2011 state legislative guide

"In 2011, nearly one of every five state legislators is a freshman. The November 2010 mid-term elections saw 19 state chambers switch party control -- bringing fresh faces and new ideas to state capitals throughout the U.S. New and veteran lawmakers alike are now facing critical issues: unfunded pension liabilities, ballooning Medicaid enrollment, massive budget gaps, and failing education systems, to name a few. The Cato State Legislative Guide is designed to help state policymakers address these and other important issues and free their constituents from the burden of overextended government. Broken down into five core policy areas -- education, transportation, tax and budget, health care, criminal justice -- each section provides: Specific policy ideas from Cato Institute experts on how legislators can put their states back on a fiscally sustainable path that maximizes freedom. A "best of" list of Cato publications in each subject area, offering in-depth analysis and data in support of our recommendations. Contact information for the Cato scholars in each area of research."