Publications Library

A Major Research Study of Revenue Dependence, Intergovernmental Transfers, and Long-Term Public-Sector Resilience

Lester, Roger

This report examines how reliance on external revenue sources, intergovernmental transfers, and concentrated funding streams affects fiscal stability, institutional independence, and long-term public-sector resilience.

A Targeted, Income-Based Approach to Protecting Ohio Homeowners and Renters From Excessive Property Tax Burdens

Lester, Roger

This policy framework evaluates an income-based property tax circuit breaker for Ohio. It examines eligibility, benefit design, renter inclusion, funding, administration, and safeguards to provide targeted relief while…

A legislative proposal to strengthen property valuation fairness through advance notice, optional onsite inspection, accessible appeal procedures, and reimbursement of reasonable costs when a property owner successfully challenges an inaccurate valuation

Lester, Roger

The Future Appeals Accessibility Act is a property valuation fairness and appeals-access proposal. It does not reduce tax rates, cap levies, or function as a property tax cut. The Act requires property owners to receive…

A Policy Framework for Homestead Relief, Property Tax Stability, and Housing Security

Lester, Roger

This policy framework proposes targeted property tax protections for senior and disabled homeowners in Ohio through expanded homestead relief, income-based tax stability credits, assessment shock protections, and…

Transparency, Assessment Legitimacy, and Taxpayer Accessibility in a Changing Housing Environment

Lester, Roger

This framework outlines the modernization of Ohio's property tax administration systems to enhance transparency, accessibility, and procedural fairness while maintaining operational sustainability for local governments…

A Policy Research Report on Affordability, Local Governance, Institutional Legitimacy, and Fiscal Sustainability

Lester, Roger

Ohio’s property tax system is facing increasing pressure from rising reassessments, housing affordability concerns, local government fiscal dependency, and growing public dissatisfaction with institutional processes…

An Act to impose clear obligations on entities that collect and use personal data, require disclosure of data sources, mandate timely deletion upon request, and establish penalties for misuse contributing to identity theft and fraud

Lester, Roger

This policy establishes enforceable consumer protections over personal data by requiring companies to disclose the source of information used for commercial contact, provide timely acknowledgment and deletion upon…

A Federal Policy Framework for Time-Sensitive Treatment Access in Medicare, Medicaid, and Marketplace Plans

Lester, Roger

The Continuity of Stabilizing Treatment Act of 2026 proposes a federal continuity-first standard requiring certain medically necessary stabilizing treatments to begin immediately when delay could risk patient…

Strengthening Credit Market Resilience, Household Stability, and Borrower Protections Through National Standards

Lester, Roger

American households increasingly rely on consumer credit to absorb routine financial shocks such as job loss, reduced work hours, medical expenses, and unexpected emergencies. Yet when hardship occurs, federal consumer…

Leveraging Municipal Systems to Stabilize Households, Coordinate Hardship Response, and Prevent Long-Term Debt

Lester, Roger

Cleveland residents are increasingly relying on credit to manage everyday financial shocks—but when hardship hits, the system often makes things worse. Interest continues to accrue, fees pile up, and relief remains…

Structural State-Level Reforms to Prevent Debt Escalation and Strengthen Household Financial Stability

Lester, Roger

Across Ohio, families rely on credit to manage everyday financial shocks—but when hardship hits, the system often makes things worse. Interest continues, fees pile up, and inconsistent lender practices leave borrowers…

Structural reforms to stabilize borrowers during financial shocks and prevent long-term debt persistence

Lester, Roger

This research proposes a federal framework for standardized consumer credit hardship protections to prevent temporary financial shocks from escalating into long-term debt. It introduces mandatory relief…

Structural reforms to stabilize borrowers during financial shocks and prevent long-term debt persistence

Lester, Roger

This research proposes a federal framework for standardized consumer credit hardship protections to prevent temporary financial shocks from escalating into long-term debt. It introduces mandatory relief…

Structural reforms to prevent long-term debt accumulation and improve financial resilience for American households

Lester, Roger — Founder

This research proposes a structural reform of consumer credit to reduce long-term debt accumulation and improve household financial stability. It introduces a three-part framework: eliminating compounding interest on…

Fiscal Pressures, Population Aging, and Policy Pathways for Long-Term Stability

Lester, Roger — Founder

Demographic aging is reducing the worker-to-beneficiary ratio while increasing system costs. Without reform, major social insurance programs face funding shortfalls within the next decade. A balanced policy approach is…

Income Distribution, Demographic Change, and Long-Term Structural Pressures on U.S. Social Insurance Programs

Roger Lester

Structural economic and demographic changes are placing long-term pressure on Social Security financing. This research brief examines the underlying trends shaping program solvency and provides analytical context for…

Public Reason Institute Policy Research Team

H.R. 1547 proposes two major reforms affecting federal benefits programs governed by the Social Security Act. First, it would require the Department of Homeland Security to notify the Social Security Administration…

A federal legislative proposal establishing a continuity-first standard for clinically necessary stabilizing treatments within federally regulated health programs. The framework ensures that patients receiving…

The Continuity of Stabilizing Treatment Act establishes a continuity-first standard for clinically necessary therapy within Ohio-regulated health plans. The proposal preserves insurer utilization review authority while…

A constitutional and institutional analysis accompanying the Violence Prevention, Accountability, and Constitutional Safeguards Act, outlining governance architecture, civil liberty protections, and structural…

A constitutional, fiscal, and implementation analysis accompanying the Social Security and Medicare Fairness and Solvency Act, outlining statutory authority, actuarial structure, and institutional safeguards.

A Constitutional Framework for Violence Prevention Through Accountability, Enforcement, and Institutional Learning

Lester, Roger

The Violence Prevention, Accountability, and Constitutional Safeguards Act is a constitutional public-safety framework focused on reducing violent misuse through enforcement, institutional accountability, and prevention…

To permanently secure Social Security, modernize its revenue base, protect beneficiaries’ purchasing power, and ensure Medicare affordability without reducing earned benefits.