Goldwater Institute
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Goldwater Institute is a Phoenix, Arizona-based think tank established in 1988. The Goldwater Institute advances conservative policies, including low taxes, limited government spending, and the end or sharp reduction in government-provided social services such as health care and Social Security. It asserts that it is "an independent, nonpartisan research and educational organization dedicated to the study of public policy in Arizona." Goldwater Institute staff members assert that their public policies are based on the principles championed by the late Senator Barry Goldwater such as "individual rights, economic freedom, and a government of strictly limited powers." The Goldwater Institute works to keep watch on government and to expand educational voucher programs, reduce taxes, and protect private property. It has 8 full-time employees. In addition, the Goldwater Institute has a number of affiliated senior fellows, including Carrie Lukas, Dan Lips, and Gordon Tullock.
Contents |
[edit] Financial support
Although the Goldwater Institute claims the support of hundreds of Arizonans, 80 percent of the Institute's funding comes from fewer than three dozen right-of-center foundations and individuals according to recent IRS 990 forms. The Institute neither seeks nor accepts government funds, but, like all tax-exempt 501(c)(3) foundations, benefits from tax-free contributions. Its 2005 revenues were just under $1.4 million.
[edit] Issues
On education reform, the Goldwater Institute has published articles critical of the AIMS standards-based test, in favor of the No Child Left Behind Act, in favor of vouchers for higher education, and opposed to bilingual education.
On economic policy, the Goldwater Institute has published articles favoring supply-side economics, popularized by Arthur Laffer, tax cuts, and spending reductions.
On constitutional policy, the Goldwater Institute has been critical of Arizona's Clean Elections system and campaign finance reform in general and has criticized government abuse of eminent domain power.
The Goldwater Institute has also come out against bans on the use of tobacco in public establishments.
