Smart Government – Page 4

Resource and Development Tax Credit

Problem

Historically, research and development incentives in Delaware have supported larger established companies. While these larger companies are vital to the state, smaller businesses and startups usually need more resources as they are starting out to remain competitive and expand their business efforts.

Solution

Rep. Short introduced legislation to reform the R&D Tax credit program in Delaware so that it will drive more of the resources to smaller start-up companies. By refocusing the credit toward smaller businesses and startups, this bill incentivizes innovation and growth in emerging industries that are critical to enhancing Delaware’s competitiveness and increasing the opportunity for job growth. If passed, the bill will improve the business climate for existing small businesses and attract new businesses to Delaware.

Enterprise Zones 2.0

Problem

Several parts of Nebraska, including Omaha, suffer from greater unemployment rates than the rest of the state but the state has limited resources allocated to economic development programs.

Solution

Senator Mello authored legislation to reauthorize Nebraska’s enterprise zone statutes to encourage investment and economic growth by giving preference for projects in economically distressed communities. Rather than creating a new economic development program, this innovative idea focuses existing resources where the need is greatest for the largest economic return. By giving these areas a leg up on programs like job training and affordable housing funds, these communities are able to better prepare citizens with the skills and support they need to become self-sufficient and contribute to the state economy.

Best Practice P3s

Problem

As traditional funding from the federal government has become increasingly uncertain, state and local governments are struggling to invest in the roads, power grids, and other kinds of infrastructure that we need to ‘build for the future’ in the changing economy. Without a standard set of rules around private funding for public infrastructure, it becomes much more difficult for both the government and private companies to fill this critical void.

Solution

Public Private Partnerships (P3s) are structures to essentially share resources to reduce the cost of construction, and therefore enable more projects, create the associated jobs, and literally build the kind of modern America we want to live in. Senator Keller is working to develop a standard set of best practices for public-private partnerships in order to untap private funding that can lower the cost and speed up infrastructure improvements while still ensuring accountability to the public.

Community Building Through Public Art

Problem

Salem’s downtown pedestrian mall was in need of a variety of improvements; it was tired, in need of maintenance and repair, was not pedestrian friendly, and had vacant storefronts. Without improvements, the area lacked a strong sense of community and economic activity was hindered.

Solution

Mayor Driscoll is leading the planning stages of a downtown redesign based on feedback from residents who identified public art as a means to create a great public space and enhance the economic development potential of this area. The city is starting a formal public art initiative through development of a master plan for public art, adoption of an Ordinance by Council to establish a Public Art Ordinance, and the hiring of the first Public Art Planner. This is a smart investment for everyone because art and culture add vibrancy to neighborhoods, bring people together, attract tourists to visit and stay longer, and serve as an economic development tool.

Keep Your Money Local

Problem

Cities and counties have millions in reserve and special funds but most of those dollars are invested in large funds run out of state. Local financial institutions know their community and customers better than large banks, and therefore by having access to those funds can more effectively invest in the community.

Solution

County Supervisor Coonerty proposes investing a small percentage of these reserves in local banks and credit unions to keep the money local, creating jobs and more funds for these institutions to lend to citizens to start businesses, purchase cars or improve their homes, all of which help grow the economy.

ROI on Tax Expenditures

Problem

In most states and at the federal level tax expenditures (incentives, dedications, exemptions, loopholes etc.) that have not been recently analyzed and updated are draining resources from government budgets. In NM for example, these tax breaks have cost $1 billion of taxpayer money and have not significantly increased job creation.

Solution

Senator Keller is working to bring transparency and accountability to tax expenditures by requiring annual return on investment (ROI) and jobs created reporting. This information would make it easier for impactful programs to be enhanced and wasteful, redundant and out of date programs to be shifted to areas that are more effectively meeting citizen needs and creating jobs.

One Stop for Veterans

Problem

Current programs established to provide benefits and services to veterans often struggle to find and engage the veterans they are meant to serve. Veterans falling through the cracks to the point of homelessness, unemployment, marriage breakups, higher suicide rates only get help when they hit the bottom.

Solution

Mayor Warren proposed a municipally-sponsored Veterans Center, which combined socializing/networking, activities, and speakers along with the opportunity to speak to service providers. This has been a successful model for Newton to better serve the veterans in their community while providing a comfortable environment for them to engage with other veterans.

Resilient Leadership Training

Problem

Every year, counties are faced with disasters, whether man-made or natural. How a county responds to those disasters can have long-term effects on their economic recovery and future success. Strong leadership during times of crisis can help build resilience within a county and help that area recover faster.

Solution

County Supervisor Linda Langston has proposed a training program in Cedar Rapids to prepare local elected officials and key community members to manage and lead in crisis, particularly in disaster response. Better prepared leaders leads to better response, planning, and recovery after disaster and can help a county sustain its economic competitiveness even after facing such challenges.

Small Business Tour

Problem

Too often a lack of communication between small business communities and government has hindered public trust in government’s ability to grow economic progress and solve local businesses’ greatest problems.

Solution

Upon taking office, Mayor Kriseman created the position of Small Business Liaison to better connect St. Petersburg’s small business community to their government and give them a space to voice their concerns. This Small Business liaison helps facilitate small business tours, which have become a regular part of the Mayor’s schedule and has allowed him to see and learn firsthand the challenges facing St. Petersburg’s independent businesses. By creating this partnership between the city of St. Petersburg and the Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Kriseman has successfully eliminated barriers to opportunity and is working to restore public trust in city government.

Reporting of Elder Abuse

Problem

Currently, the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) has an “ad-hoc” system of investigating reports of elder abuse. With no standard, central intake software or investigatory protocol, and each regional and local office collects reports and performs investigations in a purely subjective manner. This leads to long investigation times, unpredictability for facilities and employees being investigated, and inconsistency in treatment and protection of one of our most vulnerable populations.

Solution

House Majority Leader Hoyle has championed legislation to standardize protocol and software for reporting and investigating allegations of elder abuse. By having a uniform and predictable report and investigation protocol, the state can ensure DHS’ resources are being used in the most efficient and effective way possible, while still providing flexibility to acknowledge the nuance and sometimes subjective and emergency nature of elder abuse.

Resource and Development Tax Credit

Problem

Solution

Enterprise Zones 2.0

Problem

Solution

Best Practice P3s

Problem

Solution

Community Building Through Public Art

Problem

Solution

Keep Your Money Local

Problem

Solution

ROI on Tax Expenditures

Problem

Solution

One Stop for Veterans

Problem

Solution

Resilient Leadership Training

Problem

Solution

Small Business Tour

Problem

Solution

Reporting of Elder Abuse

Problem

Solution

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