Latest
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CalPERS Takes Risks, Looks to Private Equity to Mitigate Underfunding
Public pension plans across the nation are shifting to private equity and other risky assets as they seek higher yields.
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Examining How Much Money That Pension Debt Takes Away From Michigan’s Classrooms Each Year
In 2018, Detroit Public Schools spent $2,202 per student on MPSERS debt, which equals nearly 27 percent of the district's per pupil foundation grant from the state.
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Planning For Potential Budget Cutbacks In Michigan: Sustainable School Finance Solutions
Even in a constrained fiscal environment, Michigan can improve education funding equity and better empower local school leaders.
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Michigan’s Latest Protectionist Bill May Backfire on Some Automakers and Car Dealers
This piece of legislation is so reckless that it may ultimately lead to the weakening of mandatory indirect auto sales laws, which would be great news for consumers.
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The Funded Status of State-Managed Public Pension Plans
State-level public pension plans' funded status dropped from 97.7 percent in 2001 to 73.6 percent in 2019.
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Subprime Green Bonds Could Cause Headaches for Homeowners, Investors and Local Governments
Green energy loans, used by homeowners to finance things like solar panels and roof replacements, are reminiscent of the subprime mortgages that led to the Great Recession.
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School Finance Systems Need to Fairly Accommodate Enrollment Trends, Not Ignore Them
Enrollment patterns play a big role in determining both school district operations and state education funding.
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California’s Economic Recovery Efforts Could Be Hurt By More Tax Increases
Proposals to implement a wealth tax and increase the state's top marginal tax rate seem especially ill-advised right now.
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As Gov. Newsom Urges Vigilance, California Should Adjust Coronavirus Shutdown Rules
Another strict lockdown would be too much for many businesses to bear, causing more to close permanently and destroying thousands of jobs in the process.
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Pension Reform for the New Normal Economy—Examining Colorado’s Successful Model
Colorado's 2018 pension reforms put the state on track to have its public employee retirement system fully funded in 30 years.
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An Attack on Pedestrian Safety Campaign and How We Talk About Transportation Policies
A well-meaning pedestrian safety effort generates ire.
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Public Pension Plans Need Leaders To Face Reality
It's time to address public pension debt through substantive change.
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Surface Transportation News: Priced Managed Lanes, Nationwide Electronic Tolling Pass, and More
Plus: The feasibility of hydrogen fuel-cell trucks, four decades of railroad deregulation, and more.
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New Michigan Law Will Automatically Expunge Some Criminal Records
But the law does not automatically expunge the huge backlog of marijuana-related crimes that are no longer illegal in the state.
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The Commercialization and Decommissioning of the International Space Station
The days of NASA developing products and programs without commercial partnerships are over.
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Governments Fail to Meet Deadlines For Audited Financial Statements
Governments that issue debt securities and receive federal funds owe it to taxpayers to account for their finances in a timely manner.
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Los Angeles Metro’s Long-Term Plan Doesn’t Effectively Improve Transportation or Plan for Future
In 2019, fewer than 5 percent of LA commuters used mass transit. Yet, Metro's plan spends $80 billion on new transit capital construction.
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Removing Restrictions of Nurse Practitioners Could Expand Access to Health Care
More states should allow nurse practitioners to practice independently and to the full extent of their training.