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Archive for July, 2009

Privatization News Roundup, 7/31/2009

The articles below are some privatization news highlights from the last week that haven’t been covered elsewhere on the blog:

FEDERAL

STATE & LOCAL:

INTERNATIONAL:

» Reason Foundation’s Privatization Research and Commentary

Posted in Contributors on July 31, 2009 | There are currently Comments Off

High-Speed Rail Proponents Underestimate Environmental Impact

Booz Allen considered two potential U.K. HSR lines (London-Manchester and London-Edinburgh/Glasgow). They found that the CO2 emissions required to move HSR passenger seats were about the same as those required to move automobile seats — hardly a slam dunk for rail. In fact, intercity bus came out considerably cleaner than HSR on a per-seat-mile basis.

HSR would emit less on a per-seat mile basis than air travel. But the major caveat is that all of these figures consider emissions from operations only, without taking into account the very large amount of pollution that will be created in the construction of the HSR system. [...]

[Given] 100 percent rail ridership, emissions over a 60-year period would be lower if the HSR line was never built.

Keep in mind that this study focuses on high speed rail projects in England but “given its high population density and short distances, Britain may actually be a better place for HSR than most areas of our country.”

It is worth noting that this study assumes static technological progress. This is not a fatal flaw. Assuming that technology will improve in the coming years and lead to lower environmental harm by way of trains, it is reasonable to conclude that this technological change would be widespread and trans-industrial. If historical trends are any indication, technological gains will be realized and implemented quicker and with more ease in airlines and automobiles, and at a pace that will continually outstrip the meager gains that trains will achieve.

The bottom line here is that for high-speed rail expansion to be at all environmentally friendly, ridership will have to spike to numbers that we can’t reasonably expect. This is an important realization. Citizens in Midwestern states that have committed to this massive project should be aware and informed, and continue to question whether this policy and others will serve the values they are intended to uphold.

Posted in Contributors on July 31, 2009 | There are currently Comments Off

Arlinghaus Radio Tour

Charlie Arlinghaus joins the boys from Granite Grok tomorrow morning at 9:30 to discuss the JUA Lawsuit, and its aftermath on the New Hampshire budget.

Listen Live to “Meet the New Press” from 9-11am on Newstalk 1490 WEMJ or online.
Posted in Contributors on July 31, 2009 | There are currently Comments Off

Cash for Clunkers: A Big Success

The airways Friday morning were full of talk of the success of the "Cash for Clunkers" program. It has been so successful that Congress is racing to add more money. [As of Friday at 2 pm eastern the House had passed a bill to increase funding by $2 billion.]
What was the evidence of success? What [...]

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NYT Columnists Discuss Rationing

This is from the New York Times' The Conversation Blog:
Gail Collins: There have to be limits on what doctors can prescribe. The president pretends the only limit will be on useless tests and drugs that have an equally good, cheaper alternative. But useless and equally good are in the eye of the beholder.
David Brooks: As [...]

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A Burr in their saddle

My question is simple: Why can't Democrats find a challenger to face Richard Burr next year?
It's early days, yes, but more candidates should have thrown their hats into the ring by now, especially considering Burr's weak position.
Consider recent history: Last year North Carolina broke for a Democratic presidential candidate for the first time in three decades. Burr's…

Posted in Contributors on July 31, 2009 | There are currently Comments Off

Happy Birthday, Mr. Friedman

Milton Friedman was born 97 years ago today.

Here’s our complete archive of TGIFriedman.

Hattip: Dennis Delay

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Should Missouri Have a Bottle Deposit Law?

Last night at the Cardinals game, a friend of mine and I discussed the bottle deposit law. It came up because we discussed how they have gotten rid of beer cans entirely at Busch this year. You can only buy your $27 dollar beers on tap or in plastic bottles. This is regrettable, because aluminum [...]

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Friedman Legacy for Freedom Day

Though he died in 2006, economist Milton Friedman's ideas still influence public policy debates today.
The John Locke Foundation joined the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice today – what would have been Friedman's 97th birthday – in celebrating the Friedman Legacy for Freedom Day.
Economics professor Jennis Biser of North Carolina A&T explains below a key element…

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Greeks Bearing Gifts

In a Wall Street Journal article titled “The Great Philanthropy Takeover” Arkansas based writer David Sanders reports on a recent conference of the nationwide Council of Foundations in his home state. Sanders’ article aligns with Michael Miller’s blog of July 30 “Healthcare – Don’t Forget The Morality Of It” and deserves your attention because of the author’s conclusion that the Obama administration “is beginning to nationalize another sector of the American economy.”
How could that happen? Well it would happen because many of those folks who head up non-profit groups that rely on OPM — other people’s money — have a tough time identifying and convincing donors to give them some. Obama is offering an alternative: Bundled packages of tax payer’s money for “shovel ready” community help projects.

Read More…

Posted in Contributors on July 31, 2009 | There are currently Comments Off
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