Tag: DAN SMITH

RSA provided a startup loan to its actuary in 2005, which Alabama economist calls a ‘major conflict of interest’

The Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) provided a startup loan to its current actuary in 2005. One economist is saying this is a conflict of interest that allows the public pension to appear more stable than it really is to lawmakers.

Leaked emails: Troy trustees plotted to censor free-market think tank for criticizing state government's economic incentives after Alabama Power, BCA complaints

A leaked email conversation between several trustees at Troy University shows prominent individuals in the state discussing how to “vet topics” at a university-affiliated think tank for being critical of economic incentive programs due to complaints from Alabama Power and the Business Council of Alabama (BCA). 

'Good-ole-boy-type cronyism,' 'Pro-business but not pro-economic freedom': Heavy-handed tactics alleged at Troy University to stop criticism of RSA, force backing of economic incentives

A former professor at Troy University is accusing the college of targeting him for criticizing the Retirement System of Alabama (RSA).

Economist: Alabama has a history of making ‘drastic moves in the wrong direction,’ criticizes economic incentives, state income tax, retirement system

State legislators have consistently insisted the state can't afford to permanently cut income taxes, much less eliminate them altogether. Lawmakers have also strayed away from reforming the state’s retirement system, even as it reported negative returns in 2022. One economist says they’re all wrong.