Latest
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Environmental and social investing can put taxpayers and public pension funds at risk
Making the world a better place does not put money into a public pension fund struggling to meet its funding requirements, nor does it pay for the benefits or cost-of-living adjustments promised to retirees.
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Disclosures reveal state and local governments haven’t spent federal rescue funds
These governments were allocated $172 billion of ARPA funds but had only spent $4.9 billion (2.9 percent) of the money by the July 31 cutoff date for the initial reporting period.
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Suggested reforms for Pennsylvania’s Public School Employees’ Retirement System
The pension system's high investment fees and unrealistic investment return expectations are in need of reform.
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Four reasons to reject a federal tobacco tax increase
The plan currently being considered in Congress would increase taxes on all tobacco and nicotine products.
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Surface Transportation News: Rhetorical war on freeway expansion, transit’s near-term future, and more
Plus: Misinformation on proposed per-mile charge, trucks as leading candidate for automation, and more.
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As Congress considers more K-12 education spending, taxpayers need more transparency and accountability
As Congress considers pouring even more federal money into K-12 education, policymakers should guarantee that robust accountability structures to track federal education spending exist.
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The important economic factors rarely mentioned in infrastructure debates
All large infrastructure projects should be vetted via a rigorous benefit/cost analysis.
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California legislature was wise not to issue the remaining $4 billion of high-speed rail bonds
Without the bond proceeds, the California High-Speed Rail Authority will not be able to meet its intermediate objective of establishing service along 171 miles of electrified track between Merced and Bakersfield.
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Congress considers tobacco tax increase
Cigarette taxes would double to more than $2 per pack under the House proposal.
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Spending data show the U.S. has not been defunding public education
When looking at the data, the verdict is clear: nearly every American state has increased per-pupil revenues in the last two decades, often by substantial margins.
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Benefit costs, not school choice programs, are the real drain on public education spending
Benefit costs, not school choice programs, are draining new funding from K-12 public schools.
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Scammers take advantage of California community colleges’ inadequate cybersecurity measures
California’s community college system could identify and even thwart bots much more easily if the state implemented and followed a full cybersecurity plan.
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New York City’s misguided automated vehicle rules
The new rule means automated vehicle developers would face legal uncertainty and may be deterred from testing their technologies in the city at all.
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Three reasons why public pensions still need reform
Despite realizing excellent investment returns in 2021, public pension plans are still in need of reforms to prevent future debt and ensure they can pay out promised benefits.
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Privatization and Government Reform News: Transportation P3s, solutions for space debris, and more
Plus: Capitol Hill’s spending spree continues amid inflation concerns, anticompetitive California EMS bill gets (some) redemption, and more.
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Putting a year of good investment returns for public pension plans in perspective
This year's exceptionally high investment returns are good news for struggling pension plans, but they do not mean all is right in the public pension world.
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Aviation Policy News: Responses to airport lease study, airport security since 9/11, and more
Plus: Airport security since the 9/11 attacks, how climate change policies impact air travel, a better way to deal with in-flight turbulence, and more.
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California passes EMS bill but doesn’t address anti-competitive landscape
If fire agencies want to fully take over emergency medical services, they should face a competitive landscape that ensures they are tested against the best competition in the EMS industry.
