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Maryland P3 express lanes project will help roadways, taxpayers
Maryland's P3 project will be financed based on tolls that commuters choose to pay, and the risk of insufficient traffic and revenue will be borne by the P3 company, not Maryland taxpayers.
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Houston firefighter pension plan makes a bold move into cryptocurrency investing
The Houston Firefighters’ Relief & Retirement Fund has invested $25 million in cryptocurrency.
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Denver shouldn’t ban flavored tobacco products
The Denver City Council is pushing a flavored tobacco ban in the hopes it will slash the number of youths experimenting with e-cigarettes. But data shows that other states and cities have seen negative consequences from such policies.
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Federal Department of Labor halts California transit grants over public pension dispute
Reports indicate that California transit agencies stand to lose a total of $12 billion in federal funding due to the decision.
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Republican-backed marijuana bill is an important step toward legalization
For legalization to become a reality, a broad bipartisan Congressional coalition of support is necessary.
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Administrative bloat isn’t the biggest problem facing school district budgets
Growing employee benefit debt costs - not administrative spending - is the biggest line item keeping new education dollars out of the classroom.
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Vermont explores public pension and OPEB reform
Vermont's public pension and OPEB plans have billions in unfunded liabilities weighing on taxpayers.
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Can virtual reality technology encourage remote work and slow climate change?
Virtual reality headsets and virtual meetings rooms could enhance the telecommuting experience for some.
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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.
