Author Archive
Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene
Public Safety
Public Health Should Be 'Pivotal' Part of Emergency Response
COMMENTARY | Could reform of emergency call systems play an important role in improving safety as well as police-community relations? A new 911 reform initiative is betting it could.
Finance
A Transparent Look at How Governments Are Spending the $350B in ARPA Funds
On Aug. 31, states and large localities had to provide reports on how they are allocating their federal funds. They also have to post them on transparency websites, which can help them learn from one another and coordinate spending plans.
Management
The Public Sector Retirement Explosion
COMMENTARY | For years, human resources officials worried about an alarming exodus of government retirees. Now it’s here—and it's because of Covid-19.
Management
How Local Governments Can Prevent Building Disasters
Some governments are beginning to take steps to prevent the kind of tragedy that took the lives of nearly 100 people in a Surfside, Florida, condominium collapse in June.
Finance
Legislators and Governors Battle Over Who Spends the Rescue Act Money
Power struggles between the executive and legislative branches are nothing new, but they are particularly vigorous with $350 billion in federal dollars at stake.
Finance
A 5-Step Guide to Spending the American Rescue Plan Money
States and localities have an enormous opportunity to create a better future if they spend the federal rescue funds wisely. Here’s how to do that.
Finance
How to Fix Skyrocketing Overtime
Overtime is often a necessary cost, but to deploy it effectively, officials need reliable data to track where and how it is being used and who is using it.
Health & Human Services
Racial Biases Persist in Public Sector Hiring. What can be done?
A new study shows that Black candidates are at an enormous disadvantage in making it through the government hiring process. But states and cities are finding solutions.
Finance
Getting the 'Bosses of Procurement' to Understand its Strategic Value
State procurement departments have been front and center during the pandemic. Once the crisis wanes, focus on procurement may diminish, but officials say it needs ongoing high-level attention.
Tech & Data
Centralizing State IT Functions Gains Momentum
Connecticut is building an information technology organization within its government, joining a number of other states consolidating people, hardware and software to reduce costs and inefficiencies.
Management
'A Troubling Trend': Independent State Program Evaluation Under Attack
Without a vote, the legislative leadership in North Carolina closed the state’s program evaluation division. Experts say the growing power of legislative leaders presents an accelerating danger for transparent, publicly available evaluation.
Featured eBooks
Infrastructure
What Can Parks Do When Demand Rises as Budgets Decline?
Though there may be greater appreciation for the nation’s parks, many are still fighting for funding. Some states are finding solutions.
Health & Human Services
If Your State is Struggling With the Vaccine Rollout, This Is Probably Why
Intergovernmental relations are never easy. But they’re vital when confronting the logistical nightmare of inoculating a nation.
Finance
Equity Budgeting in Cities: Directing Dollars Where They’re Needed Most
A growing number of cities are turning to their budget offices to help treat historically underserved communities more fairly.
Health & Human Services
Paid Sick Leave and the Prolonged Pandemic
State HR officials are concerned that if they can’t find a way to extend paid sick leave benefits, employees will start showing up to work contagious.
Smart Cities
How Downtowns Can Rebound After the Pandemic
They have to offer more than office space.
Management
A Burnout Crisis Hits Government
COMMENTARY | A soon-to-be released survey reveals some surprising findings about local and state public sector employees’ struggles and how helping them feel connected to each other can reduce burnout.
Tech & Data
How to Fairly Use Algorithms to Make Tough Decisions
COMMENTARY | With computer power increasingly used to guide policies adopted by states and local leaders, governments need to take steps to ensure the underlying algorithms aren’t biased.
Health & Human Services
More Crucial Than Ever, EMS Agencies Are Short Staffed and Overworked
COMMENTARY | Adequately staffing emergency medical services has been a problem for some time, potentially putting lives at stake. The pandemic threatens to make shortages worse.
Tech & Data