Download Book Excerpt | Download Questions & Answers | Government Trends Road Map | Order book now

Following the 2006 Election, it became clear that the U.S. people wanted problem-solving over partisanship. Pragmatism over ideology. And, in an era indelibly marked by 9/11, Katrina and the Iraq War, competence from government institutions rather than a reactive approach burdened by bureaucracy.

For new and returning governors, their political futures — and ultimately their legacies — will depend largely on how well they tackle some of the vast and complex challenges now facing states. State governments face increasingly complex challenges resulting from changing demographics and rising citizen expectations: 

• A substandard educational system failing to prepare our children for a global, knowledge economy
• Deteriorating infrastructure
• Medicaid costs that threaten to crowd out spending on schools, roads and other state programs
• Huge unfunded pension and retiree health care obligations
• Tax systems designed around manufacturing, physical goods and localized markets, rather than services, information and a seamless global economy

All of this points to the need for big, bold policy ideas. Ideas like Massachusetts’ landmark initiative to confront the problem of the uninsured by providing universal health care coverage. Or Louisiana’s bold school reform plan for New Orleans that creates more than 30 charter schools, making charters the de facto norm, not the exception, as the organizational model for the city’s schools. Or Texas’ ambitious effort to use public-private partnerships to meet its growing infrastructure needs, including developing a 600-mile highway from Oklahoma to Mexico.

Our country is demanding this kind of bold thinking. But, big ideas alone carry you only so far.

States are far more agile than the federal government in their ability to devise new solutions and to overcome partisan hurdles. However, as governors work to improve the way state governments do business, they need to think hard about execution.

To assist state leaders in better understanding these issues and their implications, Deloitte Research has spent the past year examining the most significant governance challenges facing governors today.

The result, States of Transition: Tackling Government’s Toughest Policy and Management Challenges, shows how state leaders can strategically address vexing long-term and structural issues while also positioning their states to address the daunting new challenges of the 21st century, including global competition and serving the aging citizenry.

Unlike many policy books, States of Transition acts as a playbook for new and returning governors, not only highlighting the toughest challenges and rising trends in state government but also providing insightful methods for implementing ideas and creating meaningful change.

The book is edited by Robert Campbell and William Eggers, with a  forward by former Governor Tom Ridge.

Critical Acclaim

“There is a ‘window of opportunity’ for us all to make a difference in the lives of people. As governor I’ve focused on issues that impact families and children, such as education and access to health care. This book confirms why it’s important that we take on these and other challenges sooner, rather than later.”

- Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois

 

“States of Transition is an invaluable resource at a time when state leaders have a unique opportunity to transform government — and face unprecedented pressure to do so.”

- Tommy Thompson, former governor of Wisconsin

 

“Authors Campbell and Eggers have provided an insightful road map that will benefit those new governors entering office in 2007 as well as returning incumbents who want to make a lasting difference.”

- Bill Owens, governor of Colorado

 

“This book, which demonstrates a profound understanding of the policy, funding and political obstacles of reforming state government, is a must read for both newly elected and veteran governors and their staff.”

- Raymond C. Scheppach, Ph.D., executive director, National Governors Association

Related Content
Article: Questions and Answers About States of Transition
Article: A Window of Opportunity for State Leaders (link to Governing.com article)
Order Form: Government Trends Roadmap
Profile: Meet Bob Campbell
Profile: Meet Bill Eggers