Lead & Manage

This memo discusses the successful tenure of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Donna Shalala, who served from 1993 to 2001. Secretary Shalala is often given high regards for her management style of HHS, which took into account the centralized and decentralized parts of HHS. She used a strategic management style to combat problems that previous secretaries have had with the department’s vast array of programs and divisions.    

This research paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of citizen participation in the public budgeting process. Citizens are expecting more from their government officials, and government officials often look to their citizens for input and ideas. Citizen participation in the budget process can have several advantages including increased transparency, increased citizen input on budget proposals, and gaining the public’s trust. However, there are several disadvantages to increasing citizen participation including a longer and more contentious budget process, and increased social inequality and inequity.    

This research paper discusses the drawbacks of municipalities declaring bankruptcy. There are several ethical implications for municipal bankruptcy including public employees taking on the greatest share of the burden through cuts to their pensions, health care, or other benefits.  Moreover, there are also the effects that one bankruptcy can have on the state and other municipalities often referred to as “contagion”. Thus, bankruptcy can have several negative effects for residents and taxpayers, and municipalities should always review the externalities of declaring bankruptcy.