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B&G REPORT.
The B&G Report features newsy items relating to a wide variety of state and local government management topics, including state and local performance audit, state and local performance management, government budgeting, state and local human resource issues, and a variety of other public sector issues.
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![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_ec4b372f872448909ff6ff9a8df81491~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/0b278b_ec4b372f872448909ff6ff9a8df81491~mv2.webp)
![FAILURE AS A KEY TO SUCCESS](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_ec4b372f872448909ff6ff9a8df81491~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/0b278b_ec4b372f872448909ff6ff9a8df81491~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
3 min read
FAILURE AS A KEY TO SUCCESS
We’ve just been catching up on one of our favorite podcasts, Freakonomics Radio, and came across a wonderful conversation with Samuel...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8e1b5e_dbd1434e5dbe420daa09630b8304e98a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/8e1b5e_dbd1434e5dbe420daa09630b8304e98a~mv2.webp)
![The Sisyphus Files – Repeated Issues in Performance Audits](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8e1b5e_dbd1434e5dbe420daa09630b8304e98a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/8e1b5e_dbd1434e5dbe420daa09630b8304e98a~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
3 min read
The Sisyphus Files – Repeated Issues in Performance Audits
Episode Two: Inappropriate Computer Access - We don’t recall any performance auditors complaining to us about the frustration they must...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8e1b5e_dbd1434e5dbe420daa09630b8304e98a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/8e1b5e_dbd1434e5dbe420daa09630b8304e98a~mv2.webp)
![The Sisyphus Files – Repeated Issues in Performance Audits](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8e1b5e_dbd1434e5dbe420daa09630b8304e98a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/8e1b5e_dbd1434e5dbe420daa09630b8304e98a~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
3 min read
The Sisyphus Files – Repeated Issues in Performance Audits
Episode One: Data Quality - Over the course of years, as we’ve closely followed the work of state and local performance auditors, a...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_728cb0c1f0c2411ab0a3568788eb9643~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/0b278b_728cb0c1f0c2411ab0a3568788eb9643~mv2.webp)
![Let’s Talk Performance!](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_728cb0c1f0c2411ab0a3568788eb9643~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/0b278b_728cb0c1f0c2411ab0a3568788eb9643~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
2 min read
Let’s Talk Performance!
A couple of weeks ago, we were invited by the National Center for Public Performance to be the inaugural panelists in its series of...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_afb6a83f073d4086bbde853c1d29ef6a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/0b278b_afb6a83f073d4086bbde853c1d29ef6a~mv2.webp)
![The Non-Tech Problems with Public Sector Apps](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_afb6a83f073d4086bbde853c1d29ef6a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/0b278b_afb6a83f073d4086bbde853c1d29ef6a~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
2 min read
The Non-Tech Problems with Public Sector Apps
With the advent of mobile apps and easily accessible web portals, there’s growing potential for improved communication between...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_81968ef7e2a4431b9490951422d3a864~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/0b278b_81968ef7e2a4431b9490951422d3a864~mv2.webp)
![The Fight for Independent Oversight](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_81968ef7e2a4431b9490951422d3a864~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/0b278b_81968ef7e2a4431b9490951422d3a864~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
3 min read
The Fight for Independent Oversight
In 2018, a regional ballot measure in nine counties in the San Francisco area dedicated $500 million of $4.5 billion in increased...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_00a46f6397084b2f84036c1907f984d1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/0b278b_00a46f6397084b2f84036c1907f984d1~mv2.webp)
![Lagging Inspections: Will We Never Learn?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_00a46f6397084b2f84036c1907f984d1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/0b278b_00a46f6397084b2f84036c1907f984d1~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
2 min read
Lagging Inspections: Will We Never Learn?
We are, as readers of the B&G Report know, regular users of performance audits. In so doing, we're sometimes reminded about the Greek...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_80648e9cbdd64991974025ad01cd849c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/0b278b_80648e9cbdd64991974025ad01cd849c~mv2.webp)
![The B&G Wordle](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_80648e9cbdd64991974025ad01cd849c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/0b278b_80648e9cbdd64991974025ad01cd849c~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
1 min read
The B&G Wordle
It was clear that many of you enjoyed the Wordle that appeared in this space a little under a week ago, so we decided to put up new...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_df683d2b3e8646639acf46feb6a99a12~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/0b278b_df683d2b3e8646639acf46feb6a99a12~mv2.webp)
![Why States Need Stronger Statutes about Animal Cruelty](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_df683d2b3e8646639acf46feb6a99a12~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/0b278b_df683d2b3e8646639acf46feb6a99a12~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
3 min read
Why States Need Stronger Statutes about Animal Cruelty
by Diana Urban, former Chair of the Connecticut General Assembly Committee on Children, presently founder and president of Protecting...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_80648e9cbdd64991974025ad01cd849c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/0b278b_80648e9cbdd64991974025ad01cd849c~mv2.webp)
![The B&G Worldle](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_80648e9cbdd64991974025ad01cd849c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/0b278b_80648e9cbdd64991974025ad01cd849c~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
1 min read
The B&G Worldle
Are you playing the seemingly addictive game of Wordle? Practically everyone we know seems to be. Doubtless, the day of Wordle will pass,...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_6c9a4aa4a88145b4b0f99ce8c82ef071~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/0b278b_6c9a4aa4a88145b4b0f99ce8c82ef071~mv2.webp)
![A Law Ignored “To a Startling Degree”](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_6c9a4aa4a88145b4b0f99ce8c82ef071~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/0b278b_6c9a4aa4a88145b4b0f99ce8c82ef071~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
2 min read
A Law Ignored “To a Startling Degree”
While pensions and retiree health liabilities garner lots of headlines as dramatic fiscal threats, a less-publicized, but still critical...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_90c5382185b64227ac3434728857be1b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/0b278b_90c5382185b64227ac3434728857be1b~mv2.webp)
![How Staffing Shortages May Be Affecting Illinois Children](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_90c5382185b64227ac3434728857be1b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/0b278b_90c5382185b64227ac3434728857be1b~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
2 min read
How Staffing Shortages May Be Affecting Illinois Children
Over the last months, we've written a series of columns for Route Fifty and elsewhere about the difficulties states and localities are...
![How Can Auditors Work Well With Agencies and the Other Way Around](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_6a36338f0896487c8d03fee5ae4d4788~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/0b278b_6a36338f0896487c8d03fee5ae4d4788~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
2 min read
How Can Auditors Work Well With Agencies and the Other Way Around
We’ve been spending our day watching the Association of Local Government Auditors Annual Conference online. We wish we could be there in...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_4b851cbd04e34d10a68ebd53d06b0687~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/0b278b_4b851cbd04e34d10a68ebd53d06b0687~mv2.webp)
![Return Utah: Reducing the Stigma of Work Gaps](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_4b851cbd04e34d10a68ebd53d06b0687~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_480,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/0b278b_4b851cbd04e34d10a68ebd53d06b0687~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
6 min read
Return Utah: Reducing the Stigma of Work Gaps
Pools of new talent for state and local governments are in short supply. One state, which has come up with a significant new effort is...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_734ddcb54e3440fd8821eef812fe9ec0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/0b278b_734ddcb54e3440fd8821eef812fe9ec0~mv2.webp)
![What Value are Sensible Statutes Without Sufficient Oversight?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_734ddcb54e3440fd8821eef812fe9ec0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/0b278b_734ddcb54e3440fd8821eef812fe9ec0~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
2 min read
What Value are Sensible Statutes Without Sufficient Oversight?
On April 1st a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that there was a crisis in mental health among...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_d0708b3eb9e1489ca98afca7b4374a81~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/0b278b_d0708b3eb9e1489ca98afca7b4374a81~mv2.webp)
![Recommended Podcasts for You](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_d0708b3eb9e1489ca98afca7b4374a81~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/0b278b_d0708b3eb9e1489ca98afca7b4374a81~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
2 min read
Recommended Podcasts for You
We both really like listening to podcasts and even though we don’t have nearly the time to tune into all the ones we enjoy, we’re always...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_b7a1ab5eb29f4fefa0436503cebebc55~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/0b278b_b7a1ab5eb29f4fefa0436503cebebc55~mv2.webp)
![The Federal Jobs Report: What’s Happening In States and Localities?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_b7a1ab5eb29f4fefa0436503cebebc55~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/0b278b_b7a1ab5eb29f4fefa0436503cebebc55~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
2 min read
The Federal Jobs Report: What’s Happening In States and Localities?
On the morning of April 1, 2022, the New York Times gleefully reported this very long sentence about the happy news from the Department...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_8649338928fb4faf8dd6ad7e7eab75ea~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/0b278b_8649338928fb4faf8dd6ad7e7eab75ea~mv2.webp)
![State Investments: Higher Returns vs. Other Benefits](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_8649338928fb4faf8dd6ad7e7eab75ea~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_400,h_300,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/0b278b_8649338928fb4faf8dd6ad7e7eab75ea~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
2 min read
State Investments: Higher Returns vs. Other Benefits
When states invest money, whether for their pension plans or other purposes, to what extent is it sensible for them to trade potentially...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_c739b5663d7b4992acd66de0a509b74a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/0b278b_c739b5663d7b4992acd66de0a509b74a~mv2.webp)
![California’s Powerful Example of Citizen Participation](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_c739b5663d7b4992acd66de0a509b74a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/0b278b_c739b5663d7b4992acd66de0a509b74a~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
2 min read
California’s Powerful Example of Citizen Participation
We often talk about performance auditors on this website. These dedicated professionals may be appointed or elected. They use...
![Portland's New Review of its Audit Recommendations](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b278b_96e5f7e52d6149ac994b51d521159884~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/0b278b_96e5f7e52d6149ac994b51d521159884~mv2.webp)
greenebarrett
1 min read
Portland's New Review of its Audit Recommendations
Performance auditors frequently do a very good job at holding agencies in their states, cities and counties accountable, by doing careful...
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