A Hydraulically Fractured Republic: Fracking Regulation in the Age of Environmental Federalism

By Jon Burkart (PO ’24) Before a crowd in Pittsburgh, Joe Biden promised voters: “I am not banning fracking. Let me say that again: I am not banning fracking.” It’s no wonder then, that running-mate Senator Kamala Harris was quick to reiterate Biden’s stance during the October 8th Vice-Presidential debate. The industry that employs nearly 32,000…

A Morally Bankrupt System: Student Loans Post-BAPCPA

By Jon Burkart (PO ’24) “A $1.5 trillion crisis” “…exceeds accumulated car loans and even credit card debt” “…43 million Americans held federal student loans” “…roughly seven million borrowers are in default” Year after year, these punchy phrases populate news headlines, underscoring the unending specter of student loans in America. The crisis continues to grow…