The Next Evolution
Moody’s Analytics released a report analyzing the effect a moderate or severe recession would have on the 50 states. The report outlines the main economic factors that impair states during economic downturns and shows how variables in different states will affect their budgets. North Carolina faired reasonably well in the stress testing. Under conditions Moody’s suggested would be a moderate recession, N.C. reserves would almost cover the drop in revenues. Thirteen states had stronger reserves in Moody’s modeling.
For Your Consideration
The Kaiser Family Foundation released survey data on recent and expected trends in Medicaid spending and enrollment. The bottom line: Medicaid enrollments are down while Medicaid spending is rising. The trends are expected to continue into 2018.
Dropping Knowledge
The American Enterprise Institute issued a policy guide on how governments-local, state and federal-can utilize data. The guide is written for an audience that understands data but gives a clear overview of how states the barriers to using data better and offers solutions to begin removing them. Here a good summary graphic from the guide:
| Category | Barrier | Solution |
| Privacy & Data Security | Privacy laws are often misunderstood, and many agencies lack access to the proper technology to ensure personally identifiable information will remain confidential | Provide guidance on privacy laws. Communities must reach a consensus on application and appropriate technology to ensure personally identifiable information will remain confidential. |
| Data Curation | Administrative data are collected with diverse and inconsistent goals, definitions, and reporting units. The data often contain errors and reflect organizational biases. | Create standard definitions and require implementation as a condition of state and federal funding. Technological solutions can be used as an alternative. Most importantly, data must be used to improve their quality. |
| Culture & Governance Framework | Many agencies have a culture of restricting data access for false reasons rather than instilling a sharing and learning organizational mind-set. | Instill a belief that data are a public good. Implement a governance framework that is guided by shared values and transparency to facilitate appropriate data sharing. |
| Capacity | There is a lack of ease and comfort with using and sharing data among many government agencies. | Implement data sharing in a tiered approach, opening up greater access over time. |
What we're reading
To Uber or not? Why car ownership may no longer be a good deal
An analysis of the all-in cost of car ownership found that mobility services such as ride-hailing and ride-sharing apps will likely provide compelling economic option for a significant portion of Americans.... Read the rest-
Near the campus cow pasture, a scientist works to grow human organs — in pigs
-
Five Reasons Why We Must Modernize School Transportation
-
Why Parents Make Flawed Choices About Their Kids' Schooling
-
Smartphones Are Killing Americans, But Nobody’s Counting
-
Devastation in Puerto Rico could produce a revolutionary power grid
-
Visiting Working Class America
