New Way of Working with States and Localities

The article examines the federal government's connection with state and municipal governments. Instead of focusing on the outcomes of any activity conducted, the Federal government expects the various administrations under it to comply with the stated conditions. For accountability purposes, leaders should explore a partnership that emphasizes evidence-based and adaptable approaches (Feldman, 2017). Money granted to local governments must be used wisely in order to encourage local economic development and growth. The federal government is more concerned with whether municipal and state governments follow rules and rarely inquires about whether they implement projects using evidence-based methodologies.This poses challenges in addressing policy issues, especially in cases where programs overwrap due to the rules required to be followed. States and localities also find it difficult to progress due to inability to come up with new, innovative ways of dealing with policy challenges. There is a need for change in the manner of program implementation ensures the achievement of targeted goals.

The commentary puts great emphasis on flexibility in the work of the federal, state, and local governments. Improving outcomes in administration projects requires the establishment of new relations among the three levels of government. For instance, the office of the vice president can work with the Office of Management and Budget for reforms that can improve the administration of Trump (Feldman, 2017). Formation of an intergovernmental reform, which can help in reduction of unnecessary conditions blamed for inhibiting innovations at local and state levels, is necessary. The federal authority should focus on tracking results of implemented programs and allow the local and state governments to research on programs that work in their localities. Flexibility will assist in implementing programs that improve living conditions of the citizens. The article suggests an intergovernmental reform focusing on advancement of goals by creating a collaborative model that will allow implementers of programs to focus on high-priority issues. It is noted that federal programs and funding streams overlap in many policy areas. Due to different rules and requirements of reporting, there is a challenge to the local and state officials in drafting coherent feedback to particular policy challenges. This problem can be solved through the creation of a model that allows collaboration across all government levels. Collaborative working will help in improving programs related to early childhood, services for veterans, and addressing wealth gap among others.

The article suggests specific strategies such as expansion of waiver authorities to allow the state and local authorities to evaluate the innovative approaches to come up with more successful and cost-effective ones. There is a need for philanthropic and academic researchers to work closely with the authorities and to come up with suggestions of programs that can work to ensure quality services for people. In addition, launching of performance partnership pilots around issues considered of high priority, such as projects for supporting the youth is recommended. Every federal agency should ensure that their programs focus on outcomes for the American people (Feldman, 2017). Ways of modernizing grants and contracts by use of evidence-based and outcome approach should always be considered. Such means of updating can involve considering issues such as compliance reporting requirements, the data required during reporting, whether goals can be adjusted, whether the authorities have the capacity to oversee the process, as well as the barriers that limit achievement of goals. Every agency should be allowed to give its own findings and create action plans with suggestions of actions to be taken to improve outcomes. The modifications will help in creation of the good working relationship and promote program implementation at local and state levels. Other recommendations include encouraging the state and local authorities to analyze data and evaluate programs to ensure continuous improvement. Using program funds to conduct such analysis should be allowed to ensure continuous improvement. Allowing broader utilization of waivers to promote innovation especially in projects on health programs, workforce, and education is also important.

The commentary relates to class reading on the political arena since it involves the relationship between three levels of government in the United States. Implementation of federal policies at the local and state levels faces several problems due to use of approaches that are not outcome oriented. The federal government should allow the other levels to innovate for the benefit of the citizens instead of following set reporting procedures (Feldman, 2017). The Trump administration needs to reform the government to ensure that the focus is not on compliance but evidence, which constitutes results. The local and state authorities should be allowed to discuss important projects and implement programs that address the needs of the citizens. Unnecessary requirements by the federal government that do not lead to successful projects should be eliminated to allow room for innovation. The relationship between the federal and other levels of government needs to be improved to focus on evidence and results instead of concentrating on rules and procedures.

References

Feldman, A. R. (2017). A New Way of Working with States and Localities. Retrieved from https://www.brookings.edu/research/a-new-way-of-working-with-states-and-localities/