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Teacher Retirement System of Texas: Why 80 Percent Funded Is Not Enough
TRS has at least $35.4 billion in pension debt, and billions more if the pension plan’s assumptions are wrong.
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How the Texas Teacher Retirement System’s Unfunded Liability Grew to $35.4 Billion
The key factors driving growth in TRS’ unfunded liability.
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Birmingham Mayor Urges His City Not to Ignore Its Growing Pension Problems
"Please understand, if we do not take definitive action now, the city will face widespread financial problems. The city’s credit rating will likely be lowered, creating an even greater challenge in fully funding the pension."
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The Flaws In a Study Linking Ridesharing and Traffic Fatalities
The report should address questions about vehicle-miles traveled as well as urban and rural fatality rates.
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Addressing Misperceptions About XBRL for Municipal Disclosure
In the wake of an SEC Municipal Disclosure conference, market leaders should take a fact based approach to machine-readable municipal finance data.
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Examining CDC’s State-by-State Data on Drug and Opioid Overdose Deaths
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports there were 70,237 total drug overdose deaths and 47,600 opioid overdose deaths in 2017.
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California Voters Approve Tax Increases for Public Services, But Pension Payments and Debt May Eat the Money
Local governments say increased taxes are a path for increased public services, but the money is going to have to go to pension payments.
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California’s Plan to Ban Vaping Flavors would Hurt Public Health
California legislators are proposing a bill to ban the sale of all flavored e-cigarettes in retail stores and vending machines.
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Local Governments Beware: Pension Obligation Bonds Are a Risky Response to Rising CalPERS Bills
Recent stock market volatility is a warning sign to local agencies considering pension obligation bonds.
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Examining What Went Wrong With the Student-Based Budgeting Pilot Program
Overly rigid implementation played a part in setting back the Every Student Succeeds Act's student-based budgeting pilot program.
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Teacher Pension Debt Undermines Public Education in Georgia
Georgia’s political leaders owe it to parents and students to resolve the pension system’s solvency challenges.
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Cars, Mass Transit and the Efforts to Reduce Emissions
Investments in mass transit ought to be more selective and focused on expanding and maintaining ridership in areas with high rates of transit ridership by operating more heavily during times of greater demand.
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Jitneys Could Help Provide a Critical Mass Transit Options in Miami
The city has a successful low-cost private jitney industry frequented by immigrants and minorities that could help increase transit ridership rates at a minimal cost to taxpayers.
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The Iowa Public Employees Retirement System Needs More Than a Year of Solid Returns
IPERS’ unfunded accrued liability grew from $441 million in fiscal year 2001 to $6.97 billion in fiscal year 2017.
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New Research Examines Why Public Pension Funding Gaps Are Widening
The financial gap between poorly- and well-funded public pension plans is growing.
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Will Drug Cartels Miss Jeff Sessions?
The last thing cartels want is less drug enforcement.
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How to Make Legal Pot Work for Michigan
Michigan voters took a great step toward ending the failed war on drugs.
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Stop Trying to Claim Charter Schools ‘Steal’ Money from Traditional Public Schools
Charters shouldn’t be blamed for “stealing” public schools’ funding when parents are just choosing what’s best for their kids.
