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Recent Research and Commentary

Taking Steps Towards Better Child Welfare Programs In Nebraska

The focus should be on the kids and outcomes, not reorganizing state agencies

February 8, 2012

Lisa Snell

The Nebraska legislature should move ahead with the hands-on child welfare recommendations rather than getting caught up yet again in agency reorganization which will ensure that the child welfare system remains in transition and chaos for some time without guaranteeing better outcomes. The immediate focus should be on reforms that will have the greatest impact on outcomes for children by both DHHS and the lead agencies.

Join Reason Foundation for National School Choice Week 2012 in New Orleans on Saturday, January 21

January 11, 2012, 1:17pm

Lisa Snell

University of Kentucky Smart to Explore Private Sector for New Campus Housing

December 15, 2011, 10:50am

Harris Kenny, Leonard Gilroy

As my colleague Leonard Gilroy and I explain today in our Reason.org commentary, University of Kentucky Smart to Explore Private Sector for New Campus Housing, ongoing state budget deficits and challenges are putting pressure on state university systems and prompting them to explore ways to cut costs. The University of Kentucky (UK) may become the latest university to embrace public-private partnerships.

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.

December 15, 2011

Leonard Gilroy, Harris Kenny

Ongoing state budget deficits and challenges are putting pressure on state university systems and prompting them to explore ways to cut costs. Higher education officials are desperately seeking ways to keep services, maintain facilities and find less costly and more efficient ways to build and modernize the dorms, academic buildings and other capital intensive facilities needed. To do this, some are turning to public-private partnerships, arrangements in which public entities contract with private sector firms for the financing, design, construction, operation and/or maintenance of public assets.

Surprise, Surprise, California Gov. Jerry Brown Calls for More Tax Increases

December 6, 2011, 6:07pm

Adam Summers

To the surprise of no one, California Gov. Jerry Brown unveiled his plan calling for more tax increases to address the state's structural deficit. The proposal, for which signatures are now being gathered with a goal of placing a ballot measure before voters in the November 2012 election, includes a half-cent sales tax increase and an income tax rate increase of one to two percentage points for those earning at least $250,000 a year, and would remain in effect for five years.

Not All Student Loans Lead to Good Jobs

November 30, 2011, 4:20pm

Marc Joffe

If a student chooses a major for which there is limited demand, attends a school with an undistinguished reputation, earns poor grades due to lack of study and fails to conduct an effective job search campaign, their education will also prove to be a malinvestment.

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