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P3 as a Tool for Urban Revitalization

P3 as a Tool for Urban Revitalization

In 2012, Vallejo, California lost the use of tax increment financing to rebuild the declining downtown and underused waterfront. Undaunted, civic groups and citizens stepped up their involvement and passed…

Ethical Blindness in Public Life

Ethical Blindness in Public Life

There are volumes of ethics laws for public servants. But ethics laws cannot guarantee ethical behavior. With a subtle message, "If it's not illegal, it must be OK," individuals often…

Public Administration Capability not Declining

Public Administration Capability not Declining

The March/April 2016 Public Administration Review editorial stated, “Government has lost its capacity to execute public policies and implement programs.” To support this claim, the editorial cited a paper that…

Minimizing the Public Sector: The Most Counterproductive Idea Ever

Minimizing the Public Sector: The Most Counterproductive Idea Ever

Wherever one travels, one can immediately assess the viability of public sector services—from transportation and public safety, to clean water and public health. In the modern world, a broad sufficiency…

How Government Agencies Can Implement Agile Project Management Methods

As agencies realize the limitations of traditional project management, some offices are using agile project management methods to deliver projects successfully. However, adopting agile project management requires cultural change. I…

Improving Employee Engagement – Who’s Really Responsible?

Many private sector companies incorporate improvement in employee engagement survey scores as part of managers’ performance expectations. Some even consider engagement results in compensation decisions. However, improving engagement isn't just…

When Will PA Become the “New Black?”

When Will PA Become the “New Black?”

While "Orange Is the New Black" presents issues within a fictional context, the show demonstrates the pervasiveness of injustice against the transgender community. Transwomen of color, the most invisible of…

The Big Con: How Serving Leadership Underprepared a Generation of College Students

The Big Con: How Serving Leadership Underprepared a Generation of College Students

Educating millennials has been part of a national debate as evidenced by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015. These efforts, however,…

Sidewalk Labs, Transportation for America Help Cities Address Transportation Problems

Sidewalk Labs, Transportation for America Help Cities Address Transportation Problems

The winner of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Smart City Challenge will receive up to $40 million to integrate innovative technologies into their transportation planning. Over 70 cities submitted applications.…

Keeping Your Eye On the Prize

Keeping Your Eye On the Prize

In these dark days of tragedy, public administrators are challenged to remain positive and focus on the job they are paid to do. When I worked with state and local…

Leadership Skills for the Complex Adaptive Organization

Leadership Skills for the Complex Adaptive Organization

A previous PA Times Online column proposed that public administration is facing headwinds that require a radical transformation from the traditional hierarchical system. This transformation requires decentralized, “tree” organizations, characterized…