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Recent Research and Commentary

Saving California State Parks through Public-Private Partnerships

June 1, 2013, 2:23pm

Leonard Gilroy

Last weekend, the Orange County Register ran an op-ed of mine making the case for more privatization in California State Parks. I say "more" because last year the state turned over the operation of dozens of its state parks to private, nonprofits—as well as another handful to private, for-profit recreation management companies—to avoid the closure of these parks, keeping them open for public enjoyment.

From Oakland to Chicago to Jacksonville, Mayors Are Using Privatization

Private trash collection would help Fresno's long-term financial health

May 31, 2013

Leonard Gilroy, Adrian Moore

Next month’s special election on contracting out Fresno’s residential trash collection to help balance the city’s budget will hopefully end the long-running battle over something that shouldn’t have been controversial in the first place. In California, cities like Riverside, Oakland and Torrance already use private trash collectors. It’s a service that is regularly privatized across the country.

Public-Private Partnerships Could Save State Parks

Privatization won't ruin California's state parks, in fact the private sector may be needed to save them

May 31, 2013

Leonard Gilroy

A recent report from the Little Hoover Commission recommends paring back the agency and devolving some of its key functions—most notably, the operation of parks themselves—to third parties. It calls for a new operating model that includes expanding the role of outside partners in the direct operation and management of state parks. These outside partners would include other governments, nonprofits, and for-profit companies.

New at Reason: Savings for Fresno—The Role of Privatization

May 30, 2013, 7:00am

Leonard Gilroy

Like their peers in many municipalities across the country, Fresno policymakers are currently considering what role privatization should play in addressing their current and future fiscal challenges. However, privatization is a complex subject and takes many forms, so it is helpful to have an overview of the subject in deciding how to use privatization moving forward.

Savings for Fresno: The Role of Privatization

As Fresno navigates budget challenges, privatization can lower costs and put performance, results first

May 29, 2013

Leonard Gilroy, Adrian Moore

Like their peers in many municipalities across the country, Fresno policymakers are currently considering what role privatization should play in addressing their current and future fiscal challenges. However, privatization is a complex subject and takes many forms, so it is helpful to have an overview of the subject in deciding how to use privatization moving forward.

Reason's Len Gilroy Talks TVA Privatization, Annual Privatization Report on Heartland Institute Podcast

May 23, 2013, 3:54pm

Leonard Gilroy

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the Heartland Institute's Steve Stanek for an episode of their Heartland Daily Podcast, where we discussed President Obama's recent budget proposal to study a potential privatization of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

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