Author Archive
Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene
Management
How to Regain Citizens' Trust After a Financial Scandal
Just getting rid of the people involved isn't enough. A complex task follows for local leaders to restore faith in the government.
Finance
How Cities and Counties Are Thinking Big With Their ARPA Plans
Across the country, some local governments are using federal aid from the American Rescue Plan to launch "transformational" projects in areas like affordable housing, public safety and ridding homes of lead—things that will endure long after the money is spent.
Management
Why Job Applicants Are Frustrated With the State and Local Government Hiring Process
New survey findings reveal that many workers are interested in public sector jobs, but get bogged down in the application phase.
Health & Human Services
The 'Impossible' Federal Standard States Can't Meet as They Work to Assist Low-Income Families
Critics say a longstanding performance metric for work participation that is part of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program is faulty and should be reformed.
Management
A State Tries to Attract Public Workers Who Have Resume Gaps
In Utah, a first-of-its kind program provides training and mentorship for people taking government jobs after time away from the workforce.
Management
How to Recruit and Manage Short-term Workers
State and local governments have greater reliance on temporary staff, but challenges abound. There are new ways to make these arrangements work.
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.
Featured eBooks
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.
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