Reason Foundation is heralding U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and Texas Gov. Rick Perry as “Innovators in Action” for their work in developing fresh solutions to cope with our growing infrastructure and traffic problems. In Innovators in Action 2008, Ms. Peters and Gov. Perry author columns explaining their visions and policy prescriptions for the future of transportation funding and construction. “From crumbling roads to collapsing bridges to gridlocked roads, our nation’s infrastructure is in desperate need of repair and expansion,” said Leonard Gilroy, editor of Innovators in Action and director of government reform at Reason Foundation. “Governor Perry and Secretary Peters have led us down a new path, a path that shows there are better and more sustainable ways to fund, build and operate infrastructure. Their leadership offers hope that after years of falling behind, we can build a 21st century transportation system that protects our mobility and spurs the economy.” Other public officials featured in Reason Foundation’s Innovators in Action 2008 include:
- Former U.S. Comptroller General David M. Walker;
- Utah State Senator Howard Stephenson and State Representative Craig Frank;
- New Jersey State Senator Raymond J. Lesniak;
- the late Texas Transportation Commission Chairman Ric Williamson;
- King County, Washington Executive Ron Sims;
- Denver Regional Transportation District CEO Cal Marsella; and
- Olga V. Block, CEO and Executive Director of BASIS Schools.
“At every level of government there are officials of all political stripes who are implementing programs that give taxpayers more bang for their buck and improve accountability,” Gilroy said. “Now we need these types of innovators to become the norm, rather than the exception.” In their own words, this bipartisan group of leaders reveal how they are reducing government spending and reforming bureaucracy; how they are collaborating with the private sector to build new infrastructure and deliver cost-savings and better services to taxpayers; how they are advancing market-based transportation solutions to reduce congestion and improve mobility; how they reforming public education delivery and advancing school choice; and how they are reforming urban public transit operations. “ Reason’s Innovators in Action 2008 “ Press Release “ Reason’s Privatization Research and Commentary