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Report: A roadmap for a broad-based Connecticut economic recovery March 2021In the Public Interest
Democracy, shared prosperity, and the common good
In the Public Interest is a comprehensive research and policy center on privatization and responsible contracting.
In the Public Interest
Democracy, shared prosperity, and the common good
In the Public Interest is a comprehensive research and policy center on privatization and responsible contracting.
Featured Article
Policy Brief: Restoring and Reimagining Investment in Public Water February 2021Featured Article
The California charter schools that have received coronavirus aid meant for small businesses July 2020Research Brief: The Risks Posed by Water Privatization
This memo outlines a few of the serious risks posed by water privatization deals and provides examples of communities that have dealt with the harmful consequences of water privatization. Water is essential to [...]
July 2020
The Billionaire Behind Efforts to Kill the U.S. Postal Service
The story of billionaire Charles Koch’s connections, influence, and ideological push to weaken and ultimately privatize one of America’s most essential public services.
July 2020
Frequently asked questions about online charter schools
As public education authorities struggle with how best to reopen schools as the coronavirus crisis continues, one option may be to affiliate with a privately operated online or “virtual” charter school. Here are [...]
July 2020
Data Brief: Are Oakland Charter Schools Double Dipping?
Oakland’s charter schools have received a total of at least $18,909,300 in loans from the federal Paycheck Protection Program.
June 2020
Research Brief: Why online education can’t replace brick-and-mortar K-12 schooling
Research on online education reveals a long track record of poor academic performance, lack of equity and access, and privacy concerns.
May 2020
The Anti-Government Echo Chamber
A brief pulling together examples of how corporate figures, right-wing organizations, and conservative politicians talk about the role of government—or the lack thereof—in American life.
April 2020
Guide: Understanding and Evaluating Infrastructure Public-Private Partnerships in the Water Sector
This guide aims to help advocates, policymakers, and other stakeholders better understand and analyze water infrastructure project proposals, contracts, and related legislation.
November 2019
Research Brief: Background information on charter schools
A collection of research designed to help communities grapple with how best to fit charter schools into their educational systems.
October 2019
Memos: The Potential Pitfalls of Privatization
In 2019, In the Public Interest, along with Local Progress, produced four memos outlining the potential pitfalls of the privatization of public goods and services. Download them here: Why You Should Be Wary of PrivatizationA [...]
August 2019
Research Brief: As Wall Street Banks Sever Ties, Private Prison Companies Stand to Lose Over $1.9B [...]
This year, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, SunTrust, BNP Paribas, and Fifth Third Bancorp publicly announced that they would no longer provide any new financing to the private prison industry. Together [...]
July 2019
Guide: 10 questions to ask before any privatization deal
Privatization, the handing over of public goods and services to corporations, remains all the rage. The promises are always oversold — we get cost overruns instead of cost savings, less transparency, and cut corners [...]
June 2019
Report: Examining California’s charter school appeals process
In 1992, California’s legislature passed a bill allowing for the creation of charter schools, which are publicly funded but privately managed. Almost three decades later, the state has the country’s largest charter [...]
June 2019
Research Brief: Insourcing often leads to better service and cost-savings
Recent research and the experiences of numerous local and state governments show that, by bringing critical functions back under public control, service quality can be improved and cost-savings can be achieved to make the [...]
June 2019
Report: Charter schools are costing California’s West Contra Costa Unified $27.9 million a year
In the Public Interest, in partnership with California’s West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) staff, directly measured the financial impact of charter schools on students who attend the district’s [...]
May 2019
Fact Sheet: The perils of privatizing parking assets
In 2008, then-Mayor Richard M. Daley rushed a proposal through Chicago’s city council to lease out the city’s downtown parking meters for 75 years. Councilmembers (and the public) were given only a few days to examine [...]
April 2019
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Report: Private prison corporations primed to cash in on Trump’s immigration executive order June 2018Featured Article
Report: The Cost of Charter Schools for Public School Districts May 2018Availability Payments in Public-Private Partnerships: Issues and Implications
As localities and states in the U.S. consider public-private partnerships (P3s) to build new infrastructure, some believe that contracts structured with “availability payments” are a better alternative to the [...]
May 2018
Privatizing the VA: Lessons from privatized Medicaid in Kansas and Iowa
Both Kansas and Iowa have suffered cuts in care, reduced far less costs than expected, and sacrificed oversight and transparency after privatizing Medicaid.
March 2018
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Report: Fraud and waste in California’s charter schools March 2018Research Brief: How charter schools impact public school district budgets
Public school districts and the students they serve are undermined by laws and practices that prioritize charter school growth over educational opportunities for all students.
February 2018
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Report: The Failure of Policy Planning in California’s Charter School Facility Funding April 2017Guide: Understanding and Evaluating Infrastructure Public-Private Partnerships (P3s)
A guide to help advocates, policymakers, and other stakeholders better understand and analyze infrastructure public-private partnership (P3) proposals, contracts, and related legislation.
January 2017
Guide: Best Practices in Municipal Waste Contracting
Best practices for municipalities aiming to protect their interests when contracting with private companies that provide waste management services.
November 2016
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Report: The Banks That Finance Private Prison Companies November 2016Featured Article
Buying Influence: How Private Prison Companies Expand Their Control of America’s Criminal Justice System October 2016Featured Article
Report: How privatization increases inequality September 2016Featured Article
Fact Sheet: GEO Group and Corrections Corporation of America Spend Billions of Taxpayer Dollars Purchasing Smaller Companies September 2016Featured Article
Fact Sheet: Private Prison Companies Encourage Mass Incarceration by Owning Facilities July 2016Featured Article
Research Brief: How Private Prison Companies Increase Recidivism June 2016Academica’s Florida Real Estate Operations
"Academica's Florida Real Estate Operations" provides analysis of for-profit charter school operator Academica’s role as a landlord to schools in Florida.
June 2016
Policy Brief: The Cost of Charter Schools for Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)
A research brief proposing equitable solutions to mitigate the negative fiscal impact of charter schools on the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).
May 2016
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Cutting Corners in America’s Criminal Justice System April 2016Featured Article
Report: What Government Contractors Really Mean When They Say They’ll Do It Cheaper April 2016Featured Article
Private Prison CEOs Continue to Make Much More than the Correctional Officers that Work for Them March 2016Featured Article
How Private Prisons Take Tax Dollars Away from Fixing Our Criminal Justice System February 2016Featured Article
Private Companies Profit from Almost Every Function of America’s Criminal Justice System January 2016Featured Article
A Guide to Evaluating Pay for Success Programs and Social Impact Bonds December 2015Featured Article
Buying Access: How Corporations Influence Decision Makers at Corrections Conferences, Trainings, and Meetings August 2015Featured Article
The Public School Accountability Agenda March 2015Closing the Books: How Government Contractors Hide Public Records
This brief provides case studies that illustrate how private contractors hide three key types of information: (1) the fees they charge the public, (2) how they spend public funds, and (3) details on the quality of public [...]
March 2015
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Virtual Public Education in California: A Study of Student Performance, Management Practices and Oversight Mechanisms at [...] February 2015Featured Article
Standing Guard: How Unaccountable Contracting Fails Governments and Taxpayers December 2014Featured Article
Shift: How Taxpayers Began Reclaiming Control of their Public Services June 2014Featured Article
Race to the Bottom: How Outsourcing Public Services Rewards Corporations and Punishes the Middle Class June 2014Backgrounder: The Cost of Private Prisons
The private prison industry claims that governments can save money by privatizing prisons, but what does the evidence actually indicate? This backgrounder summarizes recent research and state reports related to private [...]
April 2014
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Infrastructure Justice: Building Equity into Infrastructure Financing January 2014