Author Archive
Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene
Management
5 Ways to Overcome the Hiring and Retention Crisis Without Raising Pay
Higher salaries alone are unlikely to be a cure-all for public sector workforce shortages. Some states and localities are experimenting with other approaches for attracting and keeping employees.
Finance
Successful Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Public Employees
Some department vacancies are 20% to 30%, but governments are making headway filling positions and keeping workers with signing bonuses as high as $20,000 and big hourly wage hikes.
Health & Human Services
Collaboration Provides Effective Approach to State's Human Services
Oklahoma is on the cutting edge of a national trend bringing foundations, nonprofits and the Department of Human Services together to help residents in need.
Tech & Data
Local Leaders 'Cannot Hide From Technology'
The National Association of Counties is launching a new effort to help public sector officials better understand technology so they can make informed decisions about cybersecurity and IT budgeting and staffing.
Management
How Cities and Counties Are Dumping Abandoned Properties
Vacant building issues include unpaid property taxes, fires and crime, but localities are making some progress reining them in.
Tech & Data
Governments Turning to Data to Find Solutions to Equity Issues
It’s easy for leaders to pronounce that they’re going to make a fairer state or locality. Here's how several states, counties and cities are utilizing information to achieve their goals.
Management
The Public Sector Turnover Crisis
Rising turnover in state and local government has compounded problems of staff shortages that lead to mandatory overtime, employee burnout and compromised service delivery.
Management
How to Effectively Manage the Growing Multigenerational Workforce
Baby boomers are becoming a smaller part of government staffs. An expert provides guidance on developing and retaining Generations X, Y and Z.
Management
A Pandemic Silver Lining: Public Meetings Have Become More Public
Covid-19 forced governments to have all virtual gatherings. There are disadvantages, government leaders say, but a hybrid meeting model may be here to stay.
Management
Grappling With the Public Sector Workforce Shortage Crush
When positions aren’t appealing to applicants, sometimes the jobs need to be changed, government hiring officials say.
Health & Human Services
The Government Job Application Drop-off is 'Snowballing'
The data is alarming: Between fiscal 2019 and 2021, applications per job dropped 32% in states and localities, data shows. But there are strategies to counteract the trend.
Featured eBooks
Management
Leveraging State and Local Buying Power to Improve Resilience and Sustainability
COMMENTARY | Carefully spent, purchasing dollars can be one of the most potent tools to help the nation combat its environmental concerns.
Management
How the Pandemic Can Help Government Prepare for Future Crises
COMMENTARY | A new report provides a dozen lessons learned from Covid-19 that can help governments at all levels deal with diseases and natural disasters to come.
Management
The Toll of Compassion Fatigue on Government Employees
Traumas can be contagious. When public sector workers are exposed to endless stories of pain, they can develop mental health and other problems.
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