Wayne H Winegarden
Business & Economics
Housing Unaffordability Is A Policy Choice Not A Technology Problem
Trying to deflect the blame for the growing problem of housing affordability, politicians across the country are channeling their inner Captain Louis Renault and “rounding up the usual suspects”. In this case, the usual suspects are property landlords using algorithmic software to better understand the local market dynamics. Read the ...
Wayne H Winegarden
February 11, 2025
California
California’s Rash Plastic Lawsuit Is Anti-Growth And Anti-Environment
California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s plastics lawsuit against ExxonMobil may be astute politics but it is terrible policy. This lawsuit is rife with contradictions. Frivolous lawsuits are also a large and growing pall hanging over the economy. Read the entire op-ed:
Wayne H Winegarden
February 10, 2025
Business & Economics
President Trump’s Tariffs Will Harm Your Pocketbook
President Trump fired the first shot of a trade war by imposing 25% tariffs on Canada and 10% tariffs on China, which will take effect on February 4 as of this writing. It also announced 25% tariffs on Mexico, but implementation has been delayed a month while the Administration negotiates ...
Wayne H Winegarden
February 3, 2025
Commentary
The Dangers Hidden In CMS’ Drug Pricing Regulation
CMS recently announced the next 15 drugs that will be subject to price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). These are negotiations in name only because CMS can levy penalties on any manufacturer that fails to comply with the process. Since the penalties include an excise tax ...
Wayne H Winegarden
January 22, 2025
California
Newsom promises efficient and accountable state budget, delivers bloated and ineffective spending plan
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday unveiled the initial details of his $322.2 billion state budget proposal for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Based on his presentation, Californians should be worried. He claims that his budget will promote an “efficient and leaner” government, yet his plan is neither. The Newsom budget would ...
Wayne H Winegarden
January 7, 2025
Business & Economics
Learn more about Trump's tax plan
How Trump’s Tax Plan Could Affect the Middle Class
Another key factor among the 2017 tax law changes enacted during Trump’s first term was the provision that brought the U.S. corporate income tax rates in line with those levied in Europe and Asia. “This tax reduction improved U.S. economic competitiveness, accelerating income growth for middle-class families,” said Wayne Winegarden, ...
Wayne H Winegarden
November 27, 2024
Commentary
Learn more about rebates
Are rebates the best use of tax dollars?
Californians who meet specific income thresholds may be eligible to receive rebates of $4,000 and up to $8,000 if they buy electric heat pumps for their homes. But the Pacific Research Institute, a Pasadena think tank that espouses free-market solutions to policy matters, questions whether the rebate program is a good ...
Wayne H Winegarden
November 15, 2024
California
Learn more about California's high gas prices
California’s Regulatory Assault On Drivers Continues
Californians already suffering from significantly higher gas prices will be dismayed to learn that the regulatory state has decided to make things worse. For the rest of the country, the changes stand as a stark warning. Last week, the California Air Resources Board, known as CARB, voted to increase the ...
Wayne H Winegarden
November 13, 2024
Commentary
Learn more about how the LCFS will hurt families
Changes to California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Will Cost Families Dearly
The California Air Resources Board should go back to the drawing board rather than expand a policy that would raise gas prices without meaningfully lowering emissions. At issue is an upcoming vote where this group of unelected bureaucrats will update California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, effectively driving prices at the ...
Wayne H Winegarden
November 6, 2024
Commentary
Learn more about how environmental lawfare hurts consumers
Private firms, states use tobacco lawsuit playbook in energy cases
But a far more potent weapon is being deployed against energy companies: A cadre of liberal lawyers, environmental activists, and attorneys general from Democratic states and municipalities are systematically suing energy companies and demanding multibillion-dollar payouts. Their efforts have not risen to a top-tier concern in American politics, but that ...
Wayne H Winegarden
November 4, 2024
Housing Unaffordability Is A Policy Choice Not A Technology Problem
Trying to deflect the blame for the growing problem of housing affordability, politicians across the country are channeling their inner Captain Louis Renault and “rounding up the usual suspects”. In this case, the usual suspects are property landlords using algorithmic software to better understand the local market dynamics. Read the ...
California’s Rash Plastic Lawsuit Is Anti-Growth And Anti-Environment
California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s plastics lawsuit against ExxonMobil may be astute politics but it is terrible policy. This lawsuit is rife with contradictions. Frivolous lawsuits are also a large and growing pall hanging over the economy. Read the entire op-ed:
President Trump’s Tariffs Will Harm Your Pocketbook
President Trump fired the first shot of a trade war by imposing 25% tariffs on Canada and 10% tariffs on China, which will take effect on February 4 as of this writing. It also announced 25% tariffs on Mexico, but implementation has been delayed a month while the Administration negotiates ...
The Dangers Hidden In CMS’ Drug Pricing Regulation
CMS recently announced the next 15 drugs that will be subject to price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). These are negotiations in name only because CMS can levy penalties on any manufacturer that fails to comply with the process. Since the penalties include an excise tax ...
Newsom promises efficient and accountable state budget, delivers bloated and ineffective spending plan
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday unveiled the initial details of his $322.2 billion state budget proposal for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Based on his presentation, Californians should be worried. He claims that his budget will promote an “efficient and leaner” government, yet his plan is neither. The Newsom budget would ...
Learn more about Trump's tax plan
How Trump’s Tax Plan Could Affect the Middle Class
Another key factor among the 2017 tax law changes enacted during Trump’s first term was the provision that brought the U.S. corporate income tax rates in line with those levied in Europe and Asia. “This tax reduction improved U.S. economic competitiveness, accelerating income growth for middle-class families,” said Wayne Winegarden, ...
Learn more about rebates
Are rebates the best use of tax dollars?
Californians who meet specific income thresholds may be eligible to receive rebates of $4,000 and up to $8,000 if they buy electric heat pumps for their homes. But the Pacific Research Institute, a Pasadena think tank that espouses free-market solutions to policy matters, questions whether the rebate program is a good ...
Learn more about California's high gas prices
California’s Regulatory Assault On Drivers Continues
Californians already suffering from significantly higher gas prices will be dismayed to learn that the regulatory state has decided to make things worse. For the rest of the country, the changes stand as a stark warning. Last week, the California Air Resources Board, known as CARB, voted to increase the ...
Learn more about how the LCFS will hurt families
Changes to California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Will Cost Families Dearly
The California Air Resources Board should go back to the drawing board rather than expand a policy that would raise gas prices without meaningfully lowering emissions. At issue is an upcoming vote where this group of unelected bureaucrats will update California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, effectively driving prices at the ...
Learn more about how environmental lawfare hurts consumers
Private firms, states use tobacco lawsuit playbook in energy cases
But a far more potent weapon is being deployed against energy companies: A cadre of liberal lawyers, environmental activists, and attorneys general from Democratic states and municipalities are systematically suing energy companies and demanding multibillion-dollar payouts. Their efforts have not risen to a top-tier concern in American politics, but that ...