For Immediate Release: February 18, 1998

San Francisco -- Lance Izumi, Senior Fellow in California Studies at the Pacific Research Institute, has been named columnist and contributing editor of California Journal, the state's premier political monthly.

Mr. Izumi's "State of the State" column will appear in every issue and focus on key public-policy issues such as union-only government contracts, his subject in the current February issue. Noting that studies have found that such contracts increase costs and reduce quality, Mr. Izumi promotes free competition to ensure that "the interests of the taxpaying public, not monopolistic union bosses, are given priority."

Co-Director of the Institute's Center for Innovation in Education, Mr. Izumi is the author of numerous studies including last year's acclaimed California Index of Leading Education Indicators. Currently engaged in a study of state education standards, Mr. Izumi is also a regular contributor to the "Perspectives" series of commentaries on KQED, National Public Radio's San Francisco affiliate.

The Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy (PRI) is California's leading market-based public policy organization. PRI's studies in education, the environment, health care reform and other public policy issues have been frequently cited and used by state legislators.

###

The Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the principles of individual freedom and personal responsibility. The Institute believes these principles are best encouraged through policies that emphasize a free economy, private initiative, and limited government. By focusing on public policy issues such as health care, welfare, education, and the environment, the Institute strives to foster a better understanding of the principles of a free society among leaders in government, academia, the media, and the business community.