Kristen De Pena

Kristen De Pena is an Associate Writer with Sunshine Review and State Budget Solutions. She is currently studying Economics and Market-Based Management in the Koch Associate Program. Kristen is a recent graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law and is licensed to practice in Utah. She graduated from Cornell College with a B.A. in Political Science and Political Relations. She worked as a law clerk with LaMarca & Landry, P.C. in Des Moines, Iowa and as an intern with the Alaska State Bar Association in Anchorage, Alaska. In 2005, Kristen also worked as a lobbying intern on Capitol Hill with Pearson & Pipkin, Inc., through The Washington Center Program.

  • BLOG: ILLINOIS, NEBRASKA, SOUTH CAROLINA, FLORIDA, CALIFORNIA, INDIANA

    The Love Affair Between Government & Business

    by Kristen De Pena | February 14, 2012

    On February 14th, we celebrate love, family, and our partners. When it comes to celebrating partners, state governments have a number of Valentines. Because state governments continue to award the sweetest deals to their sweethearts, big business, they are never alone in love on Valentine's Day.

  • Editorials: ILLINOIS

    Illinois Loves Its Sweethearts

    by KRISTEN DE PENA | Tuesday, February 14, 2012

    Love is in the air, but not just for romantic couples. In Illinois, Governor Quinn and the Illinois General Assembly love giving tax breaks to keep big business in Illinois.

  • Illinois Loves Its Sweethearts

    by Kristen De Pena | February 14, 2012

    Love is in the air, but not just for romantic couples. In Illinois, Governor Quinn and the Illinois General Assembly love giving tax breaks to keep big business in Illinois.  Read more about the love fest in the beleaguered state here.

  • Editorials: NEW JERSEY

    Is State Debt Constitutional?

    by BOB WILLIAMS, KRISTEN DE PENA | Monday, February 6, 2012

    It is time for New Jersey to follow the provisions in the state Constitution, the highest law of the state, and both address their massive deficit and create more responsible budgets in the future.

  • Headlines: CALIFORNIA, NEW JERSEY, HAWAII

    Is State Debt Constitutional?

    State Budget Solutions | by Kristen De Pena | February 6, 2012

    An analysis of the state constitutional debt provisions in California, New Jersey and Hawaii, and the debt that these states face in spite of those provisions.


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