The Philanthropy of the Rich Does Have a Cost to Taxpayers

The NYT reported on a new philanthropic trend among the wealthy, where rich people try to use their money to deliberately influence public policy in part by funding pilot programs that can serve as a model for larger public programs. At one point the article refers to funding for various education projects in New York and Newark and told readers:

"Officials in New York and Newark say the money from private sources will not replace existing public programs, but will instead allow rapid...