News
Top Public Universities Push for ‘Autonomy’ From States. The proposals vary in scope, but their proponents generally argue that more autonomy allows public universities to operate with less red tape and with greater freedom to raise revenue as state funding has fallen. But many within higher education point to the potential downsides. They worry that these universities — often the better-known and wealthier public universities — could end up sidelining broader state goals such as access and affordability in pursuit of their own agendas, such as moving up in college rankings. ProPublica
Profiting from the Poor: Outsourcing Social Services Puts Most Vulnerable at Risk. In a story most in the media missed, protestors gathered under the dome at the Mississippi state capitol earlier this year to oppose a bill that would allow the state Department of Human Services (DHS) to privatize everything from child protective services to nutrition programs for the elderly. PR Watch
IL: Low job numbers could kill Illiana toll road. The proposed Illiana Expressway would create just 940 full-time jobs over the next 30 years even though, at least initially, the state might have to put up more than $600 million of its own money to build the controversial roadway. So conceded Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider in a candid — and revealing — interview yesterday as the fight over whether to build the express route between Interstate 55 in Illinois and Interstate 65 in Indiana nears a critical decision-making point. Crain’s Chicago Business
PA: Nutter administration defends privatization effort. Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison ….however, refused to answer a series of questions, mainly from Councilman Dennis O’Brien, about the presumed winning bidder of the contract or how that firm would operate. “It’s kind of like doing your contract negotiations in public,” Gillison said. “We don’t do that.” “My fear is that this contract will be signed the minute you walk out this door,” O’Brien said. “And none of our founded questions will get answered.” Philly.com
PA: PennDOT accepting Unsolicited P3 Transportation Proposals
. During this period, the private sector can submit proposals offering innovative ways to deliver transportation projects across a variety of modes including roads, bridges, rail, aviation and ports. Proposals can also include more efficient models to manage existing transportation-related services and programs. Wilkes Barre Times-Leader
LA: State working on privatization for long-term care. Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration is planning to privatize the state’s long-term care programs for the elderly and developmentally disabled. Sacramento Bee