.

2006: August
K-12 Spending and Performance in Kansas: 2006 Edition (PDF)
What has happened to student enrollment and school spending? What is the relationship between spending and achievement? Policy paper written for the Flint Hills Center for Public Policy.

Fund Students, Not Consolidation (PDF)
The Wichita Eagle calls for more school district consolidation. What is needed, however, is a look at the "100 Percent Solution," and funding students. Letter to the editor published by the Eagle.

School's in Session, and the Laboratories of Democracy Are Open (PDF)
One size fits all? Not when it comes to the different ways in which states are delivering education to K-12 students. Op-ed published by the Kansan City Kansan.

2006: July
More Than Sex and Evolution (PDF)
Debates on education focus on sex ed and evolution. But there are many issues of school performance that need addressing. Op-ed published by KSSmallBiz and other newspapers.

2006: June
Don't Play Games with Proficiency Standards (PDF)
When states report much higher rates of student proficiency on their own tests than on the nation's report card, you've got to wonder if some gamesmanship is at work. Op-ed published by the Pittsburgh (Kansas) Morning Sun.

Give Charter Schools Room to Grow (PDF)
Charter schools can be a valuable component of the school landscape--if they aren't smothered by overly restrictive laws. Op-ed published by Dodge City Globe.Also published by the Kansas City Kansan.

2006: May
Education rife with politics (PDF)
Complaints that politics interferes with education misses an important point: when schools are run by governments, politics is inevitable. Op-ed published by the Girard (Kansas) Press.

Say it isn't so! Examining Education Myths (PDF)
Op-ed published by the Girard (Kansas) Press and the Kansas City Kansan.

Facing our fears about competition (PDF)
Answering some common objections to the use of competition among schools. Op-ed published by the Kansas City Kansan.

2006: April
Online service gives data on education (PDF image may load slowly)
The Kansas Department of Education unveils a new tool for consumers. Op-ed published by the Kansas City Kansan.

2006: March
Competition Delivers Improved Student Performance: Findings from Voucher Experiments (PDF)
Public voucher and private scholarship programs show that giving students options improves their performance. Policy paper of the Flint Hills Center.

Does competition work in education? (PDF)
Results of randomized studies involving scholarships and vouchers suggest that competition among schools promotes student achievement. Op-ed published by the Anderson County Review.

2006: January
Above Average: Good enough to forestall reforms? (PDF image may load slowly)
Above average isn't good enough. Op-ed published by the Kansas City Kansan.

Charter Schools Work (PDF)
Charter schools work well for some families. If Kansans wish to advance the cause of education rather than protect particular school systems, they should expand the roster of authorities who can grant charters to new schools. Letter to the editor published by the Topeka Capitol-Journal, written for the Flint Hills Center for Public Policy.

Why Kansas Must Improve Its Above-Average Test Scores (PDF)
One oft-cited objection to using competition and choice to reform education: "We're above average." But don't let averages fool you: only 3 in 4 students graduate on time, and only 1 in 3 achieves a proficient or better score on most standardized tests covering math, reading, and other subjects. Policy paper written for the Flint Hills Center for Public Policy.

2005: December
School Consolidation: An Ineffective Way of Improving Education (PDF)
Bigger isn't always better. Sometimes it's worse. Policy paper. Published by the Flint Hills Center for Public Policy. ("Kansas Needs More Fragmentation, Not Consolidation" is the op-ed version. Here's a PDF copy of a Word file of how it was published by the Dodge Globe.)

Kansas Justices Should Learn from Texas Court (PDF)
The highest court in Texas says that "more money does not guarantee better schools or more educated students." This simple yet overlooked principle should guide efforts at reforming education. Also important is the court's notice of the suggestion that competition can play an important part. Op-ed published by the Wichita Eagle The Girard (Kansas) Press published a longer version, which is available in PDF here.

2005: November
Bring competition (PDF)
The Kansas State Board of Education should be commended for looking into vouchers. Letter to the editor published by the Wichita Eagle.

What is Public Education? (PDF)
Is the goal of public education the maintenance of a school system, or the education of children? Op-ed published by The Anderson County (Kansas) Register.

2005: October
An Open Letter to the Education Commissioner (PDF)
Kansas has a new education commissioner. He can advance education by helping the public understand the financial status of the state's unified school districts ("Public schools"), as well as their performance. Op-ed published by the Olathe (Kansas) News.

School Audit Reveals Less Than You Think (PDF)
A recently released report disappoints. Op-ed published by the Wichita Eagle.

2005: September
It is possible to spend too much on education (PDF)
Without competition, how do we know we are spending the right amount? Op-ed published by Kansas City Small Business Monthly (no guarantee on how long that link will last). You can also read a version (click on title) printed by the Girard (Kansas) Press.

Elections are a Poor Way to Change Schools (PDF)
Elections are a poor substitute for consumer choice. Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

2005: August
How About a Little Competition? (PDF)
Improving education will come through competition. Op-ed published by the Salina (Kansas) Press.

2005: July
Competitive Sourcing (PDF)
Employee leasing can be good for school districts. Article written for Michigan Privatization Report, published by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

Spending Level Fine (PDF)
Do schools in Kansas need more money? Consider that after-inflation spending increased 22 percent from 1993 to 2004. Letter to the editor, published by the Lawrence Journal-World.

2005: June
School Funding is a Political Question (PDF)
Take politics out of education funding? Impossible. Op-ed published by the Wichita Eagle.

True Costs of Education Unknown Without Consumer Feedback (PDF)
Cost studies that take a noncompetitive environment as given are by nature incomplete. Op-ed published by KSSmallbiz.com

2005: April
Facts About Education Spending: Arkansas City (PDF)
Facts About Education Spending: Blue Valley (PDF)
Facts About Education Spending: Dodge City (PDF)
Facts About Education Spending: Lawrence (PDF)
Facts About Education Spending: Salina (PDF)
Facts About Education Spending: Shawnee Mission (PDF)
Facts About Education Spending: Topeka (PDF)
Facts About Education Spending: Wichita (PDF) and Letter to the Editor (PDF) of the East Wichita News addresses some complaints raised by the superintendent of USD 259 Wichita.)

2005: March
Facts About Education Spending in Kansas (PDF)
Per-pupil, inflation-adjusted spending increased 22 percent from 1993 to 2004. Policy brief, Flint Hills Center for Public Policy.

2005: January
Add Choice, Not Just Money, to Education (PDF)
Op-ed published by the Wichita Eagle.

New Reports Enhance School Accountability (PDF)
A new reporting tool shows promise for enhancing school accountability, if it's done right. Op-ed published by the Wichita Independent Business Association newsletter.

2004: November
Kansas Needs More Charter schools (PDF)
They're not the only solution, but they are part of it. Op-ed published by the Wichita Eagle.

2004: October
Fewer Students = More Money (PDF)
School districts have fewer students to serve. So why do they get more money? Viewpoint published by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

2004: September
What Judge Bullock Should Have Learned From Judge Clark (PDF)
Money can buy a lot--but not necessarily education success. Policy brief of the Flint Hills Center for Public Policy.

School Board Self-Help (PDF)
School boards that ask for more money ought to look at extravagent conference costs first. Viewpoint published by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

2004: August
Be Smart When Spending on Education (PDF)
It's not enough to spend more on education; how it is spent is equally if not more important. Op-ed published by the Wichita Eagle.

2004: July
How Good are Public Schools in Kansas? (PDF)
Kansas schools are better than average--but is average good enough? Policy brief published by the Flint Hills Center for Public Policy.

Environment and Natural Resources

2007
Popular, yes but there is a dark side to ethanol (PDF)
What's wrong with political support for ethanol? Plenty. Saint Paul Legal Ledger (October)

2004
Government Policies Make Gas Situation Worse
Gas prices too high? Look at government restrictions on drilling and refining. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. This was the ninth-most widely read daily commentary for the year 2004 published by the Mackinac Center. (June)

2001
Why Energy Conservation Efforts Fail
Attempts to conservative energy are overcome by increased demands for energy. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. (October)

Government: Budgets and Mission

2007
This little piggy went to market (PDF)
Exposing wasteful government spending is a good day's work for some groups. Saint Paul Legal Ledger (July)

Public pension funds are a ticking time bomb (PDF)
Politicians and public sector unions produce bad policies that leave taxpayers with $340 billion in unfunded liabilities. Saint Paul Legal Ledger. (March)

Can we open the policy-driven 'locks' of life? (PDF)
Public policies governing health care, education and transportation currently "lock" citizens into situations that hinder the common good. Saint Paul Legal Ledger.

2005
Right-Sizing Military Infrastructure
The Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process shows the importance of political instractructure. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. (March)

2004
Michigan's Budget Deficit Calls for Structural Reforms
A budget crisis is a perfect opportunity to look at structural reforms. Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

Offshoring State Services Benefits Michigan
Government services are for the public good--and that requires getting the best value for the dollar. Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

AFL-CIO Says: Union Rules Hurt Us (PDF)
Union-only requirements for public projects hurt taxpayers--and in one case at least, union workers. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. This was the tenth-most widely read commentary for the year 2004 published by the Mackinac Center.

2003
Your Tax Dollars at Work, part one (PDF)
Some government spending is necessary. Some isn't. Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

Your Tax Dollars at Work, part two (PDF)
Examples of questionable spending are not hard to find. Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

Your Taxes at Work (audio) (MP3, 3mb)
Radio interview with theOklahoma Council of Public Affairs, 3 minutes long.

Government-run Enterprises

2008
Please don't buy me a Betamax (PDF)
A Minnesota city discovers that municipal Wi-Fi can put residents on the bleeding edge. Saint Paul Legal Ledger. (February)

2007
Government should stay out of Wi-Fi (PDF)
Due to financial and technological risks, among other concerns, government should avoid running broadband service. Saint Paul Legal Ledger. (February)

2004
Cities that Cry Poverty Should Sell Their Money-Losing Ski Areas
Governments that want more tax revenue ought to make some cuts first. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. (July)

DNR Contracts Out Management of Ski Area
Government does good, and contracts out a non-essential commercial enterprise. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. (April)

2002
No Business in Snow Business
Given the challenges of the day, operating a ski area is the least of Michigan government's worries. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. (October)

Health Care

2008
Yet Another Expansion of MinnesotaCare? (PDF)
A legislative panel says "let's expand subsidized insurance." There are smarter steps to take, though. Saint Paul Legal Ledger (January)

Consumer-focused competition needed in health care (PDF)
Regina Herzlinger asks "Who killed health care?" and says that supply-side changes are required. Saint Paul Legal Ledger (January)

2007
Missouri Leads Way on Health Insurance Reform (PDF)
A new law in Missouri gives new opportunities to small-business employees. Saint Paul Legal Ledger (October)

A New (Old) Approach to Health Insurance (PDF)
A new census shows that use of health savings accounts and high-deductible insurance policies is growing. Saint Paul Legal Ledger. (May)

American Health Care Policy Needs "The Cure" (PDF)
David Gratzer, a doctor from Canada, explains why the U.S. needs more capitalism. Saint Paul Legal Ledger. (February)

Jury is Still Out on Consumer-Driven Health Care Plans (PDF)
This brief introduction to consumer-driven health care notes that it still has a long ways to grow. Published by the Saint Paul Legal Ledger. (January)

2006
Difficult Choices Ahead for Health Care Policy (PDF)
One in 12 adults over 45 know how expensive long-term care is. Are you one of them? Published by the Saint Paul Legal Ledger. (December)

2004
Oklahoma Policy Blueprint 2004
Chapters on health care and SoonerCare. Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. (The PDF version of the report is 47 pages, 506kb).

To Improve Health Insurance Access, Repeal Guaranteed Issue (PDF)
A well-intentioned regulation is making health insurance unaffordable--and unavailable. Maine Public Policy Institute.

Empower Patients, Not Bureaucrats (PDF)
A plan to increase the government rolls by raising cigarette taxes takes Oklahoma in the wrong direction. Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

Veterans' Woes Illustrate Problem with Government Health Care
Michigan VA patients suffer due to the nature of government-run health care. Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

2003
Mandates Cause Uninsurance (PDF)
When politics determine what insurance covers, special interests benefit but the public loses. Maine Public Policy Institute.

Insurance Market in Critical Condition (PDF)
The market for traditional, individual insurance is all but dead in Maine. Why? Maine Public Policy Institute.

Medicaid Expansion is (Still) the Wrong Solution (PDF)
Add more people to Medicaid? Try some other reforms first. Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

Illinois Needs Medicaid Reform (PDF)
Taking out short-term loans to pay pharmacists is a sign of deeper trouble. Illinois Policy Institute.

2002
Two Promising Alternatives for Controlling Health Care Costs (PDF)
Health Reimbursement Arrangements and Medicaid vouchers could inprove budgets and health care. Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

Are Medicaid's Benefits Too Healthy? (PDF)
Taxpayers shouldn't buy better health care for others than they get for themselves. Do they? Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

Making Health Care Healthy Again
Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) lead the way to increased consumer choice--and a better health care system. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. (The version that resides for now on the web site of the Mackinac Center has a graph that is not included in the link above.)

Political Philosophy

John Paul II: Affirming the Importance of Refuge from the State
Pope John Paul II was a hero for human freedom against oppressive government. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. (April 2005)

Regulation and the Legal System

2004
Wine Protectionism
The Supreme Court strikes a blow for interstate commerce and consumer choice. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. (December)

The Verdict is in: Private Juries Hold Promise
Private mediation firms are a constructive alternative to a clogged court system. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. (December)

2003
Lock in Savings With Prison Privatization
The private sector can outperform government offices, even in running prisons. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. (February)

Supercenters--and Shoppers--Under Attack
Don't like megastores, such as Wal-Mart SuperCenters? Then don't shop there. But some people actually think that banning them would be a good idea. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. (June)

1999
Keeping Internet Free Can Help, Not Harm Community (PDF)
Fear of the social implications of Internet use fuel calls for regulation. But such calls overlook the good that the net can provide. The Heartland Institute. (November/December)

Taxes

2006: November
Think tanks debate 'Taxpayers Bill of Rights' (PDF)
Groups across the country take stands for and against a tax limitation measure. Saint Paul Legal Ledger.

2005: October
It's About Choices (PDF)
A taxpayers bill of rights reinforces the importance of making hard choices for good policy. Letter published by the Topeka Capital-Journal.

2004: October
Tax Cut Stories Miss the Picture
Newspapers that focus on the downside of government service reductions overlook the benefits of tax cuts. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. This was the most widely read essay of the Mackinac Center's daily product, "Current Comments," for the year. (October)

2004: September
Bill of Rights Allows Voters to Put Lid On Taxes (PDF)
A Taxpayers Bill of Rights offers many benefits to state residents. As published by the St. Cloud (Minnesota) Times.

2004: June
Cigarette Taxes Should Have Gone Up in Smoke
Michigan missed an opportunity, and incurred real costs, by raising cigarette taxes. Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

2004: April
Growth's Limit No Threat to Government (PDF)
A Taxpayers Bill of Rights is consistent with democratic principles. Published by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Written for the Taxpayers League of Minnesota. (The Star-Tribune pulls articles off its web site after a short time; the link is to a plain-text copy that has no formatting.)

Social Security Reform--Detroit News
A number of articles on the subject, published by the Detroit News.

2000: January
Save the Internet from Death by Taxes (PDF)
The growth of e-commerce has state officials running scared and calling for enhanced taxing authority. Here's why they should not have it. The Heartland Institute.

1999: March
Reforming Social Security (PDF)
Social Security is Broken. Here's how to fix it. The Heartland Institute.

Transportation and Land Use

2008
Teardowns on a Tear (PDF)
A larger house may be coming to a street near you. Saint Paul Legal Ledger (February)

Housing Policy Perils (PDF)
Regulations on local land use increase housing prices--in Seattle, by 44 percent. Saint Paul Legal Ledger (February)

2007
Making Political Gains Out of Tragedy (PDF)
It's far too easy, early, and wrong to use the I-35W bridge collapse as a reason to raise taxes. Minneapolis Finance and Commerce (August)

Everything you wanted to know about bridges (PDF)
The Federal Highway Administration has an extensive database of information about the nation's bridges. But leave it to a solitary hobbyist to turn that information into something that citizens can easily use. Saint Paul Legal Ledger. (August)

Subsidizing the people who need it the least (PDF)
Transportation officials issue a new report. They get some things right, but the emphasis on mass transit could mean increased subsidies to the people who need them the least--commuter rail riders. Saint Paul Legal Ledger. (April)

2001
Snow in Chicago Teaches Lessons About Property Rights
Why do neighbors feud over patches of shoveled street? Lack of property rights. The Heartland Institute. (February)

Various issues in public policy

As managing editor of Intellectual Ammunition (now defunct), I performed copy editing, and also wrote the editor's letter for each issue from September 1999 through August 2001. This PDF file contains those letters.

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