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FIRE

Out of the Storm News Round-Up

Out of the Storm News is the Heartland Institute’s site from the Center on Finance, Insurance and Real Estate. Here is a weekly round-up of some of the best recent pieces from what we affectionately call OOTS News.

New Financial and Insurance Reforms Likely to Come from White House

Financial experts argue that the next wave of insurance and finance reforms will come from the White House and not Congress. Which direction will the Obama Administration take the country?

Senate Dems Seeking to Add Build America Bonds to Bush Tax Deal

Out of the Storm News recently wrote about the increasing levels of debt that the Build America Bonds were creating for both state and local governments. The municipal bond subsidy, which Steven Malanga called a “debt bomb” is now being pushed by several Senate Democrats to be included in the tax agreement being hammered out between the Obama administration and Congressional Republicans.

On Amish Roofers

Arin Greenwood discusses a fascinating Insurance Journal story about the culture clash in Philadelphia’s suburbs, where Amish roofers have become a big enough commercial force to get non-Amish roofers complaining about unfair competition.

Can Credit Unions Fill the Gap in Small Business Lending?

A new story from OOTS News examines a new proposal to expand the ability of credit unions to lend to their member businesses. Can it fill the gap in small business lending?

Morbid – but Awesome: Brad Laybourne is in Favor of Celebrity Death Pools

Brad Laybourne examines celebrity death pools, questioning why they have been outlawed.

— Matthew Glans

Matthew Glans is the Midwest Director, Center on Finance, Insurance and Real Estate at The Heartland Institute. Glans joined the staff of The Heartland Institute in November 2007 as Heartland’s Legislative Specialist on Insurance and Finance. Glans’ responsibilities include interacting with elected officials and staff on insurance and finance issues; tracking new legislation; and drafting responses to emerging issues via talking points, news releases, and op-ed pieces, with the goal of educating legislators and informing them about free-market ideas. Glans earned a Master’s degree in political studies from the University of Illinois at Springfield. He also graduated from Bradley University with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in political science. Before coming to Heartland, Glans worked for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services in its legislative affairs office in Springfield. Glans also worked as a Congressional Intern in U.S. Representative Henry Hyde’s Washington D.C. office in 2004.