Monthly Archives: April 2016

U.S. Tax System Forces Corporations to Look Overseas

Anti-big-business rhetoric is alive and well in this presidential election year.
Of course Big Business works the halls of government to its advantage whenever it can. As do the lobbies for small business, unions, farmers, etc. But when it comes to creating a business climate where our internationally renowned businesses can succeed, the prestige of Big Business seems to be failing miserably. Continue reading

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North Virginia's Metro is Failing

How bad is the Washington Metro rail system? So bad that only 84% of its trains ran on time, mainly due to poor maintenance. So bad that ridership declined 5% since 2010, even as transit ridership nationally was up. So bad that the system needs an extra $1.3 billion every year to invest in capital projects, and no one knows where the money will come from. The Metro rail system is so bad that even the Washington Post has perked up and taken notice. Continue reading

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Taking the Teeth Out of Federal HOV/HOT Performance Requirements

In the MAP-21 surface transportation reauthorization bill enacted in 2012, Congress required FHWA to actually start enforcing its standard for the performance of federally assisted HOV and HOT lanes. Specifically, that the average speed in such lanes during peak periods must exceed 45 mph at least 90% of the time during any 180-day period. State DOTs would thenceforth be required to take action within 180 days to remedy the failing status of such lanes by either: (1) increasing the HOV occupancy requirement, (2) increasing the toll rate (if it’s a HOT lane), or (3) adding lane capacity. In the December 2012 issue of this newsletter, I commended the new provision as “a gift from Congress for HOV and HOT lanes,” because the threat of sanctions would give state DOTs a defensible reason to do what they were reluctant to do on their own: increase the HOV occupancy requirement “because the feds made us do it.” This, I expected, would lead to a lot more HOV to HOT conversions. Continue reading

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Coal Industry on the Rocks, Other Fossil Fuels Targeted

The great white environmentalist sharks smell blood in the water. It’s gushing from mortally wounded US coal companies that the Obama EPA has gutted as sacrifices on the altar of “dangerous man-made climate change” prevention and other spurious health, ecological … Continue reading

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The Tax Rates of Wall Streeters and Steelworkers

During a rousing speech in Pittsburgh on Labor Day, Joe Biden said: “Why in God’s name should a man or woman working in a steel mill making $50,000 a year pay a higher [tax] rate than someone who makes tens of … Continue reading

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