Reason Foundation

Recent Research and Commentary

Threat of Muni Bankruptcy Hangs Over Providence, Rhode Island

January 31, 2012, 6:50pm

Harris Kenny

The threat of municipal bankruptcy hangs over Providence, Rhode Island, Dan McGowan of GoLocalProv reports: “Concerns are mounting over whether (Providence, Rhode Island) can remain afloat in light of cash flow problems, a $22.5 million budget shortfall and a court ruling that sided with retirees over the city in a healthcare dispute."

Jerry Brown Continues to Push High-Speed Rail Boondoggle while California Drowns in Debt

January 27, 2012, 2:59pm

Adam Summers

Considering that cost estimates have soared from between $40 billion and $45 billion a couple of years ago to between $98.5 billion and $117.6 billion now, and ridership estimates have plummeted from 117 million passengers per year by 2030 to between 23 million and 34 million per year by 2035, while the state is running a $9.2 billion budget deficit, a $10 billion unemployment fund deficit, and an unfunded pension liability in the range of $400 billion to $500 billion, pushing forward with the high-speed rail project is unconscionable and incredibly irresponsible. Yet Governor Jerry Brown is trying to move ahead with the project at the same time he is pushing a $35 billion tax increase.

New at Reason: Maryland Announces $456m PPP to Redevelop and Operate I-95 Travel Plazas

January 27, 2012, 2:16pm

Leonard Gilroy

In my new Reason.org article today, I explore Maryland's newly announced public-private partnership (PPP) for the redevelopment and operation of two I-95 travel plazas.

Maryland Announces $456m PPP to Redevelop and Operate I-95 Travel Plazas

Deal a win-win for taxpayers, business, state

January 27, 2012

Leonard Gilroy

Earlier this week, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced that it had approved a 35-year public-private partnership (PPP) for the redevelopment and operation of two I-95 travel plazas. The deal could be a win-win for taxpayers and the state.

The Tax Foundation Releases 2012 State Business Tax Climate Index

January 26, 2012, 6:07pm

Harris Kenny

This morning The Tax Foundation published the 2012 State Business Tax Climate Index comparing all 50 U.S. states’ tax systems. Overall, the Index notes 2011 was a relatively light year in state tax changes so there weren’t many major changes from the previous edition of this report. Some insight can be gleaned from several states that shines light on what to expect in 2012. The states of interest include: Illinois, Connecticut, Colorado, and New Jersey.

Cutting the Debt Is Important to 96 Percent of Americans and 74 Percent Want a Government Spending Cap

Tired of red ink and politics as usual, 80 percent say they’d consider voting for a third-party or independent presidential candidate in 2012

May 3, 2011

As the federal government rapidly approaches the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling, 96 percent of Americans say it is important to reduce the national debt, according to a new Reason Foundation-Rupe poll. Of those surveyed, 69 percent believe reducing the national debt is “very important.”

With the debt piling up, it is also clear that taxpayers do not trust the federal government to live within its means. In fact, the Reason-Rupe survey finds 74 percent of Americans support implementing a spending cap that would prohibit the government from spending more money than it takes in during a fiscal year. Only 19 percent oppose a government spending cap.

The most popular policy prescription for reducing the national debt is spending cuts: 45 percent of people say Congress should bring down the debt by reducing spending without raising taxes. Another 16 percent favor reducing the debt primarily through spending cuts, but are open to some tax increases; 14 percent prefer an equal emphasis on spending cuts and tax increases; 8 percent want to reduce the debt primarily through higher taxes with some spending cuts; 4 percent say current spending levels should be maintained and taxes should be raised as needed; and 1 percent of Americans say we shouldn’t do anything about the debt.

The Reason-Rupe poll included several open-ended questions that allowed respondents to voice concerns and share their own ideas. When asked to name the biggest problem facing America today, 30 percent say the economy, 23 percent emphasize jobs and unemployment, and 10 percent cite government spending, debts and deficits.

When given the opportunity to name any government program they’d like to spend less money on 22 percent of Americans suggest cutting military and defense spending.

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