Governance Challenges and the Financial Crisis: Seven Key Questions

In the midst of a global economic crisis, the federal government responded on an unprecedented scale and scope, with injections of trillions of dollars into financial markets, infusions of cash to troubled industries, state and local governments, and people in need. Government is employing tools in ways never before considered and inventing new tools, in the hope of stabilizing the economy and spurring economic recovery.Under the leadership of National Academy Fellow Don Kettl and National Academy President Jennifer Dorn, the National Academy of Public Administration convened a roundtable of government leaders, business leaders, researchers and other experts to discuss governance issues related to the government's response to the financial crisis. Seven strategic questions related to governance emerged from the discussion, held earlier this year, which was moderated by Don Kettl. The National Academy and the IBM Center for the Business of Government are pleased to offer this summary of the roundtable in an effort to stimulate a national discussion of these questions.Key Findings Government investments have the potential to transform the role the federal government plays in the private economy. While largely intended to be temporary, many fear that these investments will create long-term, almost "permanent" expectations -- particularly with regard to education, unemployment insurance, infrastructure and tax breaks.One challenge confronting the government is to devise exit strategies that balance policy objectives, such as minimizing economic disruption and securing a return on taxpayer dollars, while not undermining the viability of companies or their market competitors, as well as governments and other groups. Another challenge is to determine the appropriate scope of ongoing federal regulatory authority in light of both practical demands and the appropriate role of the federal government in managing the economy

An Analysis of the Employment Effects of the Washington High Technology Business and Occupation (B&O) Tax Credit: Technical Report

This paper estimates the effects of an R&D tax credit in the state of Washington on job creation. The research uses micro-data on the job creation and tax credits received by individual firms in the state of Washington from 2004 to 2009. We correct for the endogeneity of R&D tax credits received by individual firms by using instrumental variables based in part on national industry factor shares for R&D. We estimate that this tax credit created jobs, but at a high cost. The cost per job-year created is estimated to be between $40,000 and$50,000. The credit was so high cost in part because the credit was non-refundable. As a result, about one-quarter of the firms receiving credits were maxed out on credit eligibility, so that the credit provided no marginal incentive for additional R&D spending or job creation

Performance measurement in defense acquisitions: a case study of the Navy

Second Annual Acquisition Research SymposiumThe federal government is becoming increasingly corporate and, consequently, business-like operations are now more prevalent than ever. Part of the mandate to act like a business is a need to develop strategic plans and goals, which require metrics to quantify what is to be attained. In this environment, an effective performance-management program is essential to success. The ASN (RD&&A) has updated its strategic plan in support of the DoD's efforts to transform the military based on these environmental changes. Its efforts to implement a revised performance-management program in support of its revised plan offer potential insights into performance measurement in defense acquisitions.;The following article is taken as an excerpt from the proceedings of the annual Acquisition Research Program. This annual event showcases the research projects funded through the Acquisition Research Program at the Graduate School of Business and Public Policy at the Naval Postgraduate School. Featuring keynote speakers, plenary panels, mulitiple panel sessions, a student research poster show and social events, the Annual Acquisition Research Symposium offers a candid environment where high-ranking Department of Defense (DoD) officials, industry officials, accomplished faculty and military students are encouraged to collaborate on finding applicable solutions to the challenges facing acquisition policies and processes within the DoD today. By jointly and publicly questioning the norms of industry and academia, the resulting research benefits from myriad perspectives and collaborations which can indentify better solutions and practices in acquisition, contract, financial, logistics and program management. For further information regarding the Acquisition Research Program, electronic copies of additional research, or to learn more about becoming a sponsor, please visit our program website at: www.acquisitionresearch.org. For further information on or to register for the next Acquisition Research Symposium during the third week of May, please visit our conference website at: www.researchsymposium.org.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Mass unemployment plant closings and community mental health

224 p.; 22 cm