Mark Funkhouser

Recent Articles

• Why 'Politics' Shouldn't Be a Dirty Word
• Oct 4, 2012
• It's the way we get things done as a society. We seem to have lost sight of that.
• 6 Comments

• Bicycles, Beer and the Factory Jobs that Aren't Coming Back
• Oct 1, 2012
• Manufacturing is going the way of agriculture, which technology has reshaped to employ ever-fewer workers. But traditional manufacturing isn't the only game in town.
• 2 Comments

• Cities, Counties and the Urge to Merge
• Sep 28, 2012
• Consolidating governments is hard to do, but the idea keeps coming up.

• When the Music Stops
• Sep 27, 2012
• A lot of our symphony orchestras are in trouble, and the changing nature of cities is part of the problem. But Buck Owens may have some lessons for Beethoven.

• Essential Values and the American Character
• Sep 24, 2012
• We're better than we think we are, and so are our leaders. Just ask Tony Blair.
• 1 Comments

• The Bottom-Line Benefit of a Healthier Public Workforce
• Sep 20, 2012
• Some approaches to employee wellness programs have more of a track record than others. But they clearly can save a lot of money.

• The Subtle Slide into Municipal Bankruptcy
• Sep 17, 2012
• The insolvency that leads to local-government bankruptcy unfolds gradually. Public officials need to monitor and heed the early warnings.
• 7 Comments

• The Inexorable Pressure to Say Something Dumb
• Sep 13, 2012
• The 24-hour news cycle makes it all too easy for public officials to react too quickly. They would do better to "think gray."
• 2 Comments

• Riots, Rebellions and the Importance of Social Order
• Sep 10, 2012
• Effective government is critical to the stability we need for society to function. These days, that stability is threatened.
• 6 Comments

• What We Need Our Auditors to Do
• Aug 31, 2012
• It’s more crucial than ever to know whether government programs are effective.

• Cops, Cutbacks and Crime
• Aug 29, 2012
• It’s clear that more police, strategically deployed, reduce crime. Cities that are cutting their police forces are risking more than public safety.
• 2 Comments

• Government’s Big Bags of Money
• Aug 27, 2012
• Many jurisdictions lack good internal controls for handling the money their employees collect. A treasurers’ group can help fix that.

• The Qualities an Auditor Really Needs
• Aug 23, 2012
• Being a CPA isn’t necessarily one of them. Independence, courage and leadership are more important.
• 5 Comments

• When the Public’s Money Disappears
• Aug 20, 2012
• A team from the SEC has a message for public treasurers: If something "seems weird," give us a call.

• Can a Very Determined Mayor Save Gary, Indiana?
• Aug 16, 2012
• The declining industrial city has tried all the usual economic-development approaches. Mayor Freeman-Wilson has other ideas.
• 2 Comments