Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Jindal: Teachers unions have mounted ‘herculean’ effort to stop school reform
As a central piece of his education reform agenda heads to the state Supreme Court for review, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal on Tuesday unloaded on teachers unions and painted them as the biggest reason American schools continue to wallow in mediocrity. Published December 11, 2012
Report: Cash for anti-smoking efforts lacking
Anti-smoking efforts nationwide remain woefully underfunded as states squander most of their tobacco tax revenue, a major report from a coalition of public health groups shows. Published December 6, 2012
Obama’s re-election seen as vote for clean energy
A majority of Americans didn't just cast a vote for President Obama on Nov. 6. They also came down firmly on the side of renewable energy and the federal government's efforts to "level the playing field" with fossil fuels, argues the chairman of the solar power industry's leading trade group. Published December 5, 2012
Oil industry wary of Obama’s renewable-energy fervor
Huge increases in U.S. oil and gas production have put the nation on a path to energy independence, but some industry leaders fear their relationship with the Obama administration will deteriorate during the president's second term. Published December 5, 2012
Five states to boost students’ time in school
With American children continuing to lag behind their international peers, governors from both parties on Monday joined the Obama administration in embracing more classroom time for students. Published December 3, 2012
Drone plans mired in ‘privacy issues’
Frustrated commercial drone companies say the Obama administration is falling further and further behind in meeting congressional demands to clear the path for full integration into American airspace by 2015. Billions of dollars of investments as well as commercial applications for drones could be caught up in the delay, they warn. Published December 2, 2012
Indiana governor warns of foes to education reform
At the forefront of education reform in the U.S., Indiana faces an uncertain future after its trail-blazing schools chief was ousted three weeks ago and replaced by a teachers union official. Published November 28, 2012
Jeb Bush hammers teachers unions at education summit
In the fight to reform American schools, former Florida Gov. and outspoken education advocate Jeb Bush on Tuesday took direct aim at labor groups and joined a growing chorus who believe real change must start by loosening the grip of teachers unions. Published November 27, 2012
Fears over fracking spilling into popular culture
Fracking already has transformed the nation's energy landscape, but it's also begun to worm its way into American pop culture. Published November 26, 2012
Fracking industry keeps eye on Obama
The drilling process that has brought U.S. energy independence within reach faces renewed scrutiny from the Obama administration and an uncertain future in many states. Published November 22, 2012
Keystone decision will define Obama’s record on climate change
President Obama's looming decision whether to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, environmentalists argue, will define his legacy on climate change. Published November 19, 2012
Pressure intensifies for GOP to raise taxes on rich
As President Obama and Capitol Hill leaders continue negotiations to avoid the looming "fiscal cliff," top Democrats on Sunday ramped up pressure on their Republican counterparts to accept tax increases on the wealthy as part of a broader agreement. Published November 18, 2012
New GOP leaders begin intensive rebranding effort
The Republican party's young leaders on Sunday continued to distance themselves from defeated presidential candidate Mitt Romney and ramped up the effort to paint the GOP in a new light. Published November 18, 2012
U.S. poised to overtake Saudi oil production
By about 2020, the United States will overtake Saudi Arabia as the world's largest oil producer and put North America as a whole on track to become a net exporter of oil as soon as 2030, according to a report from the International Energy Agency. Published November 12, 2012
Fischer returns Nebraska Senate seat to GOP fold
In an election filled with disappointments for Republicans, the closely watched U.S. Senate race in Nebraska provided a rare bright spot. Published November 8, 2012
Keystone pipeline pushed to forefront
With a second term now in hand, President Obama no longer can delay a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline and must either side with environmentalists within his party or greenlight a major step toward North American energy independence. Published November 7, 2012
ELECTION 2012: Some Pennsylvanians snubbed by not-in-effect I.D. law
Pennsylvania's controversial photo identification law isn't yet in effect, but voters told state officials on Election Day that they were turned away from the polls because they didn't comply with it. Published November 6, 2012
Obama backers put carbon tax and other global warming efforts atop re-election agenda
While even he admits disappointment in his first-term record on the fight against climate change, President Obama continues to enjoy strong support from environmentalists who say they are confident he can deliver a carbon tax and other far-reaching measures against global warming in a second term. Published November 1, 2012
Auto workers hit Romney on China jobs remark
Mitt Romney is making a late-campaign play to win over Rust Belt voters by trying to dent President Obama's credentials on his federal auto bailout — but the claims he is making about Chrysler creating jobs in China are drawing return fire from Democrats and the auto workers union. Published October 30, 2012
Kerrey making a race of it in Nebraska
Once thought to be a lock, Republican Deb Fischer is losing her edge in the race to represent Nebraska in the U.S. Senate. Published October 30, 2012
