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 Making Mergers Work in GovernmentOne of the first official acts Bob McDonnell took last month as the newly inaugurated governor of Virginia was to create a Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring. This fall, more of his colleagues may take similar steps, given that 37 states will be holding elections for governor and about 20 of those seats are open because the incumbent will not be running for reelection.  Join the discussion  Arne, Katrina and SchumpeterIn politics, nothing is more dangerous than the truth. Hence, the kerfluffle over Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s recent statement about New Orleans. “Let me be really honest. I think the best thing that happened to the education system in New Orleans was Hurricane Katrina,” Duncan told Roland Martin. Some bloggers such as Michelle Malkin and Ed Morrisey are treating this as if Duncan were pro-natural disaster, ready to launch a “Tornados and Tsunamis” program for the nation’s schools. That’s unfair.  Innovations and Social Edge: Join the ConversationYou may have heard President Obama speak about the need for a new approach to community problem solving, or heard that he’s created a White House Office of Social Innovation, a Social Innovation Fund, in addition to a Race to the Top Fund for education. A number of governors and mayors are following suit. But what does ‘social innovation’ mean? And how does it relate to you as someone committed to innovation in governance?  The New Political RealityFor decades, public officials viewed voters either as passive recipients of government largesse or as active advocates for special treatment. Getting reelected generally meant launching – or enhancing – federal programs, with the clear intent of garnering votes. This political calculation was based on the presumption that Americans were more concerned about their own benefits than about the collective future of the country. Editors Picks
Innovations and Social Edge: Join the ConversationYou may have heard President Obama speak about the need for a new approach to community problem solving, or heard that he’s created a White House Office of Social Innovation, a Social Innovation Fund, in addition to a Race to the Top Fund for education. A number of governors and mayors are following suit. But what does ‘social innovation’ mean? And how does it relate to you as someone committed to innovation in governance? Arne, Katrina and SchumpeterIn politics, nothing is more dangerous than the truth. Hence, the kerfluffle over Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s recent statement about New Orleans. “Let me be really honest. I think the best thing that happened to the education system in New Orleans was Hurricane Katrina,” Duncan told Roland Martin. Some bloggers such as Michelle Malkin and Ed Morrisey are treating this as if Duncan were pro-natural disaster, ready to launch a “Tornados and Tsunamis” program for the nation’s schools. That’s unfair. Making Mergers Work in GovernmentOne of the first official acts Bob McDonnell took last month as the newly inaugurated governor of Virginia was to create a Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring. This fall, more of his colleagues may take similar steps, given that 37 states will be holding elections for governor and about 20 of those seats are open because the incumbent will not be running for reelection. The New Political RealityFor decades, public officials viewed voters either as passive recipients of government largesse or as active advocates for special treatment. Getting reelected generally meant launching – or enhancing – federal programs, with the clear intent of garnering votes. This political calculation was based on the presumption that Americans were more concerned about their own benefits than about the collective future of the country. 5 Great Cost Saving IdeasWhy everybody hasn't embraced these five 'innovations' befuddles this columnist.In the good old days, economic slumps were followed by recoveries. To survive lean times, governments tightened their belts, maybe raised some taxes and waited until the economy bounced back. Not this time. Crisis is the new normal. |  Welcome to your best source for innovative ideas for government that deliver public value and lower the cost of government services. We’re proud to offer insights from some of the most influential public-sector thought leaders writing today. Please add your thoughts to our blog and share your experience with others. Thanks for joining us. 
Talk to us! If you know of a better, faster, cheaper idea that government is using, let us know. If you have a topic that you’d like to have us cover, write to me – John O’Leary, Executive Editor, at bfc@hks.harvard.edu.   California crowdsources ideas for replacing legacy systems - Government Technology
The state is looking to the public for ways to update its agency technology infrastructure while saving money over traditional procurement methods. Minnesota's statewide reform initiative saves $250 million - Minnesota GovernmentSignificant cost-savings have been achieved while improving customer service and processes. Montana dips into crowdsourcing pool to save money - CivSourceMontana Governor Schweitzer has launched the Montana Accountability Partnership contest to tap state employees and the public for ways to save money. Good ideas have already started to roll in. North Miami Beach program has saved $600,000 in its first year - International City/County Management Association (ICMA)The city's ambitious sustainable communities initiative — the Comprehensive Assessment of Revenues and Expenditures program — has seen a savings of more than $600,000, potential additional revenues of nearly $1 million, and grant awards exceeding $11.5 million in its first year. A smart investment to end homelessness in Washington state - Seattle Times$12 million in state money has leveraged $14.2 million from 23 funding partners, including counties, cities, nonprofits, and corporate sponsors through a unique public-private partnership. Miami-Dade launches online foreclosure auctions - Miami HeraldFlorida is the first state to deploy an online auction system for foreclosed properties; so far, nine counties have gone online, with more to follow. The goal is to cut through mountains of red tape and jumpstart the housing market. Daytime janitorial services can save big bucks and the environment - Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul)Hennepin County expects to save at least $100,000 annually by turning off the lights and heat overnight in county buildings by moving to daytime janitorial services. Kentucky governor launches new technology training program - NBC News (WFIE-TV)Microsoft has partnered with state agencies to offer free computer training to job-seekers. State IT investments could eliminate $67 billion in waste, fraud and abuse - Tekrati Research NewsA new INPUT report, "State & Local Investment in Anti-Waste, Fraud, and Abuse (WFA) Solutions, 2009-2014," projects that state and local governments will spend $4.7 billion on IT over the next five years. Pinellas County holds its first homeless court - St. Petersburg Times (Florida)The county and volunteer lawyers are working with homeless people accused of petty crimes to clear their cases and help them re-enter society, while freeing up court resources. 
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