Public Options for Mayor
Economic Security Project
HR&A conducted case study research for the Economic Security Project to demonstrate how public options can enhance economic power for all Americans by providing publicly-funded alternatives to traditionally private services. Through detailed analysis of four successful initiatives across the country, HR&A showcased viable models and implementation strategies that policymakers can replicate to make markets more competitive and accessible in their own communities.
HR&A’s research focused on diverse public options that address critical community needs while proving government’s ability to deliver effective alternatives to private markets. The firm examined Chattanooga’s Electric Power Board, which achieved record-setting high-speed internet deployment, and California’s CalRx Biosimilar Insulin Initiative, positioned to benefit 3.5 million Californians with diabetes. Additional case studies included Los Angeles’ AngelenoConnect fee-free banking services and Baldwin Market, a municipal grocery store improving food accessibility in northern Florida. Each analysis provided comprehensive insights into funding mechanisms, implementation strategies, and the broader role government can play in creating competitive markets that serve community interests.
The resulting case studies serve as both inspiration and practical toolkits for policymakers nationwide, demonstrating that public options represent viable pathways to economic empowerment. By documenting successful models across different sectors and geographies, HR&A helped ESP build a compelling evidence base that supports local action and broader adoption of public options. These resources, now available online, equip communities with the knowledge and confidence needed to pursue their own public option initiatives, amplifying the potential for systemic change in how essential services are delivered across the United States.
