Here’s a harsh reality that will be hard for some who lead and manage in municipal government to stomach. Those staffers you lost as COVID-19 battered your local government’s tax revenues? They aren’t all coming back any time soon.
As state and local governments celebrate the latest federal stimulus package, I’m struck by what I heard recently from Uri Monson, CFO of the Philadelphia School District: “The hardest thing to do in government,” Uri told me, “is to deal with one-time money and not waste it.”
If you’re looking for ways to improve social equity and racial justice in your community, you may find support in an ally you likely haven’t considered: your local nerd.
If you work in local government, you’re facing a responsibility you never signed up for: Today, you’re the last firewall against your residents’ cynicism toward government.
In the 1990s, political scientist Robert Putnam documented a worrisome trend: Fewer Americans were members of groups that formed the very fabric of American life, such as unions, PTAs and even bowling leagues. As the bonds connecting us eroded, he argued, the foundations of democracy were under threat.
DO’S & DON’TS of STIMULUS SPENDING
You’ll only get one opportunity to invest your community’s American Rescue Plan dollars.
GovLove interviews Mark about his career as an auditor, running for Kansas City Mayor, and more.
Mark explains to Tyler Tech’s Jeff Harrell how to best leverage this unique opportunity.
Mark joins the CivicTech podcast to talk about the impact COVID-19 has had on state and local government.
