When In The Public Interest introduced the Taxpayer Empowerment Agenda, we knew we had serious work ahead of us to change the debate about privatization. The repercussions of the 2008 Financial Crisis and Great Recession were still being felt in statehouses across the country and elected officials were looking for quick fixes to fill large budget gaps.
By the end of 2014, 19 states moved to reverse course on privatizing government functions, signifying a momentous shift in the way we think about what it means to control our own public services and assets. But that was just the start. This year elected officials from ten states introduced one or more measures concerning responsible contracting. Check out the chart below to learn more about the legislation that has already passed or could pass soon:
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Obviously, this isn’t a partisan issue. Legislators in deep red Louisiana and Texas voted to hold contractors more accountable, much like legislators in a blue state like Maryland. Taxpayers and elected officials across the country and the ideological spectrum are standing up for the public services we depend on and fighting to ensure we maintain control of our services and assets. While the details of each bill are different, every piece of legislation is intended to improve transparency, increase accountability, or ensure privatization proposals are carefully studied to analyze potential impacts on the workforce and communities.
As elements of the Taxpayer Empowerment Agenda are adopted by states and cities across the country, In The Public Interest will continue our efforts to support campaigns and achieve significant victories in the fight for more responsible contracting processes. Thank you for your continued support as we work for democracy, shared prosperity, and the common good.