Competition and Government Services: Can Massachusetts Still Afford the Pacheco Law?

Authors: Geoffrey Segal, Adrian Moore, Adam Summers

When faced with insufficient revenues, state governments typically have four options: increase taxes, scale back expenditures, spend down reserves, or seek ways to provide services more efficiently through contracting with private providers. Massachusetts, however, has only the first three options available; it is the only state in the nation that has virtually outlawed the privatization of public services.

Competition & Government Services: Can Massachusetts Still Afford the Pacheco Law