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The potential negative health impacts of plastics are making headlines once again
Public health experts' concerns over the use of plastics is likely overblown.
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NYC corrections officers refuse help from private prisons despite desperate jail conditions
Understaffing has reached record levels at NYC's Rikers Island jail, resulting in unsafe conditions for inmates and the staff.
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New York state’s new pension investment assumptions will help plan funding
Pension plans across the country should follow New York's lead and adjust their investment assumptions to be more in line with historical performance and market forecasts.
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Why is the Biden administration opposing railroad safety improvements?
In essence, a safety regulator has adopted a position against improved safety.
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Examining the causes of cost overruns on rail and road projects
The average rail project cost 40% more than estimated and its benefits were only 66% of what was projected.
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States Reform Act would automatically expunge federal criminal records for marijuana offenses
Decriminalization and legalization of marijuana should go hand-in-hand with expunging past cannabis-related criminal records.
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Governments increased their use of pension obligation bonds in 2021
In September, pension obligation bonds rated by S&P in 2021 totaled $6.3 billion—compared to $3.0 billion in 2020.
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Youngkin should prioritize modernizing Virginia’s transportation funding sources
Virginia’s highway system is lagging behind neighboring Atlantic states.
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Most public pension plans raised employee contribution rates in the last decade, report shows
The amount a public employee contributes to their pension plan has increased by 1.25% since 2011.
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Market risks remain a long-term challenge for public pension systems
Public pension plans need to remain mindful of the balance between long-term returns and the volatility risk inherent in some asset classes.
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Washington Metro’s latest issues are a symptom of poor life cycle management and procurement
Metro should consider contracting out the procurement, maintenance, and operations of the rail system to a private party.
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House Democrats’ tax on e-cigarettes would lead to millions more smokers
This proposed tax seems certain to contribute to a greater incidence of lung diseases going forward.
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Municipal bonds reveal the weaknesses of ESG investing
Recent experience shows that incorporating ESG factors into municipal investing can be a convoluted, quixotic effort.
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Even the FDA can’t convince anti-vaping advocates e-cigarettes present public health benefits
The FDA has finally approved an e-cigarette as "appropriate for the protection of public health".
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Amidst great investment returns, public pension systems should reassess plan designs
The defined benefit plan long favored by public retirement systems falls short of meeting the retirement security needs for too many state and local government employees, particularly younger, newer employees.
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Georgia’s pension plans pose financial risks to public employees, taxpayers
Without reform, payments on Georgia's pension debt will continue to take funds away from other public priorities like K-12 education and infrastructure.
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Online retail sales haven’t grown as fast as you may think, report says
Census data reveal online sales still only make up about 15% of total retail sales.
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K-12 open enrollment is breaking down barriers in Florida
Open enrollment ends the monopolies school districts maintain through residential assignment.
