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How to Avoid Closing Washington State Parks
May 17, 2013, 1:57pmMany thanks to the Washington Policy Center for publishing my legislative memo today on how to avoid the closure of dozens of Washington State parks, as Gov. Inslee has proposed if his tax increase package fails to advance
Rethinking Washington State Parks: How to Avoid Governor Inslee’s Plan to Close 60 State Parks
Antiquated, top-down management model is unsustainable; private sector can play major role
May 17, 2013The century-old, top-down model of state parks operated and managed by state parks agencies is not sustainable and needs to be replaced by an approach in which the parks agency sets the mission for the parks system and then serves as a coordinator to arrange the right blend of public and private sector operators on a park-by-park basis.
Why is the CDC Being Anti-Science on State Liquor Privatization?
May 14, 2013, 2:26pmPolicymakers and citizens in the 17 "control" states like Pennsylvania should take the CDC's anti-privatization stance with a major grain of salt, as it rests on a dubious scientific foundation.
Louisiana Republicans Introduce Bills to Replicate Massachusetts's Pro-Union, Anti-Privatization “Pacheco Law”
May 9, 2013, 7:36pmMy latest column offers a critique of two bills introduced in the Louisiana legislature that are modeled after the Massachusetts "Pacheco Law," which is widely regarded as the most onerous and stringent anti-privatization law in the country.
Louisiana Republicans Introduce Bills to Replicate Massachusetts's Pro-Union, Anti-Privatization “Pacheco Law”
Bills would effectively shut down use of privatization, competitive contracting to lower costs of government
May 9, 2013Two proposed bills introduced in the Louisiana legislature raise serious barriers to fiscal responsibility, as the bills would effectively shut down the ability of the current and future governors to use the proven tool of competitive contracting to lower the costs of state government. Given the similarity to a 1993 law enacted in Massachusetts at the behest of government employee unions—and which has stymied privatization efforts in that state for two decades since—a more appropriate title for the proposed Louisiana bills would be the "Louisiana Government Employee Protection Act."
Are Federal Contractors Immune from Tort Suits Just Because the Government Is?
Reviewing recent developments in government contractor immunity
May 9, 2013An important question in contracting out is always how the contractors’ legal regime differs from the government’s. There are accountability mechanisms in the private sector, but they generally differ from the ones available in the public sector; similarly, the availability of money damages can sometimes change dramatically when a service is contracted out.
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- Rethinking Washington State Parks: How to Avoid Governor Inslee’s Plan to Close 60 State Parks
Antiquated, top-down management model is unsustainable; private sector can play major role
Leonard Gilroy
May 17, 2013 - Louisiana Republicans Introduce Bills to Replicate Massachusetts's Pro-Union, Anti-Privatization “Pacheco Law”
Bills would effectively shut down use of privatization, competitive contracting to lower costs of government
Leonard Gilroy
May 9, 2013 - Are Federal Contractors Immune from Tort Suits Just Because the Government Is?
Reviewing recent developments in government contractor immunity
Alexander Volokh
May 9, 2013 - 2012 Corrections Privatization Overview
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Criminal Justice and Corrections
Leonard Gilroy
May 6, 2013 - State and International Corrections Privatization Update
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Criminal Justice and Corrections
Leonard Gilroy and Harris Kenny
May 6, 2013 - State and Local Correctional Healthcare Privatization Update
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Criminal Justice and Corrections
Harris Kenny
May 6, 2013 - The Emergence of Social Impact Bonds: Paying for Success in Social Service Innovation
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: State Government Privatization
Leonard Gilroy
April 22, 2013 - State Budget Update
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: State Government Privatization
Leonard Gilroy
April 22, 2013 - Privatization of State Lottery Management
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: State Government Privatization
Leonard Gilroy
April 22, 2013 - California Pioneers Public-Private Partnerships for Private Operation of State Parks
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: State Government Privatization
Leonard Gilroy
April 22, 2013 - Higher Education Public-Private Partnerships Update
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: State Government Privatization
Leonard Gilroy
April 22, 2013 - State Liquor Privatization Update
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: State Government Privatization
Leonard Gilroy
April 22, 2013 - Social Infrastructure Public-Private Partnerships Update
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: State Government Privatization
Leonard Gilroy
April 22, 2013 - Child Welfare Privatization Update
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: State Government Privatization
Lisa Snell
April 22, 2013 - State Privatization News and Notes
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: State Government Privatization
Leonard Gilroy
April 22, 2013 - Major PPP Highway Projects
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Surface Transportation
Robert Poole
April 8, 2013 - Leasing Existing Toll Roads
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Surface Transportation
Robert Poole
April 8, 2013 - Managed Lanes and Networks
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Surface Transportation
Robert Poole
April 8, 2013 - Federal Reauthorization—MAP-21
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Surface Transportation
Robert Poole
April 8, 2013 - State PPP Enabling Legislation
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Surface Transportation
Robert Poole
April 8, 2013 - Transportation Infrastructure Finance 2012
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Surface Transportation
Robert Poole
April 8, 2013 - Private Activity Bonds
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Surface Transportation
Robert Poole
April 8, 2013 - Supreme Court Clarifies Standards for Qualified Immunity in Civil Rights Cases -- Or Does It?
Despite Filarsky ruling, qualified immunity in the privatization context will likely remain confusing
Alexander Volokh
April 5, 2013 - What a Recent Labor-Relations Decision Teaches Us About the Meaning of “Public” and “Private”
Alexander Volokh
March 21, 2013 - Supreme Court Antitrust Ruling Supports Public-Private Neutrality, Reduces Barriers to Privatization
Alexander Volokh
February 21, 2013 - Base California's Budget on Performance, Not Politics
To Gov. Brown, it's more responsible for the state government to just keep spending money on autopilot without wasting time measuring effectiveness or reviewing results
Leonard Gilroy
January 29, 2013 - ‘Yellow Pages Test’ Would Ease State, Local Budget Pains
Innovative governments applying competition to service delivery, public assets
John Palatiello and Leonard Gilroy
December 31, 2012 - Privatizing Lottery Management in Pennsylvania
Interview with Pete Tartline, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Budget, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Leonard Gilroy
December 20, 2012 - California, Los Angeles Drowning in a Sea of Taxes, Regulation, and Debt
Public Knows Burdensome Regulations Are Sending Jobs to Other Cities and States
Adam Summers
December 3, 2012 - Delivering Florida's 21st Century Transportation System Through Tolling, Managed Lanes and Public-Private Partnerships
Interview with Ananth Prasad, Secretary, Florida Department of Transportation
Leonard Gilroy
November 21, 2012 - Addressing Ohio's Transportation Funding Challenges Through Streamlining, Public-Private Partnerships
Interview with Jerry Wray, Director, Ohio Department of Transportation
Leonard Gilroy
November 13, 2012 - The Incremental Approach to Privatization
Incremental advances help build the case for longer-term privatization
Leonard Gilroy
October 3, 2012 - To Avoid Massive Tax Hikes, Privatize State Lotteries
An innovative new lottery privatization model is emerging.
Leonard Gilroy and Harris Kenny
August 30, 2012 - Washington State Approves Privatization of State Liquor Monopoly; Other States May Follow
Washington State to become first state to fully privatize state's wholesale, retail liquor monopoly
Leonard Gilroy
May 31, 2012 - Creating a Culture of Competition to Improve Corrections
Interview with Gary Mohr, Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Leonard Gilroy
May 31, 2012 - Privately Operated Zoos Now Considered the Standard
North Carolina, Los Angeles, Grand Rapids and Elsewhere Exploring Zoo Partnerships
Harris Kenny
May 29, 2012 - States and Cities Going Private With Infrastructure Investment
Leonard Gilroy and Harris Kenny
May 24, 2012 - States Exploring Private Lottery Management
Illinois launched a groundbreaking privatization of lottery management in 2011 to increase revenues. Other states eye similar deals
Leonard Gilroy
May 21, 2012 - Puerto Rico Building Robust Infrastructure Privatization Program
Puerto Rico advanced public-private partnerships in schools, highways and aviation in 2011
Leonard Gilroy
May 15, 2012 - Christie Administration Expanded Privatization Portfolio in New Jersey in 2011
Initiatives advanced in toll collection, road maintenance, racing facilities and more
Leonard Gilroy
May 15, 2012 - Jindal Continued Louisiana Privatization Push in 2011
Initiatives advanced in Medicaid, public employee health care and more
Leonard Gilroy
May 15, 2012 - Kasich Administration Advanced Privatization in Ohio in 2011
Initiatives advanced in economic development, asset realignment and more
Leonard Gilroy
May 15, 2012 - Competition Would Improve North Carolina's Correctional Healthcare Delivery
Letter to the Editor Submitted to The News & Observer
Harris Kenny
May 9, 2012 - Tunnel Project Needs to Move Ahead
Improvements are vital to mobility, port commerce and regional economy
Shirley Ybarra and Leonard Gilroy
April 13, 2012 - Midtown Tunnel Likely Dies without Tolls
Private financing is best path forward for tunnel expansion, highway improvements
Leonard Gilroy and Baruch Feigenbaum
April 13, 2012 - Offering State and Local Governments New Tools for Infrastructure Delivery in Texas
Interview with Texas State Rep. Jim Murphy
Leonard Gilroy
March 5, 2012 - Florida Correctional Healthcare Reform in Jeopardy
The state Department of Corrections should be encouraged for pursuing reform, not stifled.
Harris Kenny
February 27, 2012 - Competition Could Lower Costs of Prison Healthcare in Arizona
Letter to the Editor Submitted to the Arizona Republic
Leonard Gilroy
February 24, 2012 - Will States Toast Liquor Privatization in 2012?
Reviewing the landscape for divesting state alcohol monopolies
Leonard Gilroy
February 3, 2012 - Maryland Announces $456m PPP to Redevelop and Operate I-95 Travel Plazas
Deal a win-win for taxpayers, business, state
Leonard Gilroy
January 27, 2012 - Lawmakers Should Encourage Prison Health Competition, Not Ban It
Attempt to ban privatization of prison nurses is misguided
Leonard Gilroy and Harris Kenny
January 19, 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 - Building a World-Class Infrastructure PPP Program in Puerto Rico
Interview with David Alvarez, executive director of the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnerships Authority
Leonard Gilroy
September 8, 2011 - Florida, U.K. Innovate in Corrections Partnerships
Public-private partnerships target recidivism, rehabilitation
Leonard Gilroy
June 8, 2011 - Brown v. Plata Ruling Highlights Need for Reform (Not Tax Increases)
A multi-faceted approach is necessary to finally reform California's correctional system
Harris Kenny and Adam Summers
June 2, 2011 - 10 Myths and Facts on Transportation PPPs
Leonard Gilroy
May 31, 2011 - Focus on Results for Smarter Government Budgeting
Budgeting for Outcomes offers a major step forward
Leonard Gilroy
April 14, 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 State Government Privatization
Reviewing privatization highlights in lotteries, child welfare, social infrastructure and more
Leonard Gilroy
March 23, 2011 - Making Parks Decent Again
How the private sector can save public parks
John Stossel
December 2, 2010 - Election Night a Mixed Bag for ABC Privatization
Washington State ballot measures fail, but Pennsylvania elects pro-privatization governor
Leonard Gilroy
November 5, 2010 - AZ Office of the Auditor General Releases Provocative, but Flawed, Review of the Department of Corrections
Flawed Study Skews Public vs. Private Corrections Cost Comparison
Harris Kenny
November 4, 2010 - Reform, Transportation Trump Revenue-Neutrality: The Rationale for ABC Privatization, Part 2
Streamlining the state, investing in needed transportation should be the focus, not revenue-neutrality
Leonard Gilroy
October 7, 2010 - Utah Report Gets it Wrong on Hospital Privatization
Despite finding cost savings and expanded care through privatization, report relies on faulty logic to recommend against it
Leonard Gilroy
September 10, 2010 - The Confrontation
Drew Carey and Nick Gillespie clash with the Cleveland City Council over Reason Saves Cleveland.
Nick Gillespie
September 8, 2010 - Divesting Virginia’s Liquid Assets: The Rationale for ABC Privatization, Part 1
Virginia doesn't need a "public option" in liquor
Leonard Gilroy
August 19, 2010 - Private Prisons a Smart Strategy for Kentucky
Letter to the Editor submitted to the Louisville Courier-Journal
Leonard Gilroy
July 8, 2010 - Taking State Parks off the State's Books, Part 2
Do we need a public sector monopoly on the operation of public lands?
Leonard Gilroy
June 24, 2010 - Amid Fiscal Pressures, States Move to Privatize Workers Compensation Programs
Several states aiming to get government out of the workers compensation insurance business
Leonard Gilroy
June 21, 2010 - How to Save Cleveland
Turning around America’s dying cities is difficult, improbable, and necessary.
Nick Gillespie
May 24, 2010 - This Land is Your Land; This Land is My Land
Why do the feds spend so much to make our Western wilderness theirs?
Leonard Gilroy
April 26, 2010 - Taking State Parks off the State's Books
Tap the private sector to take over operations, management of state parks
Leonard Gilroy
April 14, 2010 - Cutting Costs for State's Prisons
Transferring 25,000 inmates to out-of-state private prisons would save California $1.8 billion over five years
Jon Coupal and Leonard Gilroy
April 7, 2010 - Streamlining Louisiana: Driving Government Reform in an Era of Fiscal Crisis
Interview with Angele Davis, Louisiana Commissioner of Administration
Leonard Gilroy
January 29, 2010 - Look Before You Leap Into Privatization: Florida's Council on Efficient Government Sets a New Standard in Transparency, Due Diligence in Privatization and Contracting Decisions
Interview with Henry Garrigo, former Director, Florida Council on Efficient Government
Leonard Gilroy
January 29, 2010 - Laissez Les Bon Reforms Roulez
Government reform, Louisiana-style
Leonard Gilroy
December 16, 2009 - Private Prisons a Smart Strategy for Arizona
Prison privatization opponents rely on myths, not facts
Leonard Gilroy
November 17, 2009 - Louisiana Provides Model for Closing Budget Deficit
Given the scale of Arizona's fiscal crisis, there's no way to avoid government downsizing
Leonard Gilroy
November 17, 2009 - Getting Virginia Off the Sauce
The Old Dominion's new governor promises to end the state liquor monopoly
Katherine Mangu-Ward
November 12, 2009 - IT Controversy Shouldn't Spoil Public-Private Partnerships in Virginia
Focus should be on resolving implementation issues, not politicizing them
Leonard Gilroy
October 14, 2009 - "Selling" State Buildings in Arizona, California
Sale-leasebacks can play a role in easing fiscal woes, but shouldn't replace budget cutting and government streamlining
Leonard Gilroy
September 30, 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 - Policymakers Turn to Privatization Amid Prolonged Government Fiscal Crises
Privatization, public-private partnerships increasingly prominent in fiscal policy debates
Leonard Gilroy
August 6, 2009 - Virginia Needs a Fiscal Makeover
Federal stimulus dollars won't last forever
Leonard Gilroy
July 14, 2009 - (Un)Happy New Fiscal Year
States need fundamental budget/spending reforms to weather the fiscal storm
Leonard Gilroy
July 6, 2009 - Put the Patients' Welfare First in Hospital Privatization Dispute
Legislature sacrificed psychiatric patients' well-being to retain legacy jobs on state payroll
Leonard Gilroy and Anthony Randazzo
May 14, 2009 - Collapse of Midway Deal "Not a Setback for Privatization"
MuniNet Guide Interview with Reason's Leonard Gilroy
Leonard Gilroy
April 30, 2009 - Hospital Privatization Isn't a Scary Proposition, Patients Should Come First
Letter to the Editor
Leonard Gilroy
April 23, 2009 - Port Privatization Trend Growing
More ports looking to public-private partnerships to fund improvements and expansion
Shirley Ybarra
April 23, 2009 - Illinois Government Should Shop Around
Council on efficient government would bring common-sense budgeting to state
Leonard Gilroy and Kate Campaigne
April 9, 2009 - Even During the Recession Private Companies Are Investing In Ports
Private sector is driving modernization efforts
Shirley Ybarra
March 19, 2009 - Sharpening the Budget Saw in Virginia
Arizona bill offers a blueprint for right-sizing state government
Leonard Gilroy
February 17, 2009 - State Budget Crises Arrive Like Clockwork
Lawmakers once again turn to cigarette taxes to balance their budgets
Michael Flynn
February 11, 2009 - Privatization Can Transform the Delivery of State Psychiatric Services
Innovative policymakers increasingly turning to privatization to dramatically improve the quality of mental health services while holding down costs
Leonard Gilroy
December 29, 2008 - Economic Downturn Didn't Cause State Budget Deficits
What Texas and Florida can teach other states about spending and budget shortfalls
Leonard Gilroy
November 26, 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 - The Right Way to "Sell" The Roads
Gov. Paterson's new public-private partnership commission a positive step toward reducing New York's deficit
Leonard Gilroy
October 21, 2008 - Politicizing Privatization Isn't In Taxpayers' Best Interests
Indiana has benefited from toll road lease and could gain from Gov. Daniels' lottery plan
Leonard Gilroy
August 27, 2008 - Closing Virginia's Budget Shortfall
Virginia needs more effective tools to evaluate competition and efficiency opportunities across state government
Leonard Gilroy
August 25, 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 - Turnpike Lease a Better Deal for Taxpayers, Drivers
$12.8 billion Turnpike bid should be the final nail in Act 44's coffin
Leonard Gilroy
May 20, 2008 - Virginia Saving Money With Fixed-Price Interstate Maintenance Deal
Florida and international community have demonstrated there are significant savings to be had
Shirley Ybarra
May 8, 2008 - Stretching the Highway Dollar
Virginia can get more mileage out of transportation spending by prioritizing congestion relief, using performance-based planning, and outsourcing maintenance
Leonard Gilroy
May 5, 2008 - What Would Jefferson Think?
Private business can do it better
Leonard Gilroy and M. Royce Van Tassell
February 10, 2008 - Lottery Privatization Options for Virginia
Leasing out rights to operate the state lottery could generate a steady income stream, reduce revenue risks
Leonard Gilroy
January 28, 2008 - Reflections of a Texas Transportation Trailblazer
Reason interview with Ric Williamson, Chairman, Texas Transportation Commission
Leonard Gilroy
December 31, 2007 - Utah Should Embrace The Yellow Pages Test
Utah's state and local governments are unfairly competing with private businesses
Leonard Gilroy and M. Royce Van Tassell
December 21, 2007 - Private Solution to California's Infrastructure Problems
Schwarzenegger says state needs $500 billion
Adam Summers
December 12, 2007 - Several States Consider Privatizing Their Lotteries
Revenues should be used for infrastructure, not to increase government spending
Geoffrey Segal
February 23, 2007 - Privatizing Ohio's Government Marketing...Just Do It!
Much of state's advertising and promotional work is corporate welfare
Geoffrey Segal and Jack Furney
September 15, 2006 - Managed Competition in Florida
Jeb Bush's focus on efficiency has changed state government
Jack Furney
July 20, 2006 - It's Time to Tackle California's Traffic Crisis Head On—Privately
State funding isn't needed for major projects to be built
Samuel Staley
April 10, 2006 - Don't Put Undue Burden on Governor's Efficiency Efforts
Indiana's proposed "privatization plan" would slow reforms
Geoffrey Segal
January 15, 2006 - More than 25,000 Private Drinking Water Systems in US
Why would Mass. want to ban water privatization?
Geoffrey Segal
October 28, 2005 - Privatization: It's Working in Florida
91 percent of outsourcing stays in state
Geoffrey Segal
December 2, 2004 - Competition Works in Taxpayers' Favor
Florida is national leader in competitive sourcing
Geoffrey Segal
November 23, 2004 - Virginia Schools Should Focus on Mission: Educating
Privatizing services could save millions
Geoffrey Segal
June 21, 2004 - Florida Reforming Its Privatization Efforts
Bush creates Center for Efficient Government
Geoffrey Segal
March 12, 2004 - A Firefighting Alternative
Oregon, Washington use specialized private sector help, why not California?
Ted Balaker
November 13, 2003 - Huge Savings Through Human Resources Outsourcing
Florida expects to save $173 million
Geoffrey Segal
August 26, 2003 - Making Privatization Work for State Government
Outsourcing can cut costs, avoid tax increases
Adrian Moore
August 1, 2002 - Crippling California Schools
New law prohibits privatization savings
Lisa Snell
January 15, 2002
State Government Blog
- How to Avoid Closing Washington State Parks (5/17)
- Rethinking Washington State Parks: How to Avoid Governor Inslee’s Plan to Close 60 State Parks (5/17)
- Why is the CDC Being Anti-Science on State Liquor Privatization? (5/14)
- Louisiana Republicans Introduce Bills to Replicate Massachusetts's Pro-Union, Anti-Privatization “Pacheco Law” (5/9)
- Louisiana Republicans Introduce Bills to Replicate Massachusetts's Pro-Union, Anti-Privatization “Pacheco Law” (5/9)
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