The Leaflet: Save the Date: America First Energy Conference 2018

Published March 22, 2018

Mark your calendar for The Heartland Institute’s America First Energy Conference at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans on Tuesday, August 7, 2018. Come join us as we delve into President Trump’s pioneering energy policies after last year’s successful event in Houston, Texas.

The America First Energy Conference 2018 will feature more than 30 presentations from acclaimed scientists, economists, elected officials, representatives from the Trump administration, and energy industry leaders. Join hundreds of state and national elected officials, think tank leaders, and policy analysts for this informative, networking opportunity.

In just over a year, President Trump’s “America First Energy Plan” has revamped U.S. climate and energy policies, spurred economic growth, and restored energy freedom. In New Orleans, we will examine Trump’s energy accomplishments so far, and explore what’s on the horizon … aside from more drilling rigs off the Louisiana shore.

As Heartland President and CEO Tim Huelskamp stated in the program for the 2017 America First Energy Conference, “We can put America first. We can take the lead in powering the world and growing our economy. We can continue guiding the protection of Earth’s air, land, and water.”

Admission is free for regulators, elected officials, and legislative staff. A limited number of hotel accommodations and travel scholarships will be available for lawmakers who are members of Heartland’s Legislative Forum. Conference registration for legislators and staff will open May 7. To RSVP before registration begins, please contact Arianna Wilkerson, government relations coordinator, at [email protected] or call 312/377-4000.

Disclaimer: This event is not affiliated with the American Legislative Exchange Council’s Annual Meeting.

 

What We’re Working On

Education
Strike Voucher Would Help Keep Oklahoma Students in Classrooms during Teacher Walkouts
In this Research & Commentary, Policy Analyst Tim Benson and Lennie Jarratt, Heartland’s project manager for the Center for Transforming Education, propose solutions to a potential statewide, illegal teachers strike by the Oklahoma Education Association, which would begin on April 2. Benson and Jarratt describe how strike vouchers and Student Opportunity Scholarships could prevent future strikes and keep Oklahoma children in their classrooms while unions, state officials, and school districts duke it out in the collective bargaining process. 

Budget & Tax
Research & Commentary: States Continue to Enact Disruptive Sales Tax Holidays
Senior Policy Analyst Matthew Glans describes how sales tax holidays are an accounting trick that rewards businesses more than consumers in this Research & Commentary. “A state that has a competitive sales tax system does not need sales tax holidays. State legislators should focus on creating a permanent, less-complicated sales tax system that benefits consumers with lower rates, instead of using a temporary tax gimmick that benefits only a small number of companies,” wrote Glans.

Health Care
Research & Commentary: New Hampshire Considers Rolling Back Medicaid Expansion
In this Research & Commentary, State Government Relations Manager Charlie Katebi discusses a proposal to reform New Hampshire’s Medicaid program by implementing work requirements for able-bodied, childless adults. “By limiting Medicaid exclusively to those in need, New Hampshire would ensure its program is well-equipped to provide a reliable safety net for the state’s truly vulnerable,” wrote Katebi.

Energy & Environment
Coal is Green
Fred Palmer, Heartland’s senior fellow for energy and climate, debunks coal energy myths in the latest video installment of Flashes of Freedom. In a pithy manner, Palmer dispels the notion that coal is “dirty” because state-of-the art, clean coal power plants emit almost zero emissions. Palmer also discredits the idea that carbon dioxide is “dirty,” arguing CO2 is a “benign gas required for life on Earth.”

From Our Free Market Friends
Sell Lands, Fund Schools
The Cascade Policy Institute released a new study on Oregon’s 1.5 million acre portfolio of Common School Trust Lands (CSTL). If Oregon sold its CSTL holdings, the Common School Fund would increase 600 percent. Oregon only makes $4.25 per acre, which is the lowest among nine western states with CSTL portfolios. Between 2013 and 2015, Oregon’s CSTL portfolio lost more than a $1 million in net operating income. CSTL mismanagement and low sales figures leads to fewer funds for Oregon’s public schools. Lobbying and litigation from environmental groups also decreased Oregon’s CSTL returns. These groups contend that commodity production is outdated, unnecessary and wish to end the sale of public lands.

 

 

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