Putting Psychology to Work in the Public Sector
Three new books offer public officials insights into how people make judgments — and how institutions can make better decisions.
Authors
Tina Trenkner |
Email : ttrenkner@governing.com Twitter : @tinatrenknerTina Trenkner (@TinaTrenkner) is GOVERNING.com deputy web editor. She started at GOVERNING in 2009 and has covered stories such as the rise of the coder in local government and the risks of using social media. Previously, she worked for Education Week and Pre-K Now, a completed project from the Pew Center on the States. She is a graduate of Northwestern University and thinks of Evanston often.
Baltimore Police Chief Bealefeld to Retire in August
Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld announced Thursday night that he will retire after 31 years with the police force, reports the Baltimore Sun.
Tax Incentives Report: Half of States Not Evaluating Their Efficacy
Half of the states and Washington, D.C. do not have effective methods for evaluating tax incentives for economic development, according to a new report by the Pew Center on the States.
Connecticut Gov. Malloy on His Fixes for Budgets, Benefits, Jobs
Budget holes, public sector benefits and job creation: these are issues everyone governor is grappling with. Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy has made considerable progress on each of them, explaining his approach during a lunchtime keynote speech Tuesday.
No Second Term for N.C. Gov. Bev Perdue
North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue's campaign committee released a statement Thursday afternoon that she will not seek a second term.
Report: American Press Freedom Declines Due to Occupy Arrests
The United States has dropped 27 spots in Reporters Without Borders 10th annual World Press Freedom Index, now ranking at 47th in the world for press freedom.
Gabe Klein Pursues a Pedestrian-Friendly Message in Chicago
After instituting new bike lanes and one of the nation’s largest bikeshare programs in D.C., Klein hopes to have similar success as Chicago’s new transit chief.
Fighting for Union Equality in Wisconsin
Even though Gov. Scott Walker left public safety employees out of his attack on unions, the president of the Madison fire fighters union protested as if it were his own.
Florida’s Unlikely Emergency Management Director
Many are watching to see how former Wal-Mart executive Bryan Koon will adapt his private-sector knowledge to aiding the Sunshine State.
Director of D.C. Lottery Attempts to Go Online
Washington, D.C., hopes to roll out the nation’s first online intrastate casino. Buddy Roogow is leading the way.
Dealing with Disruptive Change in the Public Workforce
How can employees and managers address and benefit from changes in government? Patrick Ibarra, a former city manager and now workforce consultant, provides insight on how to keep employees focused and engaged.
Employing the Unemployed After A Disaster
U.S. Department of Labor grants help fund efforts like the Missouri Disaster Recovery Jobs Program, which provides temp jobs to those unemployed due to tornadoes and floods.
Ohio Lt. Governor's Job Is a Balancing Act
Mary Taylor is the only deputy to also serve as the state insurance commissioner, a position she balances along with heading up a regulatory reform commission.
Orange Beach, Ala., Mayor Works to Bring Tourists Back
Mayor Tony Kennon has pushed for bigger beach cleanup efforts, faster settlement of claims and larger marketing budgets to bring visitors back to Alabama's Gulf Coast.
Talking to Local Gov About Transparency
A recent transparency conference provided one Virginia local official the opportunity to explain the challenge governments like his face in embracing transparency initiatives.
What State is Next for Prize-Linked Savings Programs?
Credit union officials in Rhode Island are having discussions on a potential PLS pilot, while a few states are considering legislation allowing for such programs.
New York State's Medicaid Director Suggests Cuts
Jason Helgerson, formerly Wisconsin's Medicaid director, came to New York to help control costs.
States Considering Prize-Linked Savings Programs
Credit unions want permission to award cash and prizes to customers who save.
NYC Building Permits To Feature Quick Response Codes
Square codes on building permits allows passersby to learn more about construction via their smartphones.
Oakland, Calif. Elects First Female, Asian-American Mayor
Former City Councilmember Jean Quan hopes to make her office more accessible and transparent.
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City of Maricopa Profiles Local Businesses for TV and YouTube
Featuring Maricopa business owners through city channels provides credibility and publicity, and encourages citizens to buy local.
Video: O'Malley, Sebelius and Zandi at Outlook 2011
Maryland Gov. O'Malley, Sec. Sebelius, and economist Mark Zandi shared their fiscal and political forecasts at the 2011 Outlook on the States and Localities conference. Their remarks are now available online.
AZ Permits for Overweight Trucks Expedite Crossings at Border
An Arizona Department of Transportation pilot allows produce trucks from Mexico to enter the state with more cargo, helping expedite crossings.
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Utah Bill Proposes Community Service for Medicaid Pilot
The Utah Legislature is considering a bill that would set up a pilot program requiring unemployed Medicaid recipients to provide community service in order to receive benefits.
Can Dimmer Highway Lights Save Energy and Still Save Lives?
This is the question the Maryland State Highway Administration hopes to answer with a one-year pilot program.
Big Things Ahead for Nebraska's Speaker
Mike Flood, a lawyer and broadcaster, leads the nation's only unicameral Legislature.
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Offering Valet in Downtown Carolina Cities
To entice more people to enjoy downtown restaurants and attractions, Charleston, S.C. is pursuing a year-long valet pilot program. Chapel Hill, N.C., currently operates a similar valet parking program.
Governing: State and local government news and analysis
Local Coders Help Improve Government Functions
There’s a new breed of software developer helping local government.
Foursquare and 2010 Political Data
Could Foursquare predict voter sentiment and election results? A few online projects are testing how the location-based social platform can be utilized for election and political coverage.
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Scottsdale Librarians Call Ghost Hunters, Attracting Visitors
As part of their adult programming, the Scottsdale Public Library invited local investigators to search for paranormal activity. What librarians found was an increase in interest and visits.
Governing: State and local government news and analysis
States' Regulation on the Gadsden Flag
Is flying the "Don't Tread on Me" flag a protected nod to America’s past? Some states’ laws are unclear.
Foursquare and 2010 Election Data
A couple of online projects are trying Foursquare to test how the location-based social platform can be utilized for election coverage.
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A Less Traditional Format for Boulder's Meetings
Would constituents be more likely to attend meetings on upcoming city projects if they knew that pumpkin painting, concerts or pancake breakfasts would be offered? Boulder, Colo., city officials think so.
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Los Angeles and Beijing Partner to Battle Congestion
Two cities, notorious for their traffic congestion problems, propose a partnership to share resources and research on how to combat these issues.
States Take a Closer Look at Interstate Tolling
States stuck with maintaining federal highways are paying more attention to the potential of interstate tolls.
A Simple Way to Explain Health Care Reform
Does thinking about health care reform make your head hurt? A video by the Kaiser Family Foundation makes things easy.
Governing: State and local government news and analysis
New York Illegal Sublet Law Affects Vacation Rentals
A clarification in New York's housing laws targets illegal hotel operators -- and apartment owners.
Enrolling Childless Adults in Medicaid
A report from the Kaiser Family Foundation can help states prepare to enroll and care for childless adults that will be eligible for Medicaid in 2014.
Governing: State and local government news and analysis
Finding Public Officials' Salary Info
If citizens wanted to find out how much money their public officials make, just how easy is it for them to find this information?
Taking a Swipe at Card-Swiping Fees
A growing source of profit for card companies took a hit in Vermont.
Governing: State and local government news and analysis
Seattle Tackles Broadband
Seattle is considering building its own fiber-to-the-home network. Should the city get involved when its residents are already connected?
Wireless Takes San Francisco to Court
A new city ordinance requiring retailers to display how much radiation cell phones give off is causing quite a stir with the wireless industry.
Protecting Student Test Scores From Recruiters
A new Maryland law prohibits schools from sending test scores to military recruiters. It might protect student privacy, but prevent career discovery.
'Race' Deja Vu
If the education news you read over the last 24 hours sounds familiar, it's because of a January and June deadline for Race to the Top.
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Growing Green Jobs for Vets
Training veterans in urban forestry provides them with job skills and a potential career. It also helps Denver get a little closer to its goal of planting 1 million trees.
Paying for Lost Time
What is the responsibility of states to innocent people wrongly convicted of a crime?
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Nashville's ReBuild Clinics
Nashville residents affected by flash floods have a day dedicated for meeting with a team of volunteer advisers on how to create a rebuilding and recovery plan.
Ethics Codes: Too Long? Too Short?
Does the length of an ethics code affect how much it can help public employees? An assistant city manager in California responds.
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Scanning Drivers Licenses at the Polls
Scanning driver's license bar codes to check-in voters could minimize the amount of time waiting at the polls.
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Solving Two Problems with One Program
A partnership in Maine could help repair homes and provide disadvantaged workers with career training.
Governing: State and local government news and analysis
Groceries at the Library
Libraries are evolving to offer a wider variety of services, including grocery ordering and pick up.
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Blowing Up Bridges?
If your county needs to demolish a major structure but doesn't have the funds to do so, where can commissioners turn? One Pinellas County, Florida...
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Judges and Truancy Teams
Truancy, or unexcused absences from school, can be an early indicator of potential troubling behaviors. In Maryland, truants at select schools may be able to...
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Ohio A.G. Protects Small Biz
In Ohio, if a small business had a problem with dishonest vendors or unfair practices, they had few options to make things right. The state's...
Guns on Campus
After the 2007 Virginia Tech tragedy and in the wake of the recent University of Alabama in Huntsville shooting, people who study or work on a...
Lose the Local Newspaper, Get Re-elected?
Over the weekend, Time magazine highlighted a new study from Princeton that may predict what could happen to a city if one of its daily ...
Asphalt with a Side of Chicken
Fast-food chain KFC is offering to fix four cities' pothole problems in a public-private partnership designed to help advertise the freshness of the restaurant's ...
Municipal Government as Must See TV
A few people at Governing are anticipating tonight's premiere of NBC's "Parks and Recreation," a mockumentary about a deputy director of ... ...
A Tree (and Fruits and Veggies) Grow in Detroit
What exactly is growing in Detroit right now? A little digging finds that urban gardens have and are taking root in the Motor City. The ...
California's Budget Isn't a Game. Oh Wait. Yeah, It Is.
Nobody envies the position California's lawmakers are in. They have a $21.3 billion hole to fill. But do those of us who aren't state ...
2009 Webby for Best Government Site: "Making Infrastructure Sexy"
This week, the 13th annual Webbys were awarded to Web sites that exemplify the best on the Internet each year. The distinctive aspect of the ...
Former Officials: Beware of Comments Amplified via Facebook
Lots of Facebook users share things on their own and on others' profiles, like how much they can't wait for the new Harry Potter ...
Brad Pitt: Most Eligible ... Mayor?
This morning on the TODAY show, Ann Curry interviewed Brad Pitt, and she asked if he would consider running for mayor of New Orleans. Most ...
Trekking through Niagara Falls
GOVERNING's design director David Kidd and c orrespondent Rob Gurwitt traveled to the Niagara Falls region for a September story comparing the economic conditions ...
Niagara Falls, By Way of Boston
In this installment of Story Behind the Story, correspondent Rob Gurwitt learned just how much someone would travel to see both sides of Niagara Falls. ...
Story Behind the Story On Hiatus This Week
Over the last few days, Governing's office has been buzzing over our Managing Performance conference in Atlanta this week. In lieu of another installment ...
High on Government
I've been traveling around the country, photographing people and places for GOVERNING, for almost a year now. The obvious location to make pictures of dedicated ...
'Twas the Night Before Christmas -- B&G Edition
Photo courtesy of alsandro, Wikimedia Commons. In lieu of a Question of the Week that we usually post on Facebook and LinkedIn (requires sign-in and ...
The Winner of the 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, B&G Edition
Photo courtesy of pugetsoundphotowalks, Creative Commons. Here at Governing, we wanted to have a little fun for the holidays. So we posted a government-themed holiday ...
'Twas the Night Before Christmas: Finalist #3
For our final entry in the 'Twas the Night Before Christmas government-poem contest, an entry from Colorado: 'Twas the ...
Move over Highway Gothic, Make Way for Clearview
You may not really notice it, but the fonts used on the signs you read have a huge role in how you receive information. If ...
Public Records in a Box
On Facebook, both seasoned users and newbies may struggle with what to put in the little box below the profile picture that says "Write ...
Open Government: One Year Later
One year ago, President Obama released his Open Goverment memo, encouraging more transparency. How much progress has been made one year later? Chris Quigley, founder ...
A British Take on 'The Next Age of Government'
Last month, when I spoke to e-communications firm Delib founder Chris Quigley (who filmed a short documentary about President Obama's Open Government memo one ...
Online Metrics for Government Sites
Governments have performance data to judge the efficiency of the programs they put in place. Naturally, online sites have metrics too. How soon will that ...
Race to the Top's First Round Winners
The U.S. Department of Education announced the first winners of Race to the Top, the $4.35 billion grant program encouraging states to make big reforms ...
Millennials, Internships and Government
Last week, Governing's Public Workforce newsletter writer, Heather Kerrigan, and I were throwing around some potential story ideas to cover this summer. One topic ...
Cancer-Causing Phones?
Andrea Boland is worried about cell phone safety, but unlike a lot of state legislators, her focus is not talking or texting while driving. Instead,...
Rushing to Pay for Education Reform
The week before Jan. 19, 2010, was a busy one for Tim Webb, Tennessee's commissioner of education. Webb and his aides were in meetings and briefings in...
Is Social Media a Friend or Foe of Government?
Jeffrey Horne wasn't new to social media. He liked using Facebook and Twitter to keep up with friends and had dabbled some in blogging. Early...
Georgia Clears a Path for Legal Adoption of Embryos
A new law in Georgia makes it the first state to clear a legal path for adopting human embryos in much the same way as...
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Rules for Engagement
As more and more state and local agencies use social media as a tool to share news and updates, many Web managers suggest having a...
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Faith in Disaster Prep
If a disaster strikes your community, who or what would you consult in order to save your family? If you live in San Mateo County,...
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Trial by YouTube?
The federal trial in which California's Proposition 8 will be challenged is controversial for two reasons: the legal issue and the broadcasting issue at stake. A...
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Mix Sugar Beet Molasses and Salt Brine, Sprinkle Over Roads.
Many roadway authorities are looking for ways to cut down on the costs to prepare and clear lanes during winter storms. Last week's Idea Center...
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Gifts that Give Back to the State
Washington State is looking to narrow its budget gap and one way the state is trying to do so can be seen at malls this...
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Tracking Ballots via E-mails and Texts
This year, the city and county of Denver sent out 344,000 ballots for a mail-only election on school board representatives and an auto impound ordinance. To...
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Checking Newborns for Health Care
A recent New Jersey mandate requires all children to have health insurance. Hospitals statewide are encouraged to enroll uninsured newborns in the state's free or...
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Cutting Consumption at the Citywide Yard Sale
Photo courtesy of C-Ali, under a Creative Commons license. This past June, Palo Alto, California, hosted its first citywide yard sale, designating a day when...
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Mayors on Playgrounds
St. Petersburg, Florida Mayor Rick Baker was one of the mayors that nonprofit KaBOOM! recognized for creating and updating city playgrounds. Photo courtesy of KaBOOM!...
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One Town's Goal: Add More Years to Lives
There are a few places that are recognized as "blue zones" for having a large number of centenarians -- among them Okinawa, Sardinia, and Loma...
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Tweet Advisory
Need real-time road updates? Unsure if you should boil water -- just to be safe? Check the news, but you may want to check Twitter...
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Green Certification for Tourism
The next time you visit Montauk, New York City or the Finger Lakes, it may be easier to dine or sleep greener. Within the last...
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Economic Competitiveness Teams in Louisiana
In 2008, Louisiana was ranked #22 in Site Selection magazine's Top State Business Climate Rankings, a huge jump from being unranked in 2007. To help strengthen municipalities' ability...
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Green Economies State-by-State
Many economists say that there could be a jobless recovery in the next few years, but development of green economies in the states could create...
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Mediating Ike
One year ago, Hurricane Ike hit the Texas coast, damaging homes and pushing homeowners to file claims with insurance companies. But filing claims also comes...
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A Teacher's Idea Puts Administrators in the Classroom
Broward County Public Schools started school this week, and some surprising figures are expected to take their turn at the chalkboard. This year, administrators that...
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More Envelopes for Unused Meds
GOVERNING recognized Maine's Safe Medicine Disposal for ME Program as a way for the state to prevent unused medications from entering the water supply or...
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Hide that GPS, Please
The next time you see a police officer in Charlotte, North Carolina, walking through a parking lot, don't automatically assume he or she is ready...
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Checks for Crab Licenses
Photo illustration by fishfoot, available under a Creative Commons license. This year has been the first year since 1994 that Maryland's blue crab population has been...
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Designing Healthier Neighborhoods for Kids
Photo by richardmasoner, available under a Creative Commons license. Nearly a third of all children are overweight, often caused by factors such as poor nutrition...
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Ballot Measures in Citizen-Speak
This video from the 2008 press conference after Oregon's first Citizens' Initiative Review highlights representatives from the panel explaining why they support or oppose Ballot Measure 58....
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An Oasis in the Food Desert
Food deserts, areas with many fast-food outlets and few shops to buy healthier foods like fruits and vegetables, often contribute to higher obesity and diabetes...
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Click for Property Tax Info
Up until 1996, the federal government provided local property tax information from across the country, but publishing that information stopped due to budget cuts. Today, the...
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Talk Show Helps Deadbeat Dads
This interview from FOX 2 News in Detroit features Wayne County Circuit Judge Wade McCree explaining how he decided to impose a new punishment for delinquent...
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Parks and Rec Online
Nothing can ruin a trip to the local park like broken equipment, graffiti or loose dogs. An online program in use in San Francisco and...
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Phoning Fares In
Fifty-one percent of Americans have said that they could not give up their cell phones -- and why would they? Mobile phones have gone beyond...
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Zigzag for Pedestrians
Courtesy of Virginia Department of Transportation In the U.S., motorists are used to obeying straight painted lines along roads to guide them in driving...
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Bringing Down the Noise
Photo by Solo, with others, available under a Creative Commons By Attribution license. There are many benefits to living in a college town: employment opportunities,...
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A Home in the Twin Cities
To reduce vacancy rates and promote city living, the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, partnering with home-ownership and community advocates, created an online home...
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Revitalizing Neighborhoods by the 'Book'
Neighborhood revitalization and preservation is one of Virginia Beach's priorities. Through its PREmier Homes and Neighborhoods program, the city hopes to cultivate community ownership of...
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Chicago at Your Fingertips
O'Hare's Terminal 2 is now home to two technology lounges where visitors can explore the city's skyline, Millennium Park and other popular views with the touch...
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Home Sweet Job
Southwest Virginia wants its natives to consider staying home--and coming home--for job opportunities. Return to Roots, a three-year-old Web site funded by a grant from...
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Blight Riders
Across the country, counties and towns are receiving funds from the Neighborhood Stablization Program that is part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act Congress...
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Sharing States
Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle of Wisconsin (left) and Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota (right) think their neighboring states can work together to improve efficiency...
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Government on Two Wheels
Paris and Washington, D.C. are two cities, among others, known for their bike-sharing programs. Austin, Texas, has implemented a similar program--but this one is...
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Bucks in the Backyard
With Florida losing jobs and tax revenue, an alliance including the Florida League of Mayors, the Florida Press Association, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and...
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Windows on Transparency
In addition to complying with President Obama's mandate that governments receiving economic stimulus funds must document how the money is spent, some states are creating...