George Passantino
Senior Fellow
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.
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Not the Time for Tax Increases in California
State has many options for raising money besides tax increases
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Put a Lid On State Budget, Already
California's budget woes underscore need for a spending limit
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The Chilling Effect of the Schwarzenegger-Bush Freeze
Mortgage assistance plans don't fix the problem
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Spiderman and Schwarzenegger
Will impulse to spend or reform win out in California?
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Schwarzenegger Goes From Milton Friedman to Big Government
Arnold's nanny-state plan misdiagnoses what's wrong with health care
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Governor’s Rose-Colored Glasses Tint the Budget
Schwarzenegger is outspending Gray Davis, ignoring state's major fiscal woes
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Undermining the Future
Problems with November's Bond Initiatives, and Alternatives
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Addressing California’s Transportation Needs
Problems with Proposition 1B and Alternative Approaches
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Infrastructure, Yes! Mega-debt, No!
Massive bond isn't answer to California's troubles
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Schwarzenegger Needs to Refocus
Quality of life issues left on sidelines
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Plan Districts to Safeguard Democracy
CA needs nonpartisan redistricting
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California Needs Better Laws, Not More Government
Needless boards only add red tape, bureaucracy
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San Diego Pension Proposals Don’t Do Enough
City needs shift to 401(k) plans, voter approval for benefit increases
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Reviving the Reform
California Performance Review still packs a punch
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How to Keep Pension Promises on the Road to Solvency
CA government pension systems encourage irresponsible behavior
