Lessons from the Rock

Previous seismic models had drastically underestimated the risks of earthquake damage. The R Street Institute, a think-tank, notes that the insured losses from the Northridge earthquake were more than four times the sum of premiums collected by earthquake insurers in the 25 years leading up to the earthquake. Insurance premiums shot up and potential pay-outs as a percentage of overall property values declined.

Featured Publications

Op-Eds Budget and Spending Reform, Governance, South, State Policy

State seeks to protect taxpayers from bargain-bin boondoggles

Marc Hyden March 24, 2025 The Newnan Times-Herald

Op-Eds Executive Branch, Federal Government Affairs, Governance, Restoring the First Branch

Not every Trump move is authoritarian — focus on the real threats

Eli Lehrer March 10, 2025 The Hill

Op-Eds California, Harm Reduction, Opioid Harm Reduction, State Policy

To slow overdose deaths, California needs more flexibility

Stacey McKenna March 10, 2025 The Orange County Register

In the News Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, Electronic Monitoring, Federal Government Affairs, Home Confinement, Parole, Pretrial, Prosecution, Reentry, Sentencing

First steps, second terms: Trump and criminal justice reform

Lisel Petis March 21, 2025 Washington Examiner

Op-Eds California, Catastrophe Insurance, Insurance, Insurance Regulation, State Policy

State insurance crisis: Ricardo Lara emerges as an unsung hero

Steven Greenhut March 21, 2025 The Orange County Register

Analysis Banking, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Government Affairs, Finance and Trade, Housing Finance, Regulatory Reform

Liberty Requires Responsibility

Caroline Melear March 21, 2025

Analysis Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, Policing

Give Me Police Legitimacy or Give Me Death

Sarah Anderson March 21, 2025

Analysis Harm Reduction, Opioid Harm Reduction, Tobacco Harm Reduction

“Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death”—For People Who Use Drugs, It’s Literal

Stacey McKenna March 21, 2025

Analysis Electoral Reform, Federal Government Affairs, Governance, Restoring the First Branch

R Street Echoes Patrick Henry’s Call

Jonathan Madison March 21, 2025

Analysis AI Security, Cyber Threats, Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Policy, Data Security and Data Privacy, Online Content Policy, Technology and Innovation

“Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” What Patrick Henry’s Rhetoric Means in the Digital Age

Haiman Wong March 21, 2025