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Between 2002 and 2023, California’s public school funding increased by nearly 80%, rising from $14,526 per student to $25,941 per student after adjusting for inflation.
Yet, despite this dramatic increase in spending, test scores have largely stalled or worsened.
Yet, despite this dramatic increase in spending, test scores have largely stalled or worsened.
Southern California school districts spend big, but student outcomes have barely budged
California's per student spending increased by nearly 79 percent between 2002 and 2023.
reason.org
November 26, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Between 2002 and 2023, California’s public school funding increased by nearly 80%, rising from $14,526 per student to $25,941 per student after adjusting for inflation.
Yet, despite this dramatic increase in spending, test scores have largely stalled or worsened.
Yet, despite this dramatic increase in spending, test scores have largely stalled or worsened.
Scandals like the one allegedly involving NBA player Terry Rozier may seem like proof that betting hurts the integrity of the game. But in reality, legalized betting helps catch misconduct thanks to monitoring, reporting, and cooperation with leagues, law enforcement and sportsbooks.
Legal sports betting didn't create corruption. It exposed it
Banning sports betting so that it falls exclusively into the hands of criminals and offshore platforms won’t eliminate corruption; it may very well worsen it.
reason.org
November 25, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Scandals like the one allegedly involving NBA player Terry Rozier may seem like proof that betting hurts the integrity of the game. But in reality, legalized betting helps catch misconduct thanks to monitoring, reporting, and cooperation with leagues, law enforcement and sportsbooks.
In 2024, national test scores were lower than in 2003 across most subjects—even after a 36% rise in per‑student spending since 2002 and infusion of $190 billion in pandemic relief funding. Policymakers need to make reforms so our education dollars actually help students learn.
K-12 Education Spending Spotlight 2025: Annual public school spending nears $1 trillion
Eight states spend more than $25,000 per student: New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, California, Rhode Island and Hawaii. Public school enrollment fell in 39 states from 2020…
reason.org
November 24, 2025 at 11:43 PM
In 2024, national test scores were lower than in 2003 across most subjects—even after a 36% rise in per‑student spending since 2002 and infusion of $190 billion in pandemic relief funding. Policymakers need to make reforms so our education dollars actually help students learn.
Between 2020 and 2023, California recorded the largest per-student spending increase in the nation—a jump of 31.5%. Yet despite this historic funding surge, the state lost more than 318,000 students. Instead of scaling down, California added 3,400 non-teaching staff.
Read more in our new report:
Read more in our new report:
K-12 Education Spending Spotlight 2025: Annual public school spending nears $1 trillion
Eight states spend more than $25,000 per student: New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, California, Rhode Island and Hawaii. Public school enrollment fell in 39 states from 2020…
reason.org
November 22, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Between 2020 and 2023, California recorded the largest per-student spending increase in the nation—a jump of 31.5%. Yet despite this historic funding surge, the state lost more than 318,000 students. Instead of scaling down, California added 3,400 non-teaching staff.
Read more in our new report:
Read more in our new report:
The FTC’s loss in its case against Meta marks a clear setback for antitrust regulators, suggesting they currently lack a strong legal foundation to prove that major digital platforms like Meta are operating as illegal monopolies.
Federal Trade Commission fails to convince judge that Meta monopolizes social media
In its zeal to punish Big Tech, the Federal Trade Commission stuck to a market definition that became more obsolete with every year.
reason.org
November 22, 2025 at 12:44 AM
The FTC’s loss in its case against Meta marks a clear setback for antitrust regulators, suggesting they currently lack a strong legal foundation to prove that major digital platforms like Meta are operating as illegal monopolies.
The K-12 Education Spending Spotlight finds New York spends the most per student at $36,976, followed by New Jersey at $30,267. Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, California, Rhode Island and Hawaii also spend more than $25,000 per student. See how much your state is spending:
K-12 Education Spending Spotlight 2025: Annual public school spending nears $1 trillion
Eight states spend more than $25,000 per student: New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, California, Rhode Island and Hawaii. Public school enrollment fell in 39 states from 2020…
reason.org
November 21, 2025 at 5:14 PM
The K-12 Education Spending Spotlight finds New York spends the most per student at $36,976, followed by New Jersey at $30,267. Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, California, Rhode Island and Hawaii also spend more than $25,000 per student. See how much your state is spending:
U.S. counties carry $757 billion in debt.
Some counties owe over $40,000 per resident. See the most debt-heavy places ⬇️
Some counties owe over $40,000 per resident. See the most debt-heavy places ⬇️
Report: County governments have $757 billion in debt
In per capita terms, North Slope Borough, Alaska, ranks first, with its total debt representing $46,883 per county resident.
reason.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:19 AM
U.S. counties carry $757 billion in debt.
Some counties owe over $40,000 per resident. See the most debt-heavy places ⬇️
Some counties owe over $40,000 per resident. See the most debt-heavy places ⬇️
Despite record-high spending, many public schools are falling short.
From 2002 to 2023, K–12 funding rose nearly 36%, yet teacher salaries fell, outcomes stagnated, and schools added staff while enrollment barely grew.
Read more:
From 2002 to 2023, K–12 funding rose nearly 36%, yet teacher salaries fell, outcomes stagnated, and schools added staff while enrollment barely grew.
Read more:
Funding Education Opportunity: 2025 K-12 Education Spending Spotlight Release
All 50 states increased K-12 funding from 2002 to 2023, but inflation-adjusted average teacher salaries fell by 6.1% between 2002 and 2022,
reason.org
November 21, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Despite record-high spending, many public schools are falling short.
From 2002 to 2023, K–12 funding rose nearly 36%, yet teacher salaries fell, outcomes stagnated, and schools added staff while enrollment barely grew.
Read more:
From 2002 to 2023, K–12 funding rose nearly 36%, yet teacher salaries fell, outcomes stagnated, and schools added staff while enrollment barely grew.
Read more:
Most public pension dollars aren’t funding current workers' benefits, they’re paying off old debt from years of underfunding.
Over half of what governments contribute goes to past promises, not future ones—leaving less for today’s needs like schools, roads, and public safety.
Over half of what governments contribute goes to past promises, not future ones—leaving less for today’s needs like schools, roads, and public safety.
Most pension contributions go toward paying off debt, not funding benefits
Over 50% of the public pension contributions by state and local governments are directed toward paying off pension debt rather than to benefits themselves.
reason.org
November 19, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Most public pension dollars aren’t funding current workers' benefits, they’re paying off old debt from years of underfunding.
Over half of what governments contribute goes to past promises, not future ones—leaving less for today’s needs like schools, roads, and public safety.
Over half of what governments contribute goes to past promises, not future ones—leaving less for today’s needs like schools, roads, and public safety.
Florida’s main pension system still carries billions in debt and won’t be fully funded for at least 17 years. One recession could reverse progress and strain local budgets. Florida must stay the course with pension reforms to protect both taxpayers and public workers.
Florida must stay the course to pay for promised pension benefits
Florida’s retirement system for public workers is estimated to be 17 years away from eliminating expensive pension debt.
reason.org
November 18, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Florida’s main pension system still carries billions in debt and won’t be fully funded for at least 17 years. One recession could reverse progress and strain local budgets. Florida must stay the course with pension reforms to protect both taxpayers and public workers.
Cities across the U.S. are carrying $1.4 trillion in debt (about $7,000 per person), much of it tied to long-term promises like pensions, retiree health care, and municipal bonds.
Nantucket, Ocean City, and Miami Beach have some of the highest per capita debt, at over $30,000 per local resident.
Nantucket, Ocean City, and Miami Beach have some of the highest per capita debt, at over $30,000 per local resident.
Report: Cities have $1.4 trillion in debt
San Francisco, Nantucket, New York City, Ocean City, and Miami Beach are the cities with the most per capita debt.
reason.org
November 18, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Cities across the U.S. are carrying $1.4 trillion in debt (about $7,000 per person), much of it tied to long-term promises like pensions, retiree health care, and municipal bonds.
Nantucket, Ocean City, and Miami Beach have some of the highest per capita debt, at over $30,000 per local resident.
Nantucket, Ocean City, and Miami Beach have some of the highest per capita debt, at over $30,000 per local resident.
The shutdown may be over, but America’s air traffic control system is still vulnerable and in need of modernization.
Most other countries insulated their air traffic systems from politics. It’s time we do the same to protect passengers, planes, and progress.
Most other countries insulated their air traffic systems from politics. It’s time we do the same to protect passengers, planes, and progress.
Aviation Policy News: Protecting air traffic control and travelers from the next government shutdown - Reason Foundation
Plus: Air traffic controller retirements, why the proposed air traffic control changes aren't privatization, NASA's huge risk in Artemis II mission, and more.
reason.org
November 17, 2025 at 11:43 PM
The shutdown may be over, but America’s air traffic control system is still vulnerable and in need of modernization.
Most other countries insulated their air traffic systems from politics. It’s time we do the same to protect passengers, planes, and progress.
Most other countries insulated their air traffic systems from politics. It’s time we do the same to protect passengers, planes, and progress.
Too often, pregnant women in jail receive inadequate care. A new Ohio bill would change that by requiring correctional facilities to report pregnancy data. It’s a critical first step toward accountability and safer maternal care behind bars.
Tracking pregnancy behind bars: Why Ohio’s House Bill 542 could save lives
A ten-year review of jail births found that, among the women who gave birth inside cells, one in four infants was stillborn or died within two weeks.
reason.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Too often, pregnant women in jail receive inadequate care. A new Ohio bill would change that by requiring correctional facilities to report pregnancy data. It’s a critical first step toward accountability and safer maternal care behind bars.
Rent freezes, eviction bans, and strict rent caps were meant to protect renters, but they’ve had the opposite effect: fewer available units and rising rents across New York City.
The decade of regulation: How New York City’s housing policies fueled rental inflation
Understanding how regulatory layering has driven rental inflation in New York City is critical to forging solutions that restore the rental market.
reason.org
November 13, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Rent freezes, eviction bans, and strict rent caps were meant to protect renters, but they’ve had the opposite effect: fewer available units and rising rents across New York City.
With more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles on the road, the gas tax no longer provides stable funding for infrastructure.
Mileage-based user fees offer a fairer solution, but they’ll need to protect drivers’ privacy, offer choices, and deliver better roads and bridges with the fees.
Mileage-based user fees offer a fairer solution, but they’ll need to protect drivers’ privacy, offer choices, and deliver better roads and bridges with the fees.
Building public trust in mileage-based road funding - Reason Foundation
Mileage-based user fees can either become another tax or a smarter, privacy-safe way to fund the roads people rely on.
reason.org
November 11, 2025 at 11:16 PM
With more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles on the road, the gas tax no longer provides stable funding for infrastructure.
Mileage-based user fees offer a fairer solution, but they’ll need to protect drivers’ privacy, offer choices, and deliver better roads and bridges with the fees.
Mileage-based user fees offer a fairer solution, but they’ll need to protect drivers’ privacy, offer choices, and deliver better roads and bridges with the fees.
Mounting flight cancellations may be playing a role in Congress finally moving to end the government shutdown.
Unlike most countries with independent air traffic systems, the U.S. relies on Congress, leaving it exposed to political gridlock. That needs to be fixed after the shutdown ends.
Unlike most countries with independent air traffic systems, the U.S. relies on Congress, leaving it exposed to political gridlock. That needs to be fixed after the shutdown ends.
FAA emergency order grounds flights for tens of thousands of travelers - Reason Foundation
Required flight cuts begin at 4% on Nov. 7, increase to 6% on Nov. 11, then 8% on Nov. 13, and finally peak at 10% on Nov. 14 and beyond.
reason.org
November 11, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Mounting flight cancellations may be playing a role in Congress finally moving to end the government shutdown.
Unlike most countries with independent air traffic systems, the U.S. relies on Congress, leaving it exposed to political gridlock. That needs to be fixed after the shutdown ends.
Unlike most countries with independent air traffic systems, the U.S. relies on Congress, leaving it exposed to political gridlock. That needs to be fixed after the shutdown ends.
The most powerful opponents to reforming the air traffic control system are members of Congress and the business jet community. Depoliticizing air traffic control will not happen until those two obstacles are overcome.
America’s longest government shutdown shows why we must free air traffic control from politics
Nations that moved air traffic control out of politics have better tech, no shutdown chaos, and stable funding. Congress keeps choosing dysfunction instead.
reason.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:06 PM
The most powerful opponents to reforming the air traffic control system are members of Congress and the business jet community. Depoliticizing air traffic control will not happen until those two obstacles are overcome.
As cars become more fuel-efficient and more people buy electric vehicles, gas taxes aren’t a sustainable way to pay for roads and bridges.
A new approach would charge drivers per mile on major highways using electronic tolling, helping ensure drivers who use the roads pay for them.
A new approach would charge drivers per mile on major highways using electronic tolling, helping ensure drivers who use the roads pay for them.
November 8, 2025 at 9:36 PM
As cars become more fuel-efficient and more people buy electric vehicles, gas taxes aren’t a sustainable way to pay for roads and bridges.
A new approach would charge drivers per mile on major highways using electronic tolling, helping ensure drivers who use the roads pay for them.
A new approach would charge drivers per mile on major highways using electronic tolling, helping ensure drivers who use the roads pay for them.
Relying on Congress for funding is why American air traffic control technology is outdated and lags behind that of large air traffic control systems in countries such as Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and others.
Only in America: Burbank’s air traffic control shutdown
It’s time for the U.S. to join the rest of the world in recognizing that governments should regulate safety but not run air traffic control.
reason.org
November 8, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Relying on Congress for funding is why American air traffic control technology is outdated and lags behind that of large air traffic control systems in countries such as Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and others.
This month's Surface Transportation Newsletter looks at why express toll lanes are performing well, why traffic congestion now is worse than ever, how updates to environmental and driverless truck rules could speed up projects, and more. ⬇️
Surface Transportation News: The strong performance of express toll lanes - Reason Foundation
Plus: U.S. traffic congestion at record high levels, reforming environmental litigation, and more.
reason.org
November 8, 2025 at 12:44 AM
This month's Surface Transportation Newsletter looks at why express toll lanes are performing well, why traffic congestion now is worse than ever, how updates to environmental and driverless truck rules could speed up projects, and more. ⬇️
Outdated building codes, like requiring two staircases in mid-rise apartments, even though modern safety systems make that unnecessary, cause wasted space, higher costs, and fewer homes. Updating rules like this could unlock safer, more affordable housing.
The staircase rule that’s limiting housing growth
Revisiting the two-stair requirement in building code could improve spatial efficiency and expand housing options.
reason.org
November 7, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Outdated building codes, like requiring two staircases in mid-rise apartments, even though modern safety systems make that unnecessary, cause wasted space, higher costs, and fewer homes. Updating rules like this could unlock safer, more affordable housing.
The way the government shutdown is impacting air travelers wouldn't happen in most countries. Robert Poole says it’s time for the U.S. to join the rest of the world in having the government regulate safety, but not run air traffic control.
Only in America: Burbank’s air traffic control shutdown
It’s time for the U.S. to join the rest of the world in recognizing that governments should regulate safety but not run air traffic control.
reason.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:59 PM
The way the government shutdown is impacting air travelers wouldn't happen in most countries. Robert Poole says it’s time for the U.S. to join the rest of the world in having the government regulate safety, but not run air traffic control.
The Army Corps of Engineers tested public-private partnerships for water projects, saving over $500 million and 23 years of construction time across four projects. But strict rules limited who could participate.
November 7, 2025 at 1:19 AM
The Army Corps of Engineers tested public-private partnerships for water projects, saving over $500 million and 23 years of construction time across four projects. But strict rules limited who could participate.
Our recent report finds that while public pension funding has improved over the previous year, governments have still saved only 78 cents of every dollar needed to provide promised retirement benefits.
Report: State and local pension plans have $1.48 trillion in debt - Reason Foundation
State pension systems have $1.29 trillion in unfunded liabilities, and local governments have $187 billion.
reason.org
November 7, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Our recent report finds that while public pension funding has improved over the previous year, governments have still saved only 78 cents of every dollar needed to provide promised retirement benefits.
California has passed a new AI law that focuses on transparency rather than regulation. AI companies building extremely powerful models now have to share their safety plans, report major risks, and disclose incidents.
November 6, 2025 at 2:24 AM
California has passed a new AI law that focuses on transparency rather than regulation. AI companies building extremely powerful models now have to share their safety plans, report major risks, and disclose incidents.