Recent articles by Mark Funkhouser from governing.com http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=128908208 Dr. Mark Funkhouser, a former Kansas City mayor and auditor, is the director of the Governing Institute. Accountability, Transparency and the Uncertain Future of GASB http://www.governing.com/gov-institute/funkhouser/col-accountability-transparency-uncertain-future-gasb-governmental-accounting-standards-board.html The standards-setting board for government financial reporting has been embroiled in one controversy after another, but the latest fight could result in the gutting of GASB's influence. The Enemy of Good Management http://www.governing.com/gov-institute/funkhouser/gov-enemy-good-management.html A new book has it right: We need to change the way we budget. When the Government Workspace is Dirty and Dangerous http://www.governing.com/gov-institute/funkhouser/col-government-employee-workspace-dirty-dangerous-tennessee-privatization.html It’s tough to find the money and political support to provide public workers with safe, clean places to do their jobs. Tennessee went the privatization route, and the results look promising. The Public Safety Tipping Point: When Saving Money Loses Lives http://www.governing.com/gov-institute/funkhouser/gov-public-safety-tipping-point.html You can only tell you're not spending enough on public safety when it’s too late. Municipal Securities and the Exploding Demand for Transparency http://www.governing.com/gov-institute/funkhouser/col-municipal-securities-state-local-government-investors-disclosures-transparency.html Wary investors and analysts not only want more information than ever, they want better information and they want it all now. Giving it to them could be a good deal for governments. The Challenge for Detroit's Next Mayor: Getting Along with the Neighbors http://www.governing.com/gov-institute/funkhouser/col-mike-duggan-benny-napoleon-detroit-mayor-relationship-suburbs.html Regime change is coming to Detroit. The next mayor will have an opportunity to heal the long dysfunctional marriage between the city and its suburbs. Job Creation and the Snake Oil of Tax Incentives http://www.governing.com/gov-institute/funkhouser/col-tax-incentives-economic-development-good-jobs-first.html The pressure to give away the public's money for economic development is as strong as ever, but the pushback is growing. IRS Scandal Shows What Happens When Bureaucracy is Pushed Too Far http://www.governing.com/gov-institute/funkhouser/gov-irs-scandal-shows-consequences-bureaucracy.html Bureaucracy allows us to do big things. But like every tool, it needs to be maintained and wielded with care and control. Kevyn Orr, Rick Snyder and a Genuine Effort to Reinvent Detroit http://www.governing.com/gov-institute/funkhouser/col-reinvent-detroit-bankruptcy-kevynn-orr-rick-snyder.html Emergency manager Kevyn Orr and Gov. Rick Snyder say they want the city to emerge from bankruptcy as a livable, sustainable city. It looks like they really mean it. Mike Hein's Campaign to Reinvent Ulster County, N.Y. http://www.governing.com/gov-institute/funkhouser/col-mike-hein-ulster-county-new-york-executive-innovation.html A New York county manager who made the jump to elective office is looking to fundamentally change how local government operates. Why the Federal Budget Crisis Won't be Solved in Washington http://www.governing.com/gov-institute/funkhouser/col-federal-budget-crisis-state-task-force.html Washington can't fix the broken structure that it built. The key is for state and local officials to channel an aroused citizenry. Raleigh and Oakland Are Overdoing Hands-On Government http://www.governing.com/gov-institute/funkhouser/raleigh-and-oakland-are-overdoing-hands-on-govt.html In these cities, as in many more across the country, elected council members have confused governing with administering. The SEC and Harrisburg: the Wrong Path to Fiscal Transparency http://www.governing.com/gov-institute/funkhouser/col-securities-exchange-commission-sec-harrisburg-fraud-mayor-speech.html In charging Harrisburg with securities fraud based partly on a former mayor's state-of-the-city speech, the SEC is taking a path it shouldn't. Los Angeles Leads the Way in Police Auditing http://www.governing.com/gov-institute/funkhouser/gov-los-angeles-leads-in-police-auditing.html The City of Angels established the nation’s first Police Performance Auditing School to train individuals to deal with the many complaints filed against cops. A How-To Manual for Bringing Citizens' Voices to the Public-Policy Table http://www.governing.com/gov-institute/funkhouser/col-carolyn-lukensmeyer-citizen-voices-public-trust-government.html It's vital that we begin restoring the public's trust in government. A recently published book amounts to a detailed manual for officials who want to take on that challenge.