This article was written by Catherine Wright, Public Information Officer for the Town of Hillsborough, North Carolina as part of the Small Places, Big Ideas Innovation Cohort. Is COVID-19 the killer of innovation? Not necessarily, but it certainly paused much of our efforts in exploring two engagement platforms as part of the inaugural Small Places, … Continued
This article is written by Lindsay M. Miller is a National Civic League Senior Fellow and ELGL COVID-19 Equity Ambassador. Lindsay wrote this article as part of the Equity Ambassadors Cohort. You can find all the articles for this cohort here. This article originally appeared on the National Civic Review. During the first few months of … Continued
There was a time when state and local governments could work out deals with Washington. But as the pandemic struggle illustrates, the glory days of big intergovernmental initiatives have ebbed away. Amid the unseemly brawl about continuing unemployment benefits for those whose lives have been upended by COVID-19, an unsettling truth has emerged: State and … Continued
ELGL and the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) created the PAFR Fellowship Program to connect graduate students with local governments looking to create a Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for submission to the GFOA award program. The fellows have all been finalized and ELGL and GFOA are excited to announce everyone over the next few … Continued
This article is by ELGL member Michael Halford, Assistant County Manager for Gaston County, NC. Gaston County Government is working with Duke University’s Center for Advanced Hindsight (CAH) and NC State University’s College of Design to form a pilot partnership of local governments interested in applying behavioral science, good design, and evidence to strengthen their COVID-19 responses. The partnership’s … Continued
This article is written by Eric Walcott, Government and Public Policy Specialist, Michigan State University Extension. Eric wrote this article as part of the Equity Ambassadors Cohort. You can find all the articles for this cohort here. I once heard someone say about local government, “Don’t tell me your priorities, show me your budget and I’ll … Continued
We know that many of our members are facing the effects of COVID-19 on their jobs – whether it’s a reduction in hours or furlough, or layoffs, the workplace has changed dramatically in 2020. This year has also taught us that real and meaningful work can be done remotely, which opens up new opportunities and … Continued
Governments are often obsessed with quantifying and measuring. The rationale makes sense; after all, how better to determine performance and effectiveness? In an industry that is known for both tangible and intangible results, an understanding is crucial. This is further demanded by a desire for accountability and transparency by citizens, the need to evaluate programs … Continued
ELGL works with a nonpartisan nonprofit called Politisit. Politisit assists with childcare costs for parents and caregivers exercising their civic duties, like voting, attending city council meetings, and other ways of engaging with government. We are seeking your input on the November 2020 election and participation by parents. Specifically, we are looking at whether certain states may … Continued
This article is written by Chelsea Gaylord, Senior Economic Development Specialist, City of Colorado Springs. Chelsea wrote this article as part of the Equity Ambassadors Cohort. You can find all the articles for this cohort here. For 2.5 hours, Colorado Springs’ nine city council members grilled representatives of a proposed 427-unit housing development in Southeast Colorado … Continued
