Reason Foundation

Recent Research and Commentary

Georgia Should Seek Solutions to Drunk Driving that Work

While too many Americans continue to die from drunk driving, there is little evidence that lowering the BAC from .08 to .05 will work

May 30, 2013

Baruch Feigenbaum

While lowering the Blood Alcohol (BAC) standard from .08 to .05 may sound like a good idea, there is little evidence that the lower standard will save lives. Drivers with a BAC of .01 to .03 were more likely to be involved in a fatal wreck than drivers with a .08 to .10. Authroities should focus instead on reckless driving by increasing penalties and enforcement. If the goal is safer roads, it should not matter if the driver had a beer or was distracted by a cell phone. 

Why is the CDC Being Anti-Science on State Liquor Privatization?

May 14, 2013, 2:26pm

Leonard Gilroy

Policymakers 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.

40th Anniversary of the Rockefeller Drug Laws: Time to Re-think Sentencing Policy

May 8, 2013, 4:25pm

Lauren Galik

Florida's Misstep on Capital Punishment

April 30, 2013, 1:41pm

Lauren Galik

State Liquor Privatization Update

Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: State Government Privatization

April 22, 2013

Leonard Gilroy

This subsection of Reason Foundation's Annual Privatization Report 2013: State Government Privatization explores the latest on state attempts to privatize their retail and/or wholesale liquor monopolies, with updates from Washington State, Pennsylvania and more.

Obama’s Cigarette Tax Will Hurt the Poor While Enriching Politicians’ Friends

April 12, 2013, 2:18pm

Cathy Reisenwitz

CNN is reporting that President Obama wants to raise federal cigarette taxes by 94 cents per pack. The tax is being sold as a way to help the poor, with the revenue supposedly going to early childhood education programs. But if the results of state cigarette taxes are any indication, the tax will disproportionately hurt the poor, fund programs directly connected to politicians and negatively impact small businesses, all while consistently failing to meet revenue goals.

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