Latest
-
Raising Money for Southern Nevada Infrastructure Improvements
Clark County, Nevada, is an American success story. But the metro area's infrastructure has failed to keep pace.
-
Nicotine and Harm Reduction Newsletter – December 2018
The U.S. Surgeon General made an extraordinary intervention into the debate over e-cigarettes and tobacco harm reduction calling for vaping bans and higher taxes to stem the rise of teen vaping.
-
Renewing the National Commitment to the Interstate Highway System: A Foundation for the Future
The report makes several good recommendations but falls short of truly providing a realistic, financially sustainable path forward for Interstates.
-
Pension Reform Newsletter — December 2018
California’s rising taxes linked to rising pension costs, pension woes contribute to Vermont credit rating downgrade, and more.
-
Unfunded Liabilities Are Forcing Texas TRS Pension Contributions Ever Higher
The Teacher Retirement System (TRS) of Texas’ amortization payments have grown since 2003 and take up an increasing amount of teacher and state contributions.
-
Texas TRS: Examining the 7.25 Percent Assumed Rate of Return
Adopting a more realistic projection of investment returns and the estimated value of pension benefits is important to ensuring Texas will uphold promises made to teachers.
-
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.
-
How the Texas Teacher Retirement System’s Unfunded Liability Grew to $35.4 Billion
The key factors driving growth in TRS’ unfunded liability.
-
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."
-
How Dangerous Is Marijuana?
A health risk comparison of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Pension Solvency Overview: Teacher Retirement System (TRS) Of Texas
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas reported an unfunded pension liability of $35.4 billion in 2017.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Occupational and Business Licensing of Recreational Marijuana
In order to allow new marijuana markets to flourish, occupational licensing must be constrained to the bare essentials.
-
Reason Foundation’s Drug Policy Newsletter, December 2018
The latest developments on legalizing marijuana, forcing opioids patients to the black market, needle exchanges and harm reduction efforts, and more.
-
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.
