American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Archives

28Jul By Bob Weeks3 Comments

WichitaLibertyTV

WichitaLiberty.TV: After the Kansas tax increases

In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Jonathan Williams, chief economist at American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), joins Bob Weeks and Karl Peterjohn to discuss what ALEC does, and then topics specific to Kansas. View below, or click here to view at YouTube. Episode 159, broadcast July 30, 2017. Shownotes Link to American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Link to American City County Exchange (ACCE) Link to Rich States, Poor States Article: Lessons from Kansas: Cut Taxes while also Reducing Favoritism and Overspending

25Apr By Bob WeeksNo Comments

Kansas state government

Rich States, Poor States, 2107 edition

In Rich States, Poor States, Kansas improves its middle-of-the-pack performance, but continues with a mediocre forward-looking forecast. In the 2017 edition of Rich States, Poor States, Utah continues its streak at the top of Economic Outlook Ranking, meaning that the state is poised for growth and prosperity. Kansas continues with middle-of-the-pack performance rankings, and after falling sharply in the forward-looking forecast, continues at the same level. Rich States, Poor States is produced by American Legislative Exchange Council. The authors are economist Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, Stephen Moore, who is Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Project for Economic Growth at The Heritage Foundation, and Jonathan Williams, who is vice president for the Center for State Fiscal Reform at ALEC. In a...

15Mar By Bob WeeksNo Comments

Kansas state government

Lessons from Kansas tax reform

What can the rest of the nation learn from our experience in Kansas? Come to think of it, why haven't we learned much? Economists from American Legislative Exchange Council have looked at Kansas and derived some lessons from our state's struggle with tax reform. The document is titled Lessons from Kansas: A Behind the Scenes Look at America’s Most Discussed Tax Reform Effort. A few remarks and quotations: It may be difficult for us in Kansas to see how the rest of the country views our state. But it's all about the struggle between those who want more government, and those who want more private sector activity: “... it is clear to most observers of state policy at this point Kansas was, and continues to be, a flashpoint in debates about state tax policy. That flashpoint has served as som...

28Dec By Bob WeeksNo Comments

Politics

Year in Review: 2016

Here are highlights from Voice for Liberty for 2016. Was it a good year for the principles of individual liberty, limited government, economic freedom, and free markets in Wichita and Kansas? Also be sure to view the programs on WichitaLiberty.TV for guests like journalist, novelist, and blogger Bud Norman; Radio talk show host Joseph Ashby; David Bobb, President of Bill of Rights Institute; Heritage Foundation trade expert Bryan Riley; Radio talk show host Andy Hooser; Keen Umbehr; John Chisholm on entrepreneurship; James Rosebush, author of "True Reagan," Jonathan Williams of American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC); Gidget Southway, or Danedri Herbert; Lawrence W. Reed, president of the Foundation for Economic Education; and Congressman Mike Pompeo. January Kansas legislative res...

15Dec By Bob WeeksNo Comments

Politics

State pension cronyism

A new report details the way state pension funds harm workers and taxpayers through cronyism. Updated to accurately reflect the time period of the targeted investments. American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has released a report detailing the various ways state employee pension funds are harmed by cronyism. The report may be read at Keeping the Promise: Getting Politics Out of Pensions. The problem, ALEC reports, is: "Unfortunately, many lawmakers and pension plan officials have other priorities besides doing what is best for workers. They see the billions of pension fund dollars they manage as an opportunity to advance their own agendas. Rather than investing to earn the best return for workers, they use pension funds in a misguided attempt to boost their local economies, provid...

16Aug By Bob WeeksNo Comments

Economics

State of the States, 2016

What did the nation's governors tell their constituents this year? American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has examined the "State of the State" addresses delivered this year by state governors. Its report State of the States 2016 analyzes each for proposals that will affect economic competitiveness. The good news, according to the report? "The majority of governors seem to understand that lower tax rates and limited government give citizens and businesses a greater incentive to reside and operate in their states compared to others with higher tax rates and more regulations." But some states received bad news. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards told his state: “So, if you insist on saying that I never said I would raise taxes -- that I’m going back on my word -- that’s fine. Say i...

29Jul By Bob WeeksNo Comments

WichitaLibertyTV

WichitaLiberty.TV: The State of Kansas

In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Jonathan Williams helps us understand what's right -- and wrong -- with Kansas. Williams is Vice President for the Center for State Fiscal Reform at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). View below, or click here to view at YouTube. Shownotes American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Rich States, Poor States, ninth edition. This volume holds the most recent state-by-state rankings. Rich States, Poor States, eighth edition. This volume holds Chapter 4, titled "Lessons from Kansas: A Behind the Scenes Look at America’s Most Discussed Tax Reform Effort."

A National Perspective on Kansas Fiscal Policy

27Jul By Bob WeeksNo Comments

Kansas state government

A National Perspective on Kansas Fiscal Policy

Jonathan Williams, Vice President in charge of the Center for State Fiscal Reform at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), addressed a luncheon gathering of the Wichita Pachyderm Club on July 22, 2016, presenting "A National Perspective on Kansas Fiscal Policy." View below, or click here to view at YouTube. Videography by Paul Soutar.

30Apr By Bob Weeks7 Comments

Kansas state government

Kansas Center for Economic Growth

Kansas Center for Economic Growth, often cited as an authority by Kansas news media and politicians, is not the independent and unbiased source it claims to be. When supporters of more government spending and taxation in Kansas want to bolster their case, they often turn to Kansas Center for Economic Growth (KCEG). Portraying itself as a "nonprofit, nonpartisan organization," KCEG says its mission is "to advance responsible policies by informing public discussion through credible, fact-based materials." It says it conducts research and analysis to "promote balanced state policies." [1. Kansas Center for Economic Growth. About Us. Available at realprosperityks.com/about-us/.] As it turns out, KCEG is not really the nonpartisan, independent think tank it pretends to be. Instead, as shown ...

12Apr By Bob Weeks1 Comment

Kansas state government

Rich States, Poor States, 2106 edition

In Rich States, Poor States, Kansas continues with middle-of-the-pack performance, and fell sharply in the forward-looking forecast. In the 2016 edition of Rich States, Poor States, Utah continues its streak at the top of Economic Outlook Ranking, meaning that the state is poised for growth and prosperity. Kansas continues with middle-of-the-pack performance rankings, and fell sharply in the forward-looking forecast. Rich States, Poor States is produced by American Legislative Exchange Council. The authors are economist Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, Stephen Moore, who is Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Project for Economic Growth at The Heritage Foundation, and Jonathan Williams, who is vice president for the Center for State Fiscal Reform at ALEC. Rich States, Poor States computes two measures...

In Kansas, teachers unions should stand for retention

8Mar By Bob WeeksNo Comments

Wichita and Kansas schools

In Kansas, teachers unions should stand for retention

A bill requiring teachers unions to stand for retention elections each year would be good for teachers, students, and taxpayers. The bill is SB 469, titled "Recertification of professional employees' organizations under the professional negotiations act." It would require that the Kansas Department of Labor hold an election each year in each school district regarding whether the current representation should continue. These elections, in effect, would be referendums on the teachers union, by the teachers. (Update: The bill has been revised to call for elections every third year.) That's a good thing. The teachers union monopoly ought to stand for retention once in a while. The bill has an estimated cost of $340,000 annually, including the hiring of 4 employees. But this is a situ...

6Nov By Bob WeeksNo Comments

WichitaLibertyTV

WichitaLiberty.TV: Jonathan Williams of American Legislative Exchange Council

In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Jonathan Williams of American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) explains the goals of ALEC, changes to Kansas tax policy and the results, and the effects of state taxes on charitable giving. View below, or click here to view in high definition at YouTube. Episode 100, broadcast November 8, 2015. Shownotes American Legislative Exchange Council Rich States, Poor States State Budget Reform Toolkit State Factor: The Effect of State Taxes on Charitable Giving

29Sep By Bob WeeksNo Comments

Taxation

State taxes and charitable giving

States with higher rates of economic growth grow total charitable giving at a faster rate than states with low rates of economic growth, finds a new report by American Legislative Exchange Council. From ALEC: Charity is a crucial component of efforts to address societal challenges and help individuals thrive. From religious organizations to community charities, philanthropic donations drive the institutions of civil society and enable communities to develop around a greater sense of shared purpose. Despite this important role, charitable giving is rarely addressed in discussions around public policy -- especially state tax policy. The report uses data collected from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and focuses on both the levels of charitable giving and the growth of charitable gi...

26May By Bob WeeksNo Comments

Kansas state government

Kansas legislators: Don’t raise taxes

To balance the budget, there are many things Kansas lawmakers could do other than raising taxes. In congratulating Kansas lawmakers for passing a pro-growth tax cut, American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) reminds everyone that there is more than one way to balance a budget. Spending needs to be addressed: However, as budget realities need to be addressed, the spending side of the fiscal coin is a good place to start. ALEC has conducted non-partisan research on how states can make government more efficient. In the State Budget Reform Toolkit, case studies and policy options are examined that allow the state to maintain core services of government at a lower cost. One example is to eliminate positions in state agencies that have been vacant for more than six months, or to adopt ...

16Apr By Bob WeeksNo Comments

WichitaLibertyTV

WichitaLiberty.TV: Wichita Eagle reporting, marijuana laws, and the Kansas economy

In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: The Wichita Eagle prints several stories that ought to cause readers to question the reliability of its newsroom. Wichita voters pass a marijuana law that conflicts state law. Performance of the Kansas economy. Finally, some unexplained results in the way people vote. View below, or click here to view at YouTube. Episode 81, broadcast April 19, 2015.

9Apr By Bob WeeksNo Comments

Economics

Rich States, Poor States, 2105 edition

In Rich States, Poor States, Kansas continues with middle-of-the-pack performance, and fell in the forward-looking forecast for the second year in a row. In the 2015 edition of Rich States, Poor States, Utah continues its streak at the top of Economic Outlook Ranking, meaning that the state is poised for growth and prosperity. Kansas continues with middle-of-the-pack performance rankings, and fell in the forward-looking forecast. Rich States, Poor States is produced by American Legislative Exchange Council. The authors are economist Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, Stephen Moore, who is Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Project for Economic Growth at The Heritage Foundation, and Jonathan Williams, who is vice president for the Center for State Fiscal Reform at ALEC. Rich States, Poor States c...

16May By Bob WeeksNo Comments

Politics

Twitter, helpful in this case

A useful contribution of Twitter to society is to reveal how little some people actually know about their causes. It started with this. American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, was holding a meeting in Kansas City, and there was a lot of ALEC-bashing going on. But I like what ALEC does, as I tweeted: I'm glad that #ALEC advocates for free markets and limited government, especially since freedom has so many enemies. #ksleg— Bob Weeks (@bob_weeks) May 2, 2014 Which provided an opportunity to explain the fundamental axiom of libertarianism, and how libertarians apply it to everyone, including government: . @bob_weeks "The right to swing my fist ends where another man's nose begins." OWHolmes Jr #ALEC has given KS a bloody nose. #ALECSTFS&...