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Reason Foundation

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Reason Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing free minds and free markets. @reason.org produces respected public policy research and publishes @reason.com. reason.org

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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 28/09/2026
On President Trump’s proposed Dulles Airport project, Robert Poole writes, “Letting Trump play airport designer is a recipe for retaining the current United fortress hub and potentially wasting nearly a billion dollars on a totally unneeded parking facility.”
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The public-private partnership alternative to Trump's Washington Dulles Airport plan - Reason Foundation
A long-term public-private partnership could modernize Washington Dulles, attract private capital, and open the airport to greater airline competition.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 25/09/2026
A closer look at outcomes in Seattle, Burlington, and Vancouver undermines claims that harm reduction strategies are causing their overdose crises.
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Don’t blame harm-reduction policies for America’s overdose crisis
A closer look at Seattle, Burlington, and Vancouver challenges the claim that harm reduction caused their overdose crises.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 24/09/2026
The U.S. needs an air traffic control system that replaces equipment before it fails. The FAA’s costly, outdated model cannot deliver those regular upgrades.
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Flight cancellations and delays show dire state of US air traffic control - Reason Foundation
SImple failures caused over 1,000 flight cancellations, 6,000 delays, and negatively impacted tens of thousands of passengers.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 23/09/2026
Meta’s settlement adds protections for teen Facebook and Instagram users and sends billions to states. Whether young people benefit depends on lawmakers safeguarding the money, reporting how they spend it, and funding programs that measurably improve care, safety, and well-being.
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States must publicly track and show how they spend Meta’s settlement money
Meta has agreed to pay up to $18 billion to resolve a lawsuit alleging that Facebook and Instagram were designed in ways that harmed children and teenagers.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 22/09/2026
Youth vaping has fallen sharply since 2019. New prevention efforts should reflect that progress and avoid reinforcing misconceptions that could discourage smokers from switching to less harmful alternatives.
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Youth vaping has collapsed, but lawmakers want $500 million to fight it anyway
As youth vaping drops to its lowest level in 12 years, the Preventing Opportunities for Teen E-Cigarette and Tobacco Addiction Act is largely redundant.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 22/09/2026
Robert Poole on the causes of the tragic Miami cargo plane accident, Marc Scribner on the latest TSA problems, and more in Reason’s aviation newsletter. ⬇️
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The private-sector is adding more space-launch capacity - Reason Foundation
Plus: The fatal Miami cargo plane accident, TSA airport security modernization unravels, Canada looks to privatize airports, and more.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 21/09/2026
Short-term rental restrictions do little to improve housing affordability and often impose sweeping burdens on responsible hosts, guests, and platforms.
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Policy for short-term rentals: Balancing property rights and community preferences
Short-term rental restrictions do little to improve housing affordability and often impose sweeping burdens on responsible hosts, guests, and platforms.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 18/09/2026
The Ratepayer Protection Act is a common-sense first step toward guarding against higher household energy bills. However, lawmakers must also reduce the regulatory barriers that keep large-load customers from generating their own power outside the public grid.
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The Ratepayer Protection Act protects against higher household energy bills when data centers connect to the grid
The bill offers an economically rational approach to federal advisory standards for a new class of energy customers larger than those seen before.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 18/09/2026
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System is already $179 billion in debt, so it is a bad time to ask taxpayers to pay $11 billion in additional, expensive pension benefit increases to the state’s highest-paid public employees.
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California undermines pension reforms with benefit boost for first responders - Reason Foundation
Plus: Evaluation identifies opportunities for reform of Texas pensions, how to insulate pensions from political temptations, and more.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 18/09/2026
New York’s Earned Time Act could improve prison safety, reduce repeat offenses, strengthen reentry, and save taxpayers an estimated $5.6 billion by rewarding good behavior and participation in rehabilitation programs.
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New York should adopt reforms to prison sentences by expanding its good time and merit time statutes
House Bill 1085 provides incarcerated people with robust incentives for good behavior and program participation, but lacks some common-sense safeguards.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 18/09/2026
The fuel tax is cheap to collect, costing just 1%–5% of the revenue it generates. But as new vehicles have become nearly 19% more fuel-efficient over the past two decades and the federal gas tax not increased since 1993, states are collecting less money for transportation.
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Mileage-based user fees: Lessons from state programs
Mileage-based user fees restore the users-pay, users-benefit relationship disrupted by electric vehicles by charging drivers based on the miles they actually drive.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 17/09/2026
Indiana is reshaping its public education system to reflect how many more families are choosing alternatives to their residentially assigned public schools.
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Indiana moves to right-size public schools, streamline services
In Indiana, more than one in five of publicly funded students attended schools other than their assigned one via charter schools, open enrollment, and private school scholarships during the 2025-26…
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 17/09/2026
California lawmakers sent a bill to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk that would partially roll back the state’s 2012 pension reforms and increase police and firefighter pension costs by an estimated $11.8 billion over 30 years.
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California undermines pension reforms with benefit boost for first responders - Reason Foundation
Plus: Evaluation identifies opportunities for reform of Texas pensions, how to insulate pensions from political temptations, and more.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 16/09/2026
“Government agencies must remain accountable for how they use AI and for the effects of AI-supported decisions. Using AI does not excuse agencies from civil rights, anti-discrimination, privacy, or due-process obligations.”
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Government agencies must be held responsible for negative outcomes from their use of AI
Government agencies must pair artificial intelligence deployment with clear rules, human oversight, and enforceable accountability for internal and vendor use.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 16/09/2026
In Indianapolis, 57% of publicly funded students chose schools other than Indianapolis Public Schools, the largest public school district in Indiana, over the past five years.
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Indiana moves to right-size public schools, streamline services
In Indiana, more than one in five of publicly funded students attended schools other than their assigned one via charter schools, open enrollment, and private school scholarships during the 2025-26…
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 14/09/2026
Pilot programs are essential for state leaders to determine if a mileage-based user fee is a realistic alternative to fuel taxes.
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Developing a mileage-based user fee pilot program
States considering replacing gas taxes with mileage-based user fees can learn from pilot programs in Hawaii, Michigan, California, and Texas.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 11/09/2026
Missed our webinar on how cities fund themselves through fines and fees? You can watch the recording below:
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Webinar: Reforming how cities fund themselves through fines and fees
A recent Reason Foundation webinar explored how local governments across the country raise billions of dollars a year through court fines, fees, and forfeitures.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 11/09/2026
As concession fees become more common in express toll lane projects, questions remain about who ultimately pays for them and what they mean for the future of public-private partnerships.
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Concession fees for express toll lanes - Reason Foundation
Plus: The future of the Highway Trust Fund, new findings on truck user fees, and more.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 11/09/2026
Local governments raise billions each year through court fines, fees, and forfeitures, and some now rely on this revenue. A recent Reason Foundation webinar explores our research on how local governments use fines and fees to fund their budgets and what can be done:
reason.org
Webinar: Reforming how cities fund themselves through fines and fees
A recent Reason Foundation webinar explored how local governments across the country raise billions of dollars a year through court fines, fees, and forfeitures.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 04/09/2026
A California bill, if signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, will increase pension benefits and could add over $11 billion in public pension costs for taxpayers.
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California undermines pension reforms with benefit boost for first responders
If signed by Gov. Newsom, a new bill will undermine progress made on reducing the state’s massive pension debt and put taxpayers on the hook for over $11 billion in new costs.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 03/09/2026
“Retirement boards are not legislatures. They are fiduciaries entrusted with safeguarding billions in assets for the exclusive benefit of retirees.”
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Depoliticizing public employee pension plans: Building robust legal and structural guardrails for sustainability
Many political vulnerabilities that threaten sound design and funding of public pensions can be addressed with apolitical guardrails.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 03/09/2026
Texas has high property taxes. Providing more property tax exemptions without reducing government spending simply shifts the tax burden elsewhere and risks adding to the state’s debt.
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Texas property tax relief won’t last unless local governments rein in spending
Recent exemptions may lower tax bills temporarily, but durable relief requires limits on local spending, borrowing, and costs.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 03/09/2026
San Diego Unified School District has $83,762 in debt per student—the highest of any California school district in the Reason Foundation study.
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Fiscal red flags reveal growing problems in California governments and school districts
California has the largest total debt of any state in the nation, nearly $497 billion in state liabilities.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 03/09/2026
Public workers depend on pensions for retirement security, but political and budget pressures can influence whether those benefit promises are adequately funded for the long term.
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Depoliticizing public employee pension plans: Building robust legal and structural guardrails for sustainability
Many political vulnerabilities that threaten sound design and funding of public pensions can be addressed with apolitical guardrails.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 02/09/2026
California has the largest total debt of any state in the nation, nearly $497 billion in state liabilities.
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Fiscal red flags reveal growing problems in California governments and school districts
California has the largest total debt of any state in the nation, nearly $497 billion in state liabilities.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 01/09/2026
In many states, people on probation and parole are banned from using medical marijuana, even when legally prescribed by a physician.
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Probation and parole rules haven’t caught up with medical marijuana legalization
In many states, people on probation and parole are forbidden to use medical marijuana, even when legally recommended by a physician.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 26/08/2026
Opponents of self-driving trucks are trying to halt California’s cautious rollout of the technology despite the state’s stringent safety requirements.
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Organized labor takes aim at California’s driverless truck rules
Today, most states already allow autonomous trucks to be tested and deployed on public roads, but California has by far the most onerous regulations.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 25/08/2026
Fort Bend (TX) is the most fiscally stressed school district in the country, with seven out of eight financial red flags. Gwinnett County (GA) has six red flags. Frisco Independent (TX), Omaha Public Schools (NE), the Chicago Board of Education, and Denver Public Schools each have five red flags.
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Study: Fort Bend (TX) and Gwinnett County (GA) are the most fiscally stressed school districts in the nation
School districts in Chicago, Denver, Frisco, and Omaha also have significant fiscal red flags.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 25/08/2026
States and local governments can adopt proven practices from around the world to improve the cost-effectiveness and accountability of US transit systems.
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International transit systems show practical lessons to improve US transit
States and local governments can adapt proven practices using their existing authority over transit agencies, funding, and oversight.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 25/08/2026
Survivors of partner abuse are often prosecuted for crimes connected to their abuse, including defending themselves against an abuser or committing crimes under coercion. “Survivor justice acts” allow courts to consider evidence of abuse when sentencing survivors charged with crimes.
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Survivor justice acts bring common sense to sentencing
These laws allow full and adequate consideration of abuse and the role it can play in offenses.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 24/08/2026
Mounting fiscal pressures can erode reserves, pile up debt, and ultimately threaten public services or lead to tax hikes. A new Reason Foundation study identifies where those warning signs are emerging across state and local governments.
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State and local government finances in America: A comprehensive analysis of debt and liquidity
Based on audited financial reports from more than 20,000 government entities, this study uses eight objective indicators to identify emerging fiscal risks.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 24/08/2026
Judges should consider whether abuse contributed to a person’s crime when determining an appropriate sentence, writes Hanna Liebman Dershowitz.
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Survivor justice acts bring common sense to sentencing
These laws allow full and adequate consideration of abuse and the role it can play in offenses.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 24/08/2026
Lawmakers shouldn’t judge transit policy by how much they spend. They should judge it by what agencies deliver for riders and taxpayers.
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International transit systems show practical lessons to improve US transit
States and local governments can adapt proven practices using their existing authority over transit agencies, funding, and oversight.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 23/08/2026
New York City and Chicago have seven financial red flags. Baltimore, Buffalo, Honolulu, and Toledo, Ohio, have five red flags. Thirteen cities have four red flags, including six in Texas.
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Study: Chicago and New York City show most fiscal stress in the nation
While Chicago and New York face extreme pressure on nearly every metric, 42 of the 100 most populous cities trigger one or fewer red flags.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 22/08/2026
Nassau and Miami-Dade counties each trigger five fiscal red flags, the most among America’s 100 largest counties. Nassau owes more than twice what it holds in assets, while Miami-Dade has the highest liabilities per resident of any large county.
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Study: Nassau County and Miami-Dade are nation's most fiscally-stressed counties
Westchester County (NY), Prince George’s County (MD), Jefferson County (AL), Denton County (TX), and Baltimore County (MD) also have significant fiscal red flags.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 22/08/2026
A new analysis of eight key financial metrics finds New Jersey is the nation’s most fiscally distressed state, triggering six of eight possible red flags. Connecticut, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Dakota and Pennsylvania have the next highest numbers of financial red flags.
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Study: New Jersey and Connecticut are the most financially distressed states
New Jersey has the most financial red flags, followed by Connecticut, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Dakota and Pennsylvania. Twenty-three states have zero red flags.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 21/08/2026
How financially healthy are America’s state and local governments? A new Reason Foundation study uses eight standardized measures to identify emerging fiscal risks.
reason.org
State and local government finances in America: A comprehensive analysis of debt and liquidity
Based on audited financial reports from more than 20,000 government entities, this study uses eight objective indicators to identify emerging fiscal risks.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 21/08/2026
New Jersey has $213.3 billion in total liabilities, amounting to about $22,968 in state liabilities for every resident. Only Connecticut has a higher per-resident burden, at roughly $26,187.
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Study: New Jersey and Connecticut are the most financially distressed states
New Jersey has the most financial red flags, followed by Connecticut, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Dakota and Pennsylvania. Twenty-three states have zero red flags.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 21/08/2026
Nassau (NY) and Miami-Dade (FL) each trigger five red flags, making them the nation's most fiscally stressed county governments. Westchester (NY), Prince George's County (MD), Jefferson (AL), Denton (TX), and Baltimore (MD) counties all register four fiscal red flags.
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Study: Nassau County and Miami-Dade are nation's most fiscally-stressed counties
Westchester County (NY), Prince George’s County (MD), Jefferson County (AL), Denton County (TX), and Baltimore County (MD) also have significant fiscal red flags.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 21/08/2026
Fort Bend and Gwinnett are the nation’s two most fiscally stressed large school districts, with liabilities of $29,690 and $31,918 per student, respectively.
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Study: Fort Bend (TX) and Gwinnett County (GA) are the most fiscally stressed school districts in the nation
School districts in Chicago, Denver, Frisco, and Omaha also have significant fiscal red flags.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 21/08/2026
Between 2019 and 2024, public school enrollments dropped by 2.8%, or 1.4 million students.
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Fourteen school districts announce plans to shutter 147 schools in 2026
Plus: Three of the nation’s largest public school districts are navigating significant budget crises as we head into the school year.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 20/08/2026
New York City and Chicago have the most red flags of any large local governments in America, indicating extreme fiscal stress in both the short and long term.
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Study: Chicago and New York City show most fiscal stress in the nation
While Chicago and New York face extreme pressure on nearly every metric, 42 of the 100 most populous cities trigger one or fewer red flags.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 20/08/2026
New Jersey has the most financial red flags, followed by Connecticut, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Dakota and Pennsylvania. Twenty-three states have zero red flags.
reason.org
Study: New Jersey and Connecticut are the most financially distressed states
New Jersey has the most financial red flags, followed by Connecticut, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Dakota and Pennsylvania. Twenty-three states have zero red flags.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 20/08/2026
A new Reason Foundation study analyzes the financial health of America’s largest state and local governments using eight measures of debt and liquidity. ⬇️
reason.org
State and local government finances in America: A comprehensive analysis of debt and liquidity
Based on audited financial reports from more than 20,000 government entities, this study uses eight objective indicators to identify emerging fiscal risks.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 20/08/2026
A new California bill could add $14 billion in taxpayers’ pension costs, largely by increasing benefits for first responders already earning more than $160,000 a year.
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California set to give $14 billion pension boost to high-earning first responders - Reason Foundation
Plus: Connecticut's pre-K endowment diverts pension dollars, and pension funds are for retirement, not housing policy.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 20/08/2026
Instead of Gov. Greg Abbott’s pause on data centers, Texas should require data centers to cover their grid upgrade costs while expanding capacity and strengthening reliability for consumers.
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Texas can expand data centers without raising electricity costs
Texas can improve reliability and protect consumers without sacrificing innovation and growth.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 19/08/2026
Public school enrollment is falling across the country, putting growing financial pressure on districts already facing difficult budget decisions.
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Fourteen school districts announce plans to shutter 147 schools in 2026
Plus: Three of the nation’s largest public school districts are navigating significant budget crises as we head into the school year.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 18/08/2026
As families get ready for the new school year, nearly 22 million public school students in 23 states can use universal open enrollment laws to choose a traditional public school other than their residentially assigned school.
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More states should embrace open enrollment for public schools - Reason Foundation
Every state that has implemented strong open enrollment policies has seen improvements for the students using the program.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 18/08/2026
Idaho recognized that housing affordability was a supply problem and made it easier to build more homes. Its approach offers a model for states facing similar housing challenges.
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Idaho gets housing policy right and sets up future success
Idaho’s 2026 housing package treats affordability as a supply problem caused by excessive regulation.
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Reason Foundation @reason.org · 17/08/2026
Universal open enrollment has given millions of students access to public schools that may better fit their needs.
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More states should embrace open enrollment for public schools - Reason Foundation
Every state that has implemented strong open enrollment policies has seen improvements for the students using the program.
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