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Supreme Court Decisions Zero in on Elections Administration, Voting
As the Supreme Court’s current term comes to a close, a number of important and long-awaited decisions have been handed down. While the court has decided a variety of cases—and more will be decided this week—a few of them have focused on election administration.
First, this week's election law decision, Moore v. Harper, which ruled that state legislatures cannot overrule state courts with regard to the power to regulate federal elections. Widely discussed due to its application of “independent state legislature theory,” in a 6-3 decision, the justices rejected the idea that state legislatures have broad power over federal elections without any role for state courts in supervising that power. In this case, North Carolina's legislature redrew its voting district map and sued when the state's Supreme Court rejected the new map. The lawsuit's premise was that the Constitution's Elections Clause gives state legislatures final authority on their federal election process.
As noted on Scotusblog.com, “[Chief Justice] Roberts cautioned, ‘state courts do not have free rein’ to strike down state laws governing elections. Because the elections clause gives state legislatures power over governing federal elections, Roberts said, federal courts ‘have an obligation to ensure that state court interpretations of that law do not evade federal law.’”
Also on the docket this term was a challenge to Louisiana’s congressional map, in which the justices released their hold, indicating a federal appeals court should review the case before next fall’s elections. This case will head back to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Third, a case in Alabama was decided recently in which the court held that state lawmakers had, indeed, undercut the voting power of Black constituents—a decision that had been expected to go the other direction. The case was considered a victory for the Voting Rights Act, which has been undercut by earlier courts.
Before the end of the week, the court is expected to issue several more rulings related to college affirmative action, student debt relief and reasonable accommodations for religious practices, all of which have broader ramifications.
The affirmative action cases, Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina, may result in overturning decades of precedent as affirmative action slowly moves out of favor both within academic institutions and perhaps the public itself. Eyes are on the court primarily for how broad the ruling will be when it is handed down.
The student debt relief case, Biden v. Nebraska, circles back to August 2022’s executive order from President Biden to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt relief per debtor. The court is generally expected to rule against the administration given that it is questionable whether the executive branch has the power to cancel the debt.
In Groff v. DeJoy, a U.S. Postal Service employee is suing the Postal Service for requiring him to work on Sundays despite his religious beliefs that include honoring the Sabbath. Again, the question will be how broadly the case will be decided, though the court generally is expected to uphold the religious protections.
The end of the current term has been busy. So far, the impact within public administration—with the exception of Sackett v. EPA, issued at the end of May, which critically curtailed the EPA’s ability to regulate waterways—has been to hold the status quo (a relief after the 2022 Dobbs decision changed health care as we knew it). We will see what the end of the term brings before drawing any final conclusions.
Credit to ScotusBlog.com and the National Constitution Center for the information we compiled to write this summary.
E-Learning at Your Fingertips
ASPA staff work tirelessly to keep your skills up to date and the information flowing all year long through our e-learning program. Visit our website to see more details about upcoming KeepingCurrent, BookTalk and Student and New Professional series programming.
KeepingCurrent: Staying the Course in Local Government Innovations: The Case for Ensuring Best Practices Don’t Become the Enemy of Better Practices
July 19 | 1 p.m. EDT
Sponsored by ASPA's Center for Accountability and Performance
Presenters:
Howard Waldie, IV, Chief Innovation Officer, City of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Emily Burns, Performance Analyst, City of Rock Hill, South Carolina
Effectively implementing best practices in local government often requires prioritization of incremental changes. For these changes to take root and produce real and sustainable positive change, practitioners must skillfully adapt best practices to consider the organization’s culture, resources and bandwidth. Learn how leaders in the cities of Myrtle Beach and Rock Hill, South Carolina are smartly adding unique adaptions in process improvements and strategic planning to move their organizations forward.
From the Archives
BookTalk: How About Them Apples?
Branda Nowell and Brint Milward’s book, Apples to Apples: A Taxonomy for Understanding Networks in Public Management and Policy, provides an empirically observable taxonomy and measurable characteristics to tell one class of network from another. Nowell and Milward argue that without knowing what kind of network you want to create, implement or evaluate, you are in danger of comparing apples to oranges and making the wrong assumptions about how to govern or evaluate the network. Enjoy this excellent book discussion! (Members-only.)
NAPA Forum on Schedule F and the Future of the Public Service: Tomorrow!
This Thursday, June 29, NAPA will host a forum on "Schedule F and the Future of the Civil Service." The forum will feature James Sherk, director, Center for American Freedom at America First Policy Institute and special assistant to the president in the Trump administration; Michael Rigas, director, American Leadership Initiative, director, America First Policy Institute and former acting director, U.S. Office of Personnel Management in the Trump Administration; Mary Guy, distinguished professor at the University of Colorado at Denver; and James-Christian Blockwood, executive vice president at the Partnership for Public Service and former career member of the Senior Executive Service. Don Kettl, professor emeritus and former dean at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, will moderate the forum.
For Purchase: A Call to Serve
Put some motivation in your students' and colleagues' pockets this fall—or any time of the year!
Collected by Marc Holzer, A Call to Serve is a pocket-sized book of motivational quotes about public service, ethics, compassion, citizenship and more.
Filled with hundreds of quotes from a range of public servants, humanists, philosophers, actors, policymakers and more, this collection will help your students remember their calling on their darkest days (and their brightest!).
Click here to purchase your copy today! Bulk orders can be accommodated; contact our membership team for quotes and assistance.
Call for Member News!
ASPA is working on the next edition of PA TIMES magazine, to be published digitally at the end of the summer. Each edition includes a section of member updates and news. If you have anything you'd like us to consider for this section, please send it to us by July 31, 2023.
For those who need an idea of what we include: Most things! But, check out the most recent edition of the magazine online here and flip to the end for the member updates. (If you missed our most recent round of the magazine, use the link to download your copy and get caught up!)
The National Debt Now Exceeds $32 Trillion
According to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, the national debt is now more than $32 trillion, costing the United States $2 billion per day in interest payments alone. Below is an infographic that illustrates this problem; solving it will take a range of policy choices and legislators prepared to make the hard decisions to get us there.
Learn more on the Peterson Foundation website.
The Connection Between Urban Parks and Health
The Trust for Public Land released its 2023 ParkScore rankings, showing the best parks in America's most populous cities. More, it also released a report, "The Power of Parks to Promote Health," showing the correlation between high ParkScore rankings and lower levels of poor mental health and inactivity.
While it is well-known that being outside improves both mental and physical health, this new report demonstrates the extent to which public park systems are working with community organizations to create programs that promote better health—including health care insurance companies and health care providers. Of the 100 cities listed in the rankings, the majority of them have a formal partnership with a health care institution and, in some cases, are even receiving funding from them for health improvement programs.
But what about access, you ask? The rankings account for that as well, scoring the cities for access, equity, acreage, investment and amenities. It's not enough to have a ton of parks in your city; your residents also need to be able to get to them and find innovative things to do once there. This includes things like "forest bathing," swimming, educational programming, sports courts (now including pickleball!) and community gardens.
So, which are the top five cities? In order: Washington, DC; Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota; Irvine, California; and Arlington, Virginia.
Access more about this story via Governing and download the new report there.
Now, we hope we have inspired you to go take a walk!
Public Administration Today Highlight
Public Administration Today features white papers, research and blogs from across the profession. This edition's highlight looks at urban structures! If you're interested in more—especially your own curated news feed in your inbox every week—visit the website, create an account and check off your interest areas so you can stay up to date about the latest research being released!
Supporting Military Service Member and Veteran Well-Being Through the Arts
Via the National League of Cities - There are more than half a million military service members who are living with conditions that compromise their mental health and well-being, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. With 62 percent of the veteran population falling outside federal health care systems, the burden falls on local communities to step in. Needs often include helping veterans address feelings of isolation and loneliness, homelessness, accessing mental health services and reintegrating into the community. These systemic challenges require extensive collaboration and local arts organizations can be key partners for local governments.
National Civic League Announces All-America City Award Winners
The National Civic League has announced the winners of its 2023 All-America City Award. These 10 communities showed the strength of their civic capital—the formal and informal relationships, networks and capacities they use to make decisions and solve problems—and provided examples of work to improve the health and well-being of young people and, by extension, all residents. A primary focus was placed on communities that are authentically involving and welcoming youth in their efforts.
Finalist communities assembled teams of residents, nonprofits, businesses, government leaders and young people and presented the story of their work to a jury of nationally recognized civic leaders from June 9-11. After an afternoon of deliberation, the jury selected the 10 winners, which were announced during the closing ceremony.
Winning cities are:
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Dallas, Texas
- Davie County, North Carolina
- Decatur, Georgia
- Fayetteville, North Carolina
- Gonzales, California
- Hampton, Virginia
- Mesa, Arizona
- Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
- San Antonio, Texas
You can learn more about all the finalists and their projects on the National Civic League website. Videos of all presentations will be available shortly.
Tips, Resources and the Fun Stuff
Work Advice: The Unwritten Workplace Rules We Wish Someone Had Told Us
In response to a recent query about unwritten workplace rules, here are some of the best tips received from new workers and the people who train them.
Here are Five Tips to Help You Stay Safe and Cool in Extreme Heat
Of course, it's always hotter in summer. But the heat waves today are not the same as those 60 years ago. The warming climate is making heat waves more intense and they are lasting longer too. So it's important for people to keep cool and protect themselves from the extreme heat.
Twenty Short Observations from a High School Teacher
With school wrapped up for the summer, these notes provide a view into today's classroom.
In the News
Today's headlines contain plenty of news coverage of some of our nation's most pressing public administration challenges. ASPA has curated some of the most important stories from recent weeks. If you have not seen these yet, make sure you read them now!
Infrastructure
Public Finance
Public Service
Social Equity
Members in the News
NAPA Awards ASPA Past President Susan Gooden with Philip J. Rutledge Social Equity Leadership Award
Congratulations to Susan Gooden, dean and professor at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Governance and Public Affairs, for this honor. The Rutledge Award emphasizes Gooden's enduring dedication to promoting social equity.
PMRA Awards Don Kettl H. George Frederickson Award
The committee writes that the purpose of the Frederickson Award is to honor a senior scholar for exemplary contributions to the intellectual development of the field.
Aristide J. Collins Jr. Takes Senior Role at Strada Education Foundation
ASPA member Aristide Collins, Jr., is transitioning from The George Washington University to Strada Educational Foundation.
Ed DeSeve Embarks with GovNavigators
GovNavigators announced today that G. Edward DeSeve, former Special Advisor to the President and Former Deputy Director for Management at OMB, will join GovNavigators as a Senior Advisor. He will provide guidance to GovNavigators' clients in the areas of public policy, brand management, and business development.
SC Ports, City of Charleston Share New Plan for Union Pier
The Riley Center for Livable Communities at the College of Charleston is engaged to guide this plan.
A Researcher Explores Ways Kansas Citians Can Protect Democracy in America
Featuring an interview with Valerie Lemmie.
There’s Something DHS Can Do to Help Civilian Agencies Fight Cyberattacks
By Ron Sanders
The $74,000 Question: Cancer, Medicaid and the Urge to Purge the Rolls
By Don Kettl
The GOP Wants to Bring Back Pay for Performance, but a Leading Expert Says It’ll Never Work
Featuring James Perry
Tell Me Something Good...
Need some good news in your world? Check this out:
Hajj Pilgrimage Starts in Saudi Arabia, with 2 Million Expected after Lifting of COVID Measures
Muslim pilgrims in Mecca circled the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site, and then converged on a vast tent camp in the nearby desert, officially opening the annual Hajj pilgrimage on Monday, returning to its full capacity for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic.
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Around Public Administration
Here are the most recent updates from across the profession. Did we miss you? Send us your news and we'll include it in the next round!
Upcoming Events:
Calls for proposals and other updates:
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Review of Public Personnel Administration Call for Editors
Sage has announced the search for a new editor for Review of Public Personnel Administration (ROPPA). ROPPA presents timely, rigorous scholarship on human resource management in public service organizations. The journal provides research for scholars and professionals to stay abreast of advancements and innovations in the field. Of particular interest are studies that analyze the effects of specific human resource procedures or programs on the management function and studies that assess the impact of human resource management on the broader areas of public policy and administration. Both traditional and emerging topics are encouraged. The editor will be expected to work with Sage to ensure high-quality peer review and timely and accurate delivery of manuscripts for publication. The editor will be responsible for soliciting, reviewing and making final decisions on submissions to the journal and will manage all aspects of the publication and review process using the ScholarOne (formerly Manuscript Central) electronic submission and review platform. The editor is expected to maintain timely and effective communication, advance journal performance and work toward upholding ROPPA’s high-quality standard. Applicants should have a distinguished scholarly record in environment and development fields and experience in academic leadership roles. They also should possess strong organizational and management skills, the ability to work well with others and a commitment to Sage’s mission: believing passionately that engaged scholarship lies at the heart of any healthy society and that education is intrinsically valuable. Applications are due by July 31, 2023. Contact Publishing Editor Cassandra Garcia for more information.
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Public Money and Management Special Issue on "Hyper-Lean" Post Managerialism
This PMM theme will concentrate on understanding the short- and long-term impact on economies, organizations and public sector and not-for-profit employees if the present priorities, funding and management models persist in terms of equity, fairness and the wellbeing of societies. Organizations need to do more than examine their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility; they need to examine the sustainability of the "hyper lean" post-managerialism logic. We welcome articles that challenge the present entrenched paradigm and instead propose new funding and management logics. All articles are due by July 31, 2023. Click here for more information.
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ABFM Opens Annual Awards Nomination Period
Nominations are now being accepted for ABFM's 2023 Annual Awards, which will be presented during its upcoming Annual Conference in October. Its expanded awards program recognizes achievements by faculty, researchers and practitioners in scholarship and service in multiple categories. Nominations should be submitted to the chair of the committee for each award. Self-nominations will be accepted. All nominations are due August 1, 2023. Click here for more information.
Aaron Wildavsky Award: ABFM's lifetime achievement award for work in budgeting and financial management in memory of Dr. Aaron Wildavsky. Professor Wildavsky was a pioneering scholar in the fields of government budgeting, public policy, and policy analysis. Chair: Jerry Zhao.
S. Kenneth Howard Award: Established in memory of S. Kenneth Howard to honor lifetime achievement by a practitioner in the field of budgeting and financial management. Chair: Bob Bland
Michael Curro Award: Established in memory of Michael Curro, this award is for the best graduate student paper. Graduate students who have written outstanding papers in the field as part of a course, independent study or other faculty supervised project are eligible. Co-Chairs: Michelle Lofton and
Can Chen
Paul Posner Pracademic Award: In honor and memory of Paul Posner, this award honors lifetime achievement for significant contributions made to the field of budgeting and financial management as both a practitioner and academic. Co-Chairs: Jerry Zhao and Bob Bland
Scholarly Engagement Award: The award is for the best submission for outstanding public budgeting and/or finance scholarly engagement in the previous calendar year. This should entail an effort or product of scholarship whose primary purpose is public and/or community service and the audience is public servants and practitioners. Chair: Justin Marlowe
Best Book Award: The Best Book Award shall be awarded to the best submission for an outstanding public budgeting and finance book or edited volume with a copyright date within the past three years. Award eligibility is limited to books with ABFM members in good standing. The book should be targeted to an academic research audience, and not be a textbook or a practitioner workbook. Preference will be given to books rather than edited volumes. Chair: Justin Ross
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Nonprofit Policy Forum Call for Papers
Nonprofit Policy Forum (NPF) invites papers for a special issue on nonprofits, public policy and migration crises. Crises of migration draw attention in many parts of the world, but are overlooked with dire consequences in others. Nonprofits, NGOs and other civil society actors participate in and are affected by migration crises in a variety of ways. This special issue explores the relationship between nonprofits (or NGOs or other civil society actors), public policy and migration crises. the editors use the term “migration crises” here to capture situations of vulnerable migration that include refugees and internally displaced persons, but might also include other individuals who do not technically qualify for refugee status but are migrating at risk and in vulnerable circumstances. The special issue will be comprised primarily of research articles, and may include one or more research note, policy brief, commentary, case study, interview or book review. All submissions are due August 15, 2023. Click here for more information.
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Public Performance and Management Review Special Issue Call for Papers
Public Performance and Management Review (PPMR) will produce a special issue focusing on the potential of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to transform administrative decisionmaking and impact the way the public engages with government agencies. Generative AI refers to systems that, in response to prompts written in natural language, dynamically generate content that is, or appears to be, novel. The recent proliferation of generative AI models has received a great deal of attention, increasingly serving as a source of controversy as speculation over these tools’ effects on society proliferates. With this in mind, PPMR seeks contributions that consider the implications of generative AI for public administration. The editors are particularly interested in studies that reflect on whether these new tools stand to reinforce existing bureaucratic pathologies, as previous generations of government technology have typically done, or to qualitatively change the way public bureaucracies function. Editors welcome all types of contributions, including conceptual and empirical articles. Proposals that include the title, list of authors, and a 300-word abstract should be submitted to the special issue editors by August 15, 2023. Contact editors Kaifeng Yang, Gregory Porumbescu or Matthew Young with questions or for more information.
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International Journal of Public Sector Management Call for Papers
IJPSM is releasing a call for papers for a special issue: Governance and accountability of multiple values of municipal corporations. Municipal corporations have been established in different parts of the world to provide local public services (such as infrastructure, utilities, education, health care, cultural and social services) under the influence of new public management doctrines and related neoliberal ideologies. Their hybrid organizational nature implies that their governance is permeated by a multiplicity of values. Scant attention has been paid by previous scholars to how different actors (i.e. board members, auditors, controllers, CSR managers, etc.) and their values affect goals in hybrid municipal corporations and their role in the development of governance and accountability practices. The aim of this special issue is to improve the theoretical and practical understanding of the drivers, obstacles, and tensions for value creation and the accounting implications in municipally owned corporations. This special issue also will explore the role of governance and accountability practices to disclose multiple values created by municipal corporations, with a particular focus on the societal and public values. Editors encourage theoretical, conceptual and empirical submissions from different institutional contexts and by scholars across disciplines. The guest editors will run an online CIRIEC workshop on September 21 and 22, 2023, where authors will be given an opportunity to present and get feedback on their research. The deadline for submissions (full or work-in-progress papers formatted in line with IJPSM’s submission requirements) to the workshop is August 31, 2023, via email.
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Public Money and Management Call for Manuscripts
Public Money and Management will publish a theme issue in 2024 that comparatively explores the recruitment, training and retention of senior public officials. There have been many changes in approach to the recruitment, training and retention of senior public officials in different regions across the globe, including a general trend away from purely merit-based recruitment toward the focus on and acquisition of definable skills. This has occurred alongside a more nuanced recognition of the need to reflect greater diversity in the background of public officials in many countries. In the drive to gain more efficient and effective delivery of public services, and to overcome the wicked problems often grappled within the public sector, the move to skills-based recruitment and training alongside attention to equality and diversity concerns frequently coincide in modernization drives. This theme seeks to solicit articles from an international range of sources to address the question: How should we recruit and retain a public service fit for purpose and what will it look like? All research articles are due November 20, 2023; debate and ND articles are due January 31, 2024. Click here for more information.
PA TIMES Online
Here's a selection of current pieces on PA TIMES Online, covering a range of issues within the profession. We accept individual articles on a rolling basis; if you have a piece you think would fit our publication, submit it to [email protected] for consideration. (Please review our submission guidelines in advance!)
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