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State and Local Pensions
By Alicia H. Munnell. 2012
In the wake of the financial crisis and Great Recession, the health of state and local pension plans has emerged…
as a front burner policy issue. Elected officials, academic experts, and the media alike have pointed to funding shortfalls with alarm, expressing concern that pension promises are unsustainable or will squeeze out other pressing government priorities. A few local governments have even filed for bankruptcy, with pensions cited as a major cause.Alicia H. Munnell draws on both her practical experience and her research to provide a broad perspective on the challenge of state and local pensions. She shows that the story is big and complicated and cannot be viewed through a narrow prism such as accounting methods or the role of unions.By examining the diversity of the public plan universe, Munnell debunks the notion that all plans are in trouble. In fact, she finds that while a few plans are basket cases, many are functioning reasonably well.Munnell's analysis concludes that the plans in serious trouble need a major overhaul. But even the relatively healthy plans face three challenges ahead: an excessive concentration of plan assets in equities; the risk that steep benefit cuts for new hires will harm workforce quality; and the constraints plans face in adjusting future benefits for current employees. Here, Munnell proposes solutions that preserve the main strengths of state and local pensions while promoting needed reforms.Policy and Choice
By William J. Congdon, Sendhil Mullainathan, Jeffrey R. Kling. 2011
Traditional public finance provides a powerful framework for policy analysis, but it relies on a model of human behavior that…
the new science of behavioral economics increasingly calls into question. In Policy and Choice economists William Congdon, Jeffrey Kling, and Sendhil Mullainathan argue that public finance not only can incorporate many lessons of behavioral economics but also can serve as a solid foundation from which to apply insights from psychology to questions of economic policy.The authors revisit the core questions of public finance, armed with a richer perspective on human behavior. They do not merely apply findings from psychology to specific economic problems; instead, they explore how psychological factors actually reshape core concepts in public finance such as moral hazard, deadweight loss, and incentives.Part one sets the stage for integrating behavioral economics into public finance by interpreting the evidence from psychology and developing a framework for applying it to questions in public finance. In part two, the authors apply that framework to specific topics in public finance, including social insurance, externalities and public goods, income support and redistribution, and taxation.In doing so, the authors build a unified analytical approach that encompasses both traditional policy levers, such as taxes and subsidies, and more psychologically informed instruments. The net result of this innovative approach is a fully behavioral public finance, an integration of psychology and the economics of the public sector that is explicit, systematic, rigorous, and realistic.Working Longer
By Steven A. Sass, Alicia H. Munnell. 2008
Daily headlines warn American workers that their retirement years may be far from golden. The average worker needs more retirement…
income than ever, due to increased life expectancy and soaring health care costs. But the main components of the retirement income system--Social Security and employer-provided pensions--are on the decline. What's more, fewer employers are providing retiree health insurance, forcing households to purchase their own coverage or do without. This bleak picture has inspired calls to fix Social Security, shore up employer pensions, and redesign 401(k) plans. But as Alicia Munnell and Steven Sass show in this thought-provoking book, the most effective response to the retirement income challenge lies elsewhere--in remaining in the workforce longer. At first blush, it may seem almost Orwellian to suggest that saving retirement requires reducing its length. But working longer does not mean working forever. By staying on the job for another two to four years, retirees in 2030 can be as well off as those in the current generation. Wo rking Longer investigates the prospects for moving the average retirement age from 63, the current figure, to 66. The authors ask whether future generations of workers will be healthy enough to work beyond the current retirement age, as well as whether older men and women are willing to do so. They examine companies' incentives to employ older workers and ask what government can do to promote continued participation in the workforce. Finally, they consider the challenge of ensuring a secure retirement for low-wage workers and those who are unable to continue to work. Spending a few additional years in the labor force can make a big difference. By continuing to work until their mid-60s or beyond, most individuals should be able to secure a reasonably comfortable retirement. Implementing such a change on a large scale will not be simple, however. It requires thought and planning on the part of individuals, employers, and the government. In Working Longer, Munnell and Sass explain what each of these groups can and should do to keep the American dream of retirement alive.The Economics of Evaluating Water Projects: Hydroelectricity Versus Other Uses
By Per-Olov Johansson, Bengt Kriström. 2012
This book presents research on a kind of water use conflicts that is becoming more and more common and important:…
How to best manage moving water in times of increasing demand for electricity as well as environmental services. How should decisions be made between water use for electricity generation or for environmental and recreational benefits? The authors develop a simple general equilibrium model of a small open economy which is used to derive a cost-benefit rule that can be used to assess projects that divert water from electricity generation to recreational and other uses (or vice versa). The cost-benefit rule is then applied to the specific case of a proposed change at a Swedish hydropower plant. The book provides a manual for the evaluation of river regulations which can easily be replicated in other studies.Public Forces and Private Politics in American Big Business
By Timothy Werner. 2012
What are the political motivations behind firms' decisions to adopt policies that self-regulate their behavior in a manner that is…
beyond compliance with state, federal and local law? Public Forces and Private Politics in American Big Business advances a new understanding of the firm as a political actor that expands beyond the limited conceptualizations offered by economists and organization theorists. Timothy Werner develops a general theory of private politics that is tested using three case studies: the environment, gay rights and executive compensation. Using the conclusions of these case studies and an analysis of interviews with executives at 'Fortune 500' firms, Werner finds that politics can contribute significantly to our understanding of corporate decision-making on private policies and corporate social responsibility in the United States.Managing Public Services - Implementing Changes: A Thoughtful Approach to the Practice of Management
By Terry Horne, Tony L. Doherty. 2001
Focusing on change as a constant factor in the management of any organization, this informative book helps the student and…
practitioner to develop the skills and knowledge they require to underpin the work of a modern service manager in rapidly-changing public sector organizations - whether publicly owned, privately managed or sub-contracted. Taking a distinctive approach, emphasizing management and organizational learning as keys to organizational success, this introductory text is solidly practical and is supported by strong pedagogical features including: case studies review questions illustrative vignettes. This comprehensive text has been specifically designed and developed to meet the needs of students studying public services management at undergraduate, certificate diploma and postgraduate level. It allows the reader to develop transferable skills in thinking and learning as they work through the book and gives greater awareness of the benefits of continuous learning for staff and managers.The Whistler Book
By Jack Christie. 2009
This concise, thorough, and easy-to-use guide gives readers all the information they need to enjoy the Whistler area's incredible range…
of year-round recreational opportunities. It features detailed descriptions of camping, hiking, paddling, and other summer activities, along with winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. Detailed trail maps are provided for each location. Destination highlights, informative sidebars, and author Jack Christie's insider tips on his favorite spots are provided throughout.Governance Networks in the Public Sector
By Erik Hans Klijn, Joop Koppenjan. 2016
Governance Networks in the Public Sector presents a comprehensive study of governance networks and the management of complexities in network…
settings. Public, private and non-profit organizations are increasingly faced with complex, wicked problems when making decisions, developing policies or delivering services in the public sector. These activities take place in networks of interdependent actors guided by diverging and sometimes conflicting perceptions and strategies. As a result these networks are dominated by cognitive, strategic and institutional complexities. Dealing with these complexities requires sophisticated forms of coordination: network governance. This book presents the most recent theoretical and empirical insights into governance networks.? It provides a conceptual framework and analytical tools to study the complexities involved in handling wicked problems in governance networks in the public sector. The book also discusses strategies and management recommendations for governments, business and third sector organisations operating in and governing networks. Governance Networks in the Public Sector is an essential text for advanced students of public management, public administration, public policy and political science, and for public managers and policymakers.Managing Performance in the Public Sector
By Hans De Bruijn. 2002
Topical and taking a bold stance in the contentious debate surrounding performance in the public sector, this new edition shows…
readers how performance thinking has a substantial impact on the management of public organizations. Thoroughly revised and updated, this highly successful text, written by an experienced academic and practitioner is packed full with a wealth of new features. These include: more examples and cases, from a variety of different sectors, including, hospitals, courts, school and universities a whole new chapter on the dynamics of performance management; answering the questions – how do PM systems evolve? Which effects will dominate in the long run? many extra recommendations for making PM attractive for managers. An informed and up-to-date analysis of this subject, this is an essential text for all those studying, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, performance management in the public sector.Long Beach Wild
By Adrienne Mason. 2012
Each year, more than a million people visit the spectacular sweep of sand that stretches along Vancouver Island's west coast…
between Tofino and Ucluelet to watch waves crash ashore on a series of beaches-essentially one long beach separated by small rocky headlands, a shoreline steps away from howling wolves and towering red cedars.In Long Beach Wild: A Celebration of People and Place on Canada's Rugged Western Shore, local resident Adrienne Mason uses her intimate knowledge of the area and a selection of historic and contemporary photos to explore the region's rich natural and cultural history.Mason shows how Long Beach was shaped by many forces, including volcanoes, glaciers, and torrents of water. She describes how the deposits of gravel and silt that this tumult left behind allowed offshore kelp beds and sea otters to thrive and supported the growth of countless other organisms, from lichens and ferns to waterfowl and deer.She also describes how First Nations people found inspiration and sustenance in the area for thousands of years, hunting whales on the open ocean using harpoons with mussel-shell blades and great lengths of cedar bark rope.As well as describing the traditions of the area's First Nations, MasonManaging Performance in the Public Sector
By Hans De Bruijn. 2007
Topical and taking a bold stance in the contentious debate surrounding performance in the public sector, this new edition shows…
readers how performance thinking has a substantial impact on the management of public organizations. Thoroughly revised and updated, this highly successful text, written by an experienced academic and practitioner is packed full with a wealth of new features. These include: more examples and cases, from a variety of different sectors, including, hospitals, courts, school and universities a whole new chapter on the dynamics of performance management; answering the questions – how do PM systems evolve? Which effects will dominate in the long run? many extra recommendations for making PM attractive for managers. An informed and up-to-date analysis of this subject, this is an essential text for all those studying, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, performance management in the public sector.The Guardian
By Patrice Dutil. 2011
Finance departments have often been portrayed as guardians of the public purse. In The Guardian, a multidisciplinary group of contributors…
examines the Ministry of Finance of Ontario since the Second World War. During the last sixty years the Ministry was transformed from a relatively small 'Treasury' to a sophisticated policy machine. What started as a modest bookkeeping operation evolved into a key bureaucratic and policy agency as the government of Ontario assumed a leadership position in developing the province.These essays reveal Ontario's 'finance' as a dynamic policy issue shaped by the personalities of premiers and ministers, the energies of public servants at all levels, and a critical dialogue between political and administrative worlds. Drawing on different methodologies, this collection profiles a ministry as policy entrepreneur, spender, revenue generator, capacity builder, budget director, program manager, and intergovernmental agent. The Guardian fills a significant gap in public administration literature and in so doing describes how Ontario's Ministry of Finance defined its role as 'guardian.'Enterprise Risk Management
By Allen Runnels, Karen Hardy. 2015
Practical guide to implementing Enterprise Risk Management processes and procedures in government organizationsEnterprise Risk Management: A Guide for Government Professionals…
is a practical guide to all aspects of risk management in government organizations at the federal, state, and local levels. Written by Dr. Karen Hardy, one of the leading ERM practitioners in the Federal government, the book features a no-nonsense approach to establishing and sustaining a formalized risk management approach, aligned with the ISO 31000 risk management framework. International Organization for Standardization guidelines are explored and clarified, and case studies illustrate their real-world application and implementation in US government agencies. Tools, including a sample 90-day action plan, sample risk management policy, and a comprehensive implementation checklist allow readers to immediately begin applying the information presented.The book also includes results of Hardy's ERM Core Competency Survey for the Public Sector; which offers an original in-depth analysis of the Core Competency Skills recommended by federal, state and local government risk professionals. It also provides a side-by-side comparison of how federal government risk professionals view ERM versus their state and local government counterparts.Enterprise Risk Management provides actionable guidance toward creating a solid risk management plan for agencies at any risk level. The book begins with a basic overview of risk management, and then delves into government-specific topics including:U.S. Federal Government Policy on Risk ManagementFederal Manager's Financial Integrity ActGAO Standards for internal controlGovernment Performance Results Modernization ActThe book also provides a comparative analysis of ERM frameworks and standards, and applies rank-specific advice to employees including Budget Analysts, Program Analysts, Management Analysts, and more. The demand for effective risk management specialists is growing as quickly as the risk potential. Government employees looking to implement a formalized risk management approach or in need of increasing their general understanding of this subject matter will find Enterprise Risk Management a strategically advantageous starting point.End of The Good Life
By Riva Froymovich. 2013
Assessing Reserve Adequacy in Low-Income Countries
By Era Dabla-Norris, Kazuko Shirono, George Tsibouris, Valerio Crispolti, Kim Jun Il. 2013
Uneasy Partners
By Leo F. Goodstadt. 2009
In 'Uneasy Partners,' Leo Goodstadt draws on his vast experience of government and business in Hong Kong to put forward…
a provocative and challenging account, part praise, part indictment, of how government and business in Hong Kong transformed a poor refugee community into one of the world's great cities and created a hugely successful economy.The Complete Guide to Government Contract Types
By Kenneth R. Segel. 2016
Everything You Need to Know About Government Contract TypesAs the world's single largest buyer of goods and services, the federal…
government has many ways to structure its procurements. Different situations and conditions often determine the best vehicle for a particular purchase. Contracting officers must assess a wide range of factors to determine which contract type will provide the government the best value and the least risk.The Complete Guide to Government Contract Types provides a comprehensive overview of the key government contract vehicles and types: fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, incentive, and other (which includes letter, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, and time-and-material contracts). The author first explains the selection process for contract vehicles, which is the basis for selecting the appropriate contract type for the work in question. He then presents a comprehensive, in-depth analysis of each contract type, explaining how each works best to meet certain types of requirements and conditions.This is an essential resource for both contracting officers and contractors seeking to understand and work effectively within the nuances of contract selection and compliance.98 Opportunities to Improve Management in Government
By Stewart Liff. 2014
98 Opportunities to Be a 100 Percent Better Government ManagerGovernment managers face myriad challenges every day. Whether dealing with an…
ever-shrinking pool of resources or the threat of sequestration and shutdowns, the government manager must work to maximize staff performance to meet mission objectives. Now, supervisors, managers, and leaders have some help. In this new book, veteran government leader, trainer, and author Stewart Liff offers practical and proven guidance aimed at helping people at every level of the organization. First-line managers as well as top agency leaders will find Liff's actionable suggestions invaluable in dealing with a broad spectrum of issues, including:+ People management+ Performance management+ Resource management+ Systems design+ Organizational politicsEach of the 98 opportunities—and the included strategies, tools, techniques, and tips to help you take advantage of them—is valuable in and of itself. Together they provide a complete guide to managing effectively in the federal workplace.Do your part to change government—one opportunity at a time!Key Case Law Rules for Government Contract Formation
By Patrick Butler Lt. Col. 2014
Go Beyond the FAR!The guidance contained in the almost 2000 pages of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and the various agency…
supplements are just a part of the resources government acquisition professionals need to do their jobs effectively. Accessing and understanding case law is equally important to a thorough understanding of government contracting. Legal decisions explain the Government Accountability Office's and the courts' views on how procurement statutes and regulations apply in a wide range of situations. Case law also gives potential bid protesters and agencies a way to gauge the likely outcome of a protest.Until now, it has been difficult to find and understand the legal decisions that could be relevant to a particular situation. Key Case Law Rules for Government Contract Formation changes that by organizing and explaining the most important protest grounds in a readily accessible and comprehensible way. With an emphasis on more recent cases, the book is organized around the key protest grounds, such as pricing issues, allegations that the government wrongfully prevented competition, or improper sealed-bidding procedures.Bridging the gap of understanding between the legal and the contracting communities, this book is a much-needed addition to the essential resources for acquisition professionals.The Government Manager's Guide to Contract Law
By Terrence M. O'Connor LLM. 2014
This practical volume offers clear and helpful guidance on the laws governing federal contracts. From information on the types of…
contracts used in government to ways to interpret those contracts, the book covers the basics that every government manager needs to know. Information on complying with ethics requirements in general, and in the solicitation process and contract administration in particular, is especially pertinent. The author also explains the government manager's liability both to the government and to the public.This book covers all the aspects of contract law that every government manager should know to be both effective and in compliance.