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The 'Reason Foundation' is a nonprofit think tank founded in 1986 that also publishes ''Reason magazine''. Based in Los Angeles, Reason is self-described as nonpartisan and publishes a statement of values that can best be described as libertarian. Like most think tanks, they are a tax exempt organization that provides papers and studies to support a particular set of values. According to Reason's web site, these are "the values of individual freedom and choice, limited government, and market-friendly policies." Many of the foundation's studies focus on California issues and issues involving local governments. Affiliated projects include Privatization.org, UrbanFutures, NewEnvironmentalism.org. Charity Navigator, an independent rating group, rated the foundation with two out of four stars.
In 2006 the Reason Foundation sponsored a Reason in Amsterdam conference with South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, former Estonian prime minister Mart Laar, and journalist Andrew Sullivan.
Also in 2006, Reason issued a report attacking municipal Wi-Fi project iProvo as financially unstable and ineffective at lowering Internet costs or raising broadband use.[1] Provo responded vigorously with a white paper rebutting Reason's conclusions.[2] In particular, the iProvo team noted that the author of the report, Steven Titch, "is a technology and public relations consultant with strong ties to Qwest Communications, an incumbent provider who has opposed the concept of iProvo from its infancy." Titch claimed that there was no conflict of interest.[3] Others have noted that Reason received a $100,000 grant from AT&T the previous year[4], although AT&T does not seem to be necessarily opposed to municipal WiFi.[5]
Reason publishes a number of studies which oppose light rail and expansion of other mass transit systems. Funding for Reason comes from corporations and other organizations including the American Petroleum Institute, Chevron, ExxonMobil, DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motors, General Motors and Shell.

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External links

See also

★ Wise Use Movement

External links

★ Official site

★ SourceWatch on Reason Foundation