Reason Foundation

Senior Fellow
george.passantino@reason.org
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Bio

George Passantino is a senior fellow at Reason Foundation, a nonprofit think tank advancing free minds and free markets.

In 2004, Passantino served as a full-time director on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s California Performance Review. Passantino helped lead a thorough, top-to-bottom review of state government that the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office concluded could save California $15 billion over five years.

Passantino has authored frequent studies, white papers, and commentaries on California's need for fundamental economic, legislative, and regulatory reform. His views have appeared in numerous publications, including the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News, Orange County Register, San Diego Union-Tribune, San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle, and Investor's Business Daily.

Prior to joining Reason in 1997, Passantino served as a legislative consultant to the California State Legislature. His wide range of high-profile legislative accomplishments include the 1996 passage of California's version of Megan's Law, which has helped thousands of parents protect their children from dangerous sex offenders.

Passantino graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Applied Economics from California State University, Bakersfield.