James E. Powell, Robert W. Orttung, Sean Asikłuk Topkok, H. Akselrod, J. Little, Peggy Wilcox
{"title":"Juneau, Alaska’s Successful Response to COVID-19: A Case Study of Adaptive Leadership in a Complex System","authors":"James E. Powell, Robert W. Orttung, Sean Asikłuk Topkok, H. Akselrod, J. Little, Peggy Wilcox","doi":"10.1177/0160323X221136504","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X221136504","url":null,"abstract":"Juneau, Alaska, kept COVID-19 deaths lower than in other similar jurisdictions. We argue that adaptive leadership—the early decisions and actions of Juneau’s leaders, effective communications, and emergent new collaborative structures—in the context of municipal ownership of key assets enabled Juneau’s success. The result of 61 interviews and follow-up research, this case study contributes a better understanding of which institutional design, communication, and collaborative factors mattered in responding to the pandemic. Adaptive leadership provides a better explanation for Juneau’s success than alternatives that focus on its isolation, home-rule status, and socio-economic structure.","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"55 1","pages":"41 - 61"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45878952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations: Building Consensus Through Collaboration","authors":"Cliff Lippard","doi":"10.1177/0160323X221142308","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X221142308","url":null,"abstract":"The Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations serves as a model for bringing policymakers and stakeholders together, more clearly defining public policy problems, and reaching consensus on how to address those problems.","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"55 1","pages":"6 - 10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42298014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Roles for Public Service Professionals in the Climate Crisis","authors":"Angel Wright-Lanier","doi":"10.1177/0160323X221137322","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X221137322","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"54 1","pages":"283 - 286"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46150968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Learning from Cemetery Managers About Citizen–State Encounters and Emotional Labor","authors":"Staci M. Zavattaro, M. Guy","doi":"10.1177/0160323X221109456","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X221109456","url":null,"abstract":"Using stories from cemetery managers to make the case, this paper first argues that the emotive component in the citizen-state encounter is as essential, if not more essential, than its cognitive component. This is because emotion creates lasting impressions that are positive or negative. To advance theory building, a holistic framework of the citizen-state encounter is then presented. Data to inform the model were collected through interviews with 35 U.S. municipal cemetery managers, an essential administrative function in local governments. The resulting holistic framework incorporates both affective and cognitive dimensions and accentuates how public officials are the nerve endings of public policy, connecting with the public and bringing government to life. Hypotheses are suggested for testing the model.","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"54 1","pages":"328 - 345"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45648358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jaehee Jong, Christopher B. Goodman, A. Deslatte, Jerry Crabtree, K. Thurmaier
{"title":"The Forgotten Governments: Exploring Midwestern Township Capacities and Functional Service Responsibilities","authors":"Jaehee Jong, Christopher B. Goodman, A. Deslatte, Jerry Crabtree, K. Thurmaier","doi":"10.1177/0160323x221124894","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323x221124894","url":null,"abstract":"This field note provides both a foundation for discussion about the role of townships in local governance and empirical evidence of their unique and embedded role. Drawing on a survey administered to Illinois township supervisors, administrators, and assessors, it presents baseline indicators about the range of township services, managerial practices, assessment, and collaboration for services to better illuminate current services, capacities, and challenges. A greater understanding of the complexity of delivering township services can guide policymakers in their deliberations about the future of township governments and provide research propositions for investigating township governments in the United States.","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"55 1","pages":"170 - 184"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44906654","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rachel M. Krause, Christopher V. Hawkins, Angela Y. S. Park
{"title":"How has the COVID Crisis Impacted Local Governments’ Sustainability Efforts? An Examination of Initial Effects","authors":"Rachel M. Krause, Christopher V. Hawkins, Angela Y. S. Park","doi":"10.1177/0160323X221124896","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X221124896","url":null,"abstract":"Although many U.S. municipalities have adopted climate protection and sustainability as explicit objectives, they are not among their traditional responsibilities. As a result, compared to policies focused around core functions, those related to sustainability may be at greater risk of retrenchment or change in times of crisis. This research examines how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted local governments’ sustainability efforts. Using data from a nation-wide survey, we examine the degree to which the pandemic has affected programmatic priorities, resources, and operations related to sustainability. Findings indicate that the pandemic hurt the implementation of sustainability initiatives in almost half of U.S. cities. At the same time, many cities increased the priority of economic and social sustainability initiatives in response to the pandemic. Cities which have formally included sustainability principles into a city plan appear more sensitive to COVID-induced challenges to their program operations.","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"55 1","pages":"27 - 40"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41973117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Public-Employee Pensions and Retirements","authors":"John Brooks","doi":"10.1177/0160323x221127387","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323x221127387","url":null,"abstract":"Around the time of their adoption, reformers argued pensions would help encourage public employees to retire rather than remain in their jobs indefinitely. However, the significance of specific pension policies for retirements within numerous plans is not well-known. Using new data on service retirements from 81 state-employee defined-benefit plans between 2001 and 2019, I examine pensions’ relationship with retirements, while also accounting for other variables that might matter. The results indicate that early retirement incentives, relaxed post-retirement work restrictions, and higher employee pension contributions are all associated with more retirements, while increased employer contributions and cost-of-living adjustments are associated with fewer. As governments continue to consider fiscal reforms to retirement plans, they also should keep their personnel needs and pensions’ relationships with them in mind.","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"55 1","pages":"11 - 26"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41942883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Challenges Reported by Candidates for Local Office","authors":"P. Levine, David M. Abromowitz","doi":"10.1177/0160323X221130449","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X221130449","url":null,"abstract":"A survey of 711 candidates for local offices in the United States, conducted in December 2021, reveals that many were concerned before they began their campaigns about the impact of politics on their work and family, the time demands of campaigning, their ability to raise funds, and their knowledge of the process, among other obstacles. Many candidates who had anticipated each concern found it less onerous than they had expected. Those who were parents, those with full-time jobs, and those who had experienced poverty as children were especially likely to have difficulty meeting work and family obligations while campaigning. Being liberal, being young, having less education, and experiencing poverty in childhood were all associated with concerns about being qualified to run. The study offers additional details about which backgrounds and experiences are associated with specific challenges in local campaigns. The results may inform efforts to recruit and support underrepresented candidates.","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"55 1","pages":"139 - 152"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41697610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Beyond the City–County Divide: Examining Consolidation Referenda Since 2000","authors":"C. Acuff","doi":"10.1177/0160323X221115361","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X221115361","url":null,"abstract":"Despite the relative infrequency of successful city-county consolidation campaigns, local government officials and reformers continue revisiting the possibilities and perceived benefits associated with consolidation. While studies analyzing campaigns for and against consolidation efforts exist, little is known beyond factors at the city and/or county level. For this reason, it is important to dig deeper and explore the differences at smaller geographic levels. Utilizing demographic, geographic, and electoral data, this study examines the factors which contribute to support (or opposition) to consolidation at the voting precinct-level in reform efforts over the last two decades. Results indicate that factors related to higher levels of education, home values, and larger Hispanic populations tend to increase the vote share in favor of consolidation, while areas with larger median household incomes demonstrate lower levels of support. These findings help extend our understanding of boundary change and voting in local referenda in the United States.","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"54 1","pages":"287 - 309"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"64999583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lauren A. Dula, M. Holmes, W. Jacobson, Kristina T. Marty
{"title":"When Things Go Off the Rails: Leadership Derailment in Local Government","authors":"Lauren A. Dula, M. Holmes, W. Jacobson, Kristina T. Marty","doi":"10.1177/0160323X221115424","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X221115424","url":null,"abstract":"Using focus group data, this exploratory study examines beliefs about leadership derailment among local elected officials across North Carolina. Our respondents generally conceptualized derailment as the consequences that had happened to elected leaders, particularly no longer being in office, and identified a range of problematic behaviors that can derail officials. Compared to the private sector, derailment in a public setting can impact a wider segment of society. It can occur when elected public officials violate not only professional but also broader public service values or when they have missteps outside of their governance roles.","PeriodicalId":52260,"journal":{"name":"State and Local Government Review","volume":"54 1","pages":"362 - 374"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46140577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}