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NYC Parking Under Bloomberg: Bright Potential, Blighted Past
February 3, 2012, 7:41pmThis morning Juan Gonzalez of the New York Daily News writes: "The firm that built and manages the new Yankee Stadium parking garages can’t repay $237 million in tax-exempt bonds the Bloomberg administration arranged for it four years ago, new financial records show." However, there is a kernel of optimism in that the Mayor's office is considering leveraging additional city parking assets that actually would create value for residents and motorists.
Innovators in Action (Jan 2012 edition): Tulsa, Oklahoma Mayor Dewey Bartlett, Jr.
January 13, 2012, 12:02pmIn the latest installment of Reason Foundation's Innovators in Action series, Tulsa, Oklahoma Mayor Dewey Bartlett, Jr. offers his reflections on tackling the city's fiscal challenges by embracing innovation, competition and market-based policies. In the article, Mayor Bartlett details the bleak fiscal situation his administration walked into two years ago, his proactive approach to developing solutions and a number of the administration's implementation successes to date. In short, Mayor Bartlett is applying the tools of competition—such as competitive sourcing and public-private partnerships—to deliver better value to taxpayers and right the city's fiscal course.
Tulsa: Open for Business
Tackling city's challenges requires willingness to embrace innovation, competition and market ideas
January 13, 2012Dewey Bartlett, Jr.
Mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma
On my first day in office, my finance director greeted me with the sober news that, after ten consecutive months of declining sales tax revenues, all previous measures to balance the city budget had failed to stop the real threat of deficit spending. We quickly discerned that the city government had not prepared for times such as these. City government had grown too big, it cost too much, it was doing too much, and it had made commitments and promises to our government employee unions that could not be kept. We clearly understood our challenge—maintain fiscal solvency while providing essential government services. My vision was equally clear—to restore, redirect and reform government services to prevent Tulsa from ever again finding itself in this vulnerable situation.
Annual Privatization Report 2008
Reason Foundation's 22nd annual analysis of privatization and outsourcing
August 1, 2008
Privatization remains a key policy focus as public officials grapple with deteriorating fiscal conditions, according to Reason Foundation's Annual Privatization Report 2008. With as many as 23 states potentially facing budget deficits in fiscal 2009, state governments are increasingly looking for ways to cut costs without cutting services. Enter the private sector.
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- Tulsa: Open for Business
Tackling city's challenges requires willingness to embrace innovation, competition and market ideas
Dewey Bartlett, Jr.
Mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma
January 13, 2012 - University of Kentucky Smart to Explore Private Sector for New Campus Housing
Public-private partnerships are saving taxpayers money and helping universities provide better services.
Leonard Gilroy and Harris Kenny
December 15, 2011 - Embrace Competition to Lower Costs, Improve Performance in Prisons
Private sector can drive efficiency, improve offender rehabilitation and save taxpayer money
Leonard Gilroy
October 12, 2011 - Democrats Dump on Private Libraries
Bill aims to discourage partnerships that can offset cutbacks.
Harris Kenny
September 19, 2011 - Time to Eliminate the Blight of California's Redevelopment Agencies
Examples in San Jose and other areas show how redevelopment agencies fail taxpayers
Adam Summers
April 26, 2011 - Focus on Results for Smarter Government Budgeting
Budgeting for Outcomes offers a major step forward
Leonard Gilroy
April 14, 2011 - San Francisco’s Experimental Market-Based Parking Pricing Program
City officials pursue urban congestion relief
Harris Kenny
April 12, 2011 - Competition Brings Savings
Competitive contracting a powerful tool to lower costs, help governments better serve taxpayers
Leonard Gilroy
April 4, 2011 - 2010 Highlights in Local Government Privatization
Reviewing privatization highlights in parking assets, zoos, libraries and animal shelters
Leonard Gilroy
January 5, 2011 - PIRG Report Distorts Proposed Indy Parking Meter Lease
PIRG report ignores facts, offers litany of myths and errors on proposed lease
Leonard Gilroy
November 9, 2010 - Getting Serious About Pension Reform in Atlanta
How to fix the city's massive pension problem without tax increases
Adam Summers
March 3, 2010 - Getting Government Out of the Parking Business
D.C., Richmond and other cities can benefit from parking privatization, as Chicago has
Leonard Gilroy
February 17, 2010 - Let the Private Sector Compete to Provide Public Services and Watch the Savings Roll In
Outsourcing and managed competition are proven common-sense, nonpartisan strategies for reducing costs and improving services
Leonard Gilroy and Adam Summers
February 14, 2010 - We Have to Do Better: Fiscal Challenges Demand Creative Government
Interview with Indianapolis Mayor Gregory Ballard
Leonard Gilroy
January 29, 2010 - Chicago's Parking Meter Lease: A Win-Win-Win for Motorists, Taxpayers and the City
Asset concession brings fiscal, operational, environmental benefits
Gene Saffold
January 29, 2010 - Public-Private Partnerships for Local Governments: The Sandy Springs Model
Imagine starting a new city of over 90,000 people with only two employees. We did it.
Oliver Porter
January 29, 2010 - Proposed City Water Grab Draining Scottsdale Tax Dollars
Unnecessary move bad for taxpayers
Leonard Gilroy
January 15, 2010 - Was Parking Meter Privatization a Good Deal for the Windy City? Chicago CFO Gene Saffold Responds
Reason interview with Chicago Chief Financial Officer Gene Saffold
Leonard Gilroy
December 11, 2009 - Dave Bing's Last-Second Shot
Can the former Piston star save Detroit?
Shikha Dalmia
November 10, 2009 - About That Detroit Renaissance
What chance is there for an artist-led revival in the midst of civic hemorrhage?
Shikha Dalmia
September 9, 2009 - Public Options Are Ill-Conceived
Government should leave commercial activities to the private sector
John Palatiello and Leonard Gilroy
August 26, 2009 - Time to Step It Up on Privatization in Virginia
Even seemingly privatization-resistant states turning to the private sector to help solve major fiscal, capital investment challenges
Leonard Gilroy
August 11, 2009 - Setting the Record Straight on Chicago Parking Meter Privatization
Early implementation challenges subside; L.A., Indianapolis and other cities consider similar proposals
Leonard Gilroy
August 7, 2009 - Policymakers Turn to Privatization Amid Prolonged Government Fiscal Crises
Privatization, public-private partnerships increasingly prominent in fiscal policy debates
Leonard Gilroy
August 6, 2009 - (Un)Happy New Fiscal Year
States need fundamental budget/spending reforms to weather the fiscal storm
Leonard Gilroy
July 6, 2009 - How to Reduce Atlanta's Budget Deficit
Budget makeover should include outcome-based budgeting, privatization and asset leases
Leonard Gilroy
June 21, 2009 - Collapse of Midway Deal "Not a Setback for Privatization"
MuniNet Guide Interview with Reason's Leonard Gilroy
Leonard Gilroy
April 30, 2009 - Roanoke Schools Embrace Privatization to Cut Costs, Focus on Education
Privatizing transportation will free up money for classroom
Leonard Gilroy
April 14, 2009 - Innovative Solutions Needed to Fix L.A.’s Budget
L.A. should follow Chicago's lead on public-private partnerships
Adam Summers
February 23, 2009 - Chicago Raises the Bar in Privatization, Again
Parking meter system franchise nets $1.1 billion; will bring modern meters, improve downtown traffic
Leonard Gilroy
December 23, 2008 - The Gold-Standard and the Perfect Economic Storm
Interview with former Jersey City Mayor Bret Schundler
Anthony Randazzo
December 18, 2008 - Chicago Leads the Way on Local Government Privatization
Daley initiatives generating billions of dollars to boost the city's fiscal health
Leonard Gilroy
November 19, 2008 - "Perfect Storm" Could Accelerate Privatization Trends
MuniNet Guide Interview with Reason's Leonard Gilroy
Leonard Gilroy
October 24, 2008 - Don't Count the Private Sector Out in Infrastructure
Infrastructure PPPs remain an attractive investment in the capital "flight to quality"
Leonard Gilroy
October 21, 2008 - Looking at the Year's Privatization Trends
From transportation and infrastructure to state lotteries, public-private partnerships could play big role in erasing budget deficits
Leonard Gilroy
August 7, 2008 - Scottsdale Water Condemnation Proposal Leaves a Bad Taste
Exercising eminent domain to take over private water utility is fiscally irresponsible, violates private property rights
Leonard Gilroy
June 30, 2008 - San Diego Can Benefit from Private Trash Collection
Private sector already handles over 75 percent of nation's garbage collection
Adam Summers
June 16, 2008 - Competition Can Solve Atlanta's Budget Crunch
Embracing competitive service delivery would reduce costs, improve service quality
Leonard Gilroy
March 19, 2008 - Sandy Springs Incorporates, Inspires New Wave of 'Private' Cities in Georgia
City opts to contract out nearly all government services
Steve Stanek and Leonard Gilroy
November 1, 2006 - Making Government Compete to Improve Services and Save Money
Hamilton County can teach Ohio's 87 other counties a lesson on results and performance
Geoffrey Segal and Jack Furney
June 29, 2006 - Detroit Can't Afford to Stall Privatization
Other cities save millions by forcing government services to compete
Geoffrey Segal
April 20, 2006 - Sandy Springs Redefines How Government Should Look
Officials decide whether to make or buy services
Geoffrey Segal
August 30, 2005 - What Can Maine Learn From Oliver Porter?
New GA town can teach a thing or two about governance
Geoffrey Segal
August 10, 2005 - Privatization Produces Gains in Philadelphia
District posts average gains of 10 points in reading and math
Lisa Snell
October 1, 2004 - Ambulance Controversy Astonishing, Unneeded
Contracting process doesn't need to be complicated
Adrian Moore
May 28, 2003 - Stockton: Privatize or Pay Higher Water Rates
Outsourcing would save $175 million
Geoffrey Segal
February 25, 2003 - Atlanta: Pulling the Plug on Water Deal a Mistake
City's mistake will haunt taxpayers
Geoffrey Segal
January 28, 2003 - What Can We Learn From Atlanta's Water Privatization
Lost in debate: City saving $21 million per year
Geoffrey Segal
January 21, 2003 - Edison Should Get to Run Schools Its Way
Keys to success in Philly privatization
Lisa Snell
December 12, 2001 - The Facts about Wastewater, Stormwater, and Water Contract Management in the City of Stockton
Myths and facts about water privatization
Geoffrey Segal
January 1, 1999
Local Government Blog
- NYC Parking Under Bloomberg: Bright Potential, Blighted Past (2/3)
- Innovators in Action (Jan 2012 edition): Tulsa, Oklahoma Mayor Dewey Bartlett, Jr. (1/13)
- Tulsa: Open for Business (1/13)
- University of Kentucky Smart to Explore Private Sector for New Campus Housing (12/15)
- University of Kentucky Smart to Explore Private Sector for New Campus Housing (12/15)
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