Reason Foundation is heralding U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and Texas Gov. Rick Perry as "Innovators in Action" for their work in developing fresh solutions to cope with our growing infrastructure and traffic problems. In Innovators in Action 2008, Ms. Peters and Gov. Perry author columns explaining their visions and policy prescriptions for the future of transportation funding and construction.

"From crumbling roads to collapsing bridges to gridlocked roads, our nation's infrastructure is in desperate need of repair and expansion," said Leonard Gilroy, editor of Innovators in Action and director of government reform at Reason Foundation. "Governor Perry and Secretary Peters have led us down a new path, a path that shows there are better and more sustainable ways to fund, build and operate infrastructure. Their leadership offers hope that after years of falling behind, we can build a 21st century transportation system that protects our mobility and spurs the economy."

In addition to Peters and Perry, the Reason Foundation publication features essays by and interviews with U.S. Comptroller General David M. Walker, Utah Senator Howard Stephenson and Representative Craig Frank, New Jersey Senator Raymond Lesniak, the late Texas Transportation Commission Chairman Ric Williamson, Denver Regional Transportation District CEO Cal Marsella, King County (WA) Executive Ron Sims, and BASIS Charter Schools co-founder Olga Block.

In their own words, this bipartisan group of leaders reveal how they are reducing government spending and reforming bureaucracy; how they are collaborating with the private sector to build new infrastructure and deliver cost-savings and better services to taxpayers; how they are advancing market-based transportation solutions to reduce congestion and improve mobility; how they reforming public education delivery and advancing school choice; and how they are reforming urban public transit operations.

 » Download Full Report: Innovators in Action 2008 (1.9 Mb | .pdf)
 » Press Release

 » U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters: Time to Refocus, Reform and Renew
     the Federal Transportation System
 » Former U.S. Comptroller General David Walker: Transformation Is Needed and
     Achievable in Government
 » Texas Gov. Rick Perry: Extensive Challenges Call For Visionary Solutions

Related Reason Research

» Annual Privatization Report 2008

Reason Foundation's 22nd Annual Privatization Report finds that privatization remains a key policy focus as public officials grapple with deteriorating fiscal conditions. With as many as 23 states potentially facing budget deficits in fiscal 2009, state governments are increasingly looking for ways to cut costs without cutting services. The report analyzes the latest developments in privatization and government reform in the areas of transportation, aviation, education, local government services, federal management, telecommunications, and property rights.

 » Innovators in Action 2007

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens and several other local and state officials demonstrate how governments can tackle bureaucracy, streamline operations and become more accountable to taxpayers in a new Reason Foundation publication, Innovators in Action. In their own words, these leaders reveal how they are reducing government spending; how they are collaborating with the private sector to deliver cost-savings and better services to taxpayers; how they are using public-private partnerships to build roads their governments couldn't afford on their own; how they are working with high-tech firms to improve technology and increase Internet usage; and how they reforming Medicaid, health and social services.

» Annual Privatization Report 2007

Reason Foundation's 21st Annual Privatization Report finds states are increasingly partnering with the private sector to build roads and reduce traffic jams that have become one of the biggest complaints among taxpayers living in nearly every mid- to large-sized city in the country. The report analyzes the latest developments in privatization and government reform in the areas of transportation, aviation, education, local government services, telecommunications, and eminent domain.

» Annual Privatization Report 2006: Transforming Government Through Privatization
» APR 2006 Special Excerpt: Reflections from Pioneers in Government Reform (1.1 Mb | .pdf)

The 20th Anniversary edition of Reason's Annual Privatization Report includes reflections from several privatization pioneers, including former U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, former Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith, Reason founder Robert Poole Jr., and more.

» Reason's Privatization and Government Reform Studies
» All Reason Policy Studies

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