Policy Research

(February 13, 2012) The Policy Foundation has joined a legal challenge to nationalized medical insurance, joining a coalition of national and state think tanks and legislators in a friend-of-the-court brief filed today with the U.S....

A financial analysis model should be created to augment the existing Arkansas Public School System Computer Network (APSCN) accounting/reporting system, with the adequate appropriation of funds. (Murphy Commission, Policy Foundation project, 1998 recommendation)   (February...

“The State Board of Education should authorize the (Education) Director…to expend department funds for any salary-related bonus or merit raise-appropriately certified and capped as to percentage amounts-to any district…” (Murphy Commission, Policy Foundation project, 1998...

(January 2012) Eighteen states—more than one-third of the U.S.—have school choice programs serving students and parents attending private schools.1  But Arkansas does not have any private choice programs two decades after Wisconsin launched a key program...

Summary: Two reports on student performance underscore the problem: the state Department of Education has failed to acknowledge there is a problem. (January 2012) A new student performance report by the Univ. of Arkansas-Fayetteville’s Office...

(December 2011) Arkansas policymakers, pressed by fiscal conservatives have rejected an expansion of nationalized medical insurance by disbanding seven advisory groups seeking to establish a state-operated health exchange.   State officials tried to launch the...

“The following provision for Arkansas school districts is recommended: a prohibition on the use of all taxes collected and secured by the pledge of an ad valorem tax levy to debt service for other than...

“Reduce the state's income tax…repeal the state's capital gains tax.” Arkansas Policy Foundation, 1998   “This week I signed into law the Quick-Action Closing Fund. This legislation will provide our State with an additional tool...

“Reduce the state's income tax. Among the reforms, consider an across the board 10% cut...reduce the marginal rates, exempt taxpayers below a certain income level from filing, and expedite the process of indexing for inflation.”...

“Issue school-by-school performance report cards to parents and the public. Use the results of this report card to hold schools accountable--rewards for those performing on an exceptional basis and sanctions for low performing schools.”  Murphy Commission...