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Harris Kenny

Policy Analyst
Reason Foundation
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Bio
Harris Kenny is a state and local government policy analyst at Reason Foundation, a non-profit think tank advancing free minds and free markets.
Harris has worked alongside policymakers in Colorado, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Arizona, Oregon and elsewhere to implement public policy solutions. Harris is currently serving as a member of the Local Authority Working Group of Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper's Amendment 64 Task Force, which is providing guidance on implementing recreational marijuana legalization. He conducts research on public finance, public-private partnerships, privatization, public safety, criminal justice and regulatory policy issues.
Harris has appeared on various television and radio outlets, such as National Public Radio, HuffPost Live, Al Jazeera, Voice of Russia and Colorado Public Television. His writing has been published in The Wall Street Journal, The Denver Post, The Sacramento Bee, The Orange County Register, Real Clear Markets, reason.com, and other print and online outlets. He also serves as co-editor of Reason Foundation's Annual Privatization Report (reason.org/apr) and Innovators in Action (reason.org/innovators) publications.
Prior to joining Reason Foundation, Harris worked at the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation. He earned a BA in Economics from Pepperdine University, where he worked as a research assistant to Dr. Luisa Blanco at Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy.
Follow Harris Kenny on Twitter @harriskenny
AllStudiesBlog PostsOp-Eds
- State and Local Correctional Healthcare Privatization Update
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Criminal Justice and Corrections
Harris Kenny
May 6, 2013 - Mayor Rahm Emanuel Establishes Chicago Infrastructure Trust
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Local Government Privatization
Harris Kenny
May 6, 2013 - Colorado, Washington State Vote to Tax and Regulate Recreational Marijuana for Adults
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Criminal Justice and Corrections
Harris Kenny and Andrew Livingston
May 6, 2013 - Public-Private Partnerships for Parking Assets
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Local Government Privatization
Harris Kenny
May 6, 2013 - Yonkers, New York Pursuing Innovative School Partnership Approach
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Local Government Privatization
Harris Kenny
May 6, 2013 - City of Austin Releases Surprising Outsourcing Study
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Local Government Privatization
Harris Kenny
May 6, 2013 - Georgia Contract Cities Continue to Evolve
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Local Government Privatization
Harris Kenny
May 6, 2013 - Finding New Ways to Provide Parks and Recreation Amenities
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Local Government Privatization
Harris Kenny
May 6, 2013 - Water and Wastewater Privatization Update
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Local Government Privatization
Harris Kenny
May 6, 2013 - Solid Waste Collection Update
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Local Government Privatization
Harris Kenny
May 6, 2013 - Non-Profit Partnerships for Animal Shelters Grow
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Local Government Privatization
Harris Kenny
May 6, 2013 - Local Government Privatization News and Notes
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Local Government Privatization
Harris Kenny
May 6, 2013 - State and International Corrections Privatization Update
Subsection of Annual Privatization Report 2013: Criminal Justice and Corrections
Leonard Gilroy and Harris Kenny
May 6, 2013 - Using Innovative Policy Tools to Rebuild Colorado's Infrastructure
Interview with Michael Cheroutes, Director, and Nick Farber, Enterprise Specialist, of the Colorado Department of Transportation's High Performance Transportation Enterprise
Harris Kenny
January 2, 2013 - Legislature Has the Chance to Set a Standard on 64
It is in policymakers' best interests to get this right—even if they didn’t support the initiative in the first place.
Harris Kenny and Leonard Gilroy
December 28, 2012 - Why Colorado’s Marijuana Legalization Initiative Could Be In Vain
State policymakers need to develop sensible marijuana regulations, not destructive ones.
Harris Kenny and Leonard Gilroy
December 14, 2012 - A Public-Private Partnership Could Help the ABQ BioPark Zoo
Finding Ways to Address Budget Deficits and Deferred Maintenance
Katie Furtick and Harris Kenny
November 19, 2012 - Correctional Privatization Improving Outcomes in Florida
Letter to the Editor Submitted to The Palm Beach Post
Harris Kenny
October 9, 2012 - 21st Century Schools Require 21st Century Finance
Policymakers can improve - if not reinvent - the American education system.
Harris Kenny and Leonard Gilroy
September 28, 2012 - To Avoid Massive Tax Hikes, Privatize State Lotteries
An innovative new lottery privatization model is emerging.
Leonard Gilroy and Harris Kenny
August 30, 2012 - Transforming Education at the Local Level: Douglas County Leading the Way
Interview with Dr. Elizabeth Fagen, Superintendent of Douglas County School District (Colorado)
Harris Kenny
August 29, 2012 - California Is Ground Zero for Muni Bankruptcies
When will lawmakers start rethinking how municipalities should operate?
Harris Kenny and Leonard Gilroy
July 26, 2012 - Big City Democrats Are Embracing Privatization
Heavyweights like Chicago's Rahm Emanuel are going around public agencies and unions to improve schools, roads, parks and more
Leonard Gilroy and Harris Kenny
July 12, 2012 - Private Sector, Local Governments Find Investment Opportunities in Municipal Parking Assets
Chicago, Indianapolis unlock value trapped in a neglected treasure
Harris Kenny and Leonard Gilroy
June 22, 2012 - Union-Propagated Red Herrings Continue to Mar Corrections Research
Meaningful reform requires an all-of-the-above strategy, including privatization.
Harris Kenny
June 13, 2012 - Privately Operated Zoos Now Considered the Standard
North Carolina, Los Angeles, Grand Rapids and Elsewhere Exploring Zoo Partnerships
Harris Kenny
May 29, 2012 - States and Cities Going Private With Infrastructure Investment
Leonard Gilroy and Harris Kenny
May 24, 2012 - Parking Privatization Blossomed in 2011
Several city, university parking privatization initiatives advanced in 2011
Harris Kenny
May 22, 2012 - Emanuel Administration Embracing Private Sector Competition in Chicago
New $7 billion infrastructure trust developing alongside initiatives in recycling, water and elsewhere
Harris Kenny
May 15, 2012 - Villaraigosa Administration Advocating Reform in Los Angeles
Debate over city-owned parking garages and zoo continues, progress made elsewhere
Harris Kenny
May 15, 2012 - Tulsa, Jacksonville Mayors Pursuing Public-Private Partnerships
Two first-term mayors hit the ground running in 2011
Harris Kenny
May 15, 2012 - California Library Privatization Success in Jeopardy
Meanwhile, successful partnerships thrive in Florida, Oregon and elsewhere
Harris Kenny
May 15, 2012 - Competition Would Improve North Carolina's Correctional Healthcare Delivery
Letter to the Editor Submitted to The News & Observer
Harris Kenny
May 9, 2012 - Tax Incentive Program is a Misguided Attempt to Create Jobs
Senate Bill 124 would set loose a broken program that should be reined in.
Harris Kenny
April 28, 2012 - Reinventing Libraries in Osceola County, Florida: Partnering with the Private Sector to Create Standards of Excellence
Interview with Osceola County, Florida Commissioner Frank Attkisson
Harris Kenny
April 12, 2012 - Denver's RTD Weighing Options for Northwest Corridor
Policymakers seeking to provide the most service, for the most people, to the most places.
Harris Kenny
March 7, 2012 - Privatize Parking, But Not for the Kings
The current arena plan is a steal for the Kings and an air ball for taxpayers.
Harris Kenny and Leonard Gilroy
March 6, 2012 - Florida Correctional Healthcare Reform in Jeopardy
The state Department of Corrections should be encouraged for pursuing reform, not stifled.
Harris Kenny
February 27, 2012 - Reforming Local Government in Colorado Springs
Interview with Chuck Fowler, CEO and Chairman of The City Committee of Colorado Springs
Harris Kenny
February 14, 2012 - Picture This: Film Tax Credits Demonstrably Wasteful, Ineffective
As most states wind down film tax credits, Colorado might expand them.
Harris Kenny
February 14, 2012 - Lawmakers Should Encourage Prison Health Competition, Not Ban It
Attempt to ban privatization of prison nurses is misguided
Leonard Gilroy and Harris Kenny
January 19, 2012 - Government Loans Bring Trouble
Denver officials gambling with taxpayer money on dubious urban renewal initiatives.
Harris Kenny
January 6, 2012 - Government Revenue Trends in 2009
Ahead of the Curve: Do state and local governments really have a revenue problem?
Anthony Randazzo and Harris Kenny
December 27, 2011 - 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.
Leonard Gilroy and Harris Kenny
December 15, 2011 - Democrats Dump on Private Libraries
Bill aims to discourage partnerships that can offset cutbacks.
Harris Kenny
September 19, 2011 - Don't Give Handouts to Hollywood
Movie production incentives and subsidies amount to little more than corporate handouts.
Harris Kenny
August 5, 2011 - Brown v. Plata Ruling Highlights Need for Reform (Not Tax Increases)
A multi-faceted approach is necessary to finally reform California's correctional system
Harris Kenny and Adam Summers
June 2, 2011 - Don't Close State Parks; Lease Them
Partnering with the private sector to save California's state parks
Harris Kenny
May 20, 2011 - San Francisco’s Experimental Market-Based Parking Pricing Program
City officials pursue urban congestion relief
Harris Kenny
April 12, 2011 - Colorado Senate Explores Taxicab Regulatory Reform
Recently introduced legislation rekindles reform efforts
Harris Kenny
February 1, 2011
Out of Control Policy Blog 
- How to Avoid Closing Washington State Parks (5/17)
- Give Managed Lane Conversions Time (5/16)
- Why is the CDC Being Anti-Science on State Liquor Privatization? (5/14)
- Louisiana Republicans Introduce Bills to Replicate Massachusetts's Pro-Union, Anti-Privatization “Pacheco Law” (5/9)
- 40th Anniversary of the Rockefeller Drug Laws: Time to Re-think Sentencing Policy (5/8)
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