Leadership
Why Cybersecurity Awareness Month should be every month
COMMENTARY | Cybercrime costs have surpassed $10 trillion globally, illustrating the relentless threat and why state CISOs say they want the spotlight on cybersecurity year-round.
State CIOs take on bigger role in natural disasters
A recent survey of state tech leaders found that CIOs are increasingly an integral part of state emergency operations, tasked with making sure critical systems and communications remain available.
Governors' salaries are absurd—but not for the reason you think
COMMENTARY | Objecting to pay raises for governors and mayors is an empty gesture.
Want your community to be climate resilient? Put someone in charge.
COMMENTARY | As billions of federal climate dollars flood state and local coffers, governments need people in place who have the authority to coordinate, fund and carry out a plan to build resilience.
Meet the 2024 Rising Stars
This year's cohort of Rising Stars has been selected for their accomplishments and impact over the past year and for their leadership potential.
Nearly half of all lieutenant governors are women. Could the future of the governor's office be female?
If Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is elected vice president, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan will be the first Native American female governor. She's one of a growing number of women of color serving in the No. 2 spot.
How hot weather can tamper with your words
As a heat wave continues to impact many parts of the Midwest and Northeast, a new study finds that politicians tend to use shorter words in speeches on hot days.
Illinois' child welfare agency goes on a hiring spree
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has reduced hiring times for frontline workers from nine months to just a few weeks. Agency leaders hope a bigger staff will help improve the lives of kids it serves.
Local news is crucial to governance, and it’s hurting
COMMENTARY | Public officials need to support it any way they can. It’s good for their communities, and it's good for them.
The 5 best movies about state or local government, part 2
Lights, camera, action! In honor of this weekend’s Oscar Awards, here are our team’s top picks.
Featured eBooks
What does a state’s secretary of state do? Most run elections, a once-routine job facing increasing scrutiny
COMMENTARY | As the chief election official, a secretary of state’s influence over the democratic process can extend to every single elected office.
Introducing the 2023 Rising Stars
Route Fifty is proud to participate in the Rising Star Awards, a program that recognizes innovative, early-career individuals who are already having an outsized impact in the government IT community.
Understanding Gen Z in the public sector
Managers can benefit by better engaging and communicating with the newest generation of workers in cities, counties and states.
9 leadership behaviors that create great places to work
COMMENTARY | Creating a great place to work requires a culture of trust, and leaders who master these nine behaviors will create that culture and more successfully attract and retain talent.
The Five Best Movies About State or Local Government
The glitz! The glamour! The government officials! In honor of this weekend’s Oscar Awards, here are our team’s top picks depicting everything from municipal water wars to prominent politicians.
12 Women Set to Take Office as Governor in 2023
COMMENTARY | A record-breaking number of women were elected governor in November. Here are 7 things to know about how that happened.
Michigan Test Drives Country’s First Mobility Officer
Trevor Pawl hopes transformations in the automotive industry will also help state government replace “Depression Era departmental structures” with more nimble organizations.
Managers, Err On The Side Of Too Much Communication
COMMENTARY | It's better for managers to give employees too much communication than too little, researchers report.
The Perks of Positivity May Depend on Race and Culture
The supposedly universal benefits of positivity may not generalize across races, research indicates.
‘Historic’ Funding to Help Struggling Farmers, Develop New Ag Leaders
“The idea here obviously is to enlarge the number of people that are engaged in this very important occupation and calling,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said.
