Government Capacity

The deadly Texas floods will not be the last manifestation of extreme weather turbocharged by fossil fuel pollution. In an era of escalating climate threats, we need a stronger public sector with more resources to mitigate risks, help people weather storms, and adapt for the future.

“It’s only a matter of time before Trump and Musk’s reckless assault on disaster response and preparedness kills people in the United States.”

Revolving Door Project senior researchers Kenny Stancil and Henry Burke joined Citations Needed to talk about the so-called Abundance agenda, including how it’s being promoted as an alternative to a downwardly redistributive economic populism.

As the chaos at Newark airport continues, the FAA is losing its leaders to deferred resignation and Secretary Duffy deflects blame. Meanwhile, United CEO works with traditional media to scapegoat Newark’s traumatized workers.

IRS understaffing could undermine tax collection, audits, and public service.

Department of Interior understaffing has been threatening environmental protection efforts and the health of marginalized communities.

In the months before the re-election of Donald Trump precipitated our rapid descent into authoritarianism, two books were being written about the idea that progressivism went astray in the 1960s and 1970s. In Abundance, Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson describe a drift into a “politics of scarcity,” and in Why Nothing Works, Marc Dunkelman calls it a “cultural aversion to power.” Both books ask a pertinent question: Why doesn’t the government do big, bold things, quickly, to address the pressing issues of our time? We have an abundance of viewpoints and veto points, they argue, but a shortage of affordable housing and transmission lines. Something’s got to give. The unstated question, of course, is who must give.

The Democratic Party could spell this out clearly and consistently for voters.

HUD’s enforcement power and ability to carry out federal programs have been weakened for years by staffing shortages. This blog overviews the key reasons why HUD needs more staff.

Even under a friendlier administration, the FTC has not been given a budget that would fully allow the agency to fulfill its mission. This blog overviews some of the enforcement responsibilities the FTC could better fulfill with more staff.

During the Biden administration, EPA workers reported a staffing crisis at the agency. The Trump administration now wants to drastically decrease its work force. This blog overviews the impacts of an understaffed EPA on the health and wellbeing of our environment and communities.

The SSA has been in the midst of a severe staffing crisis for years. Even though SSA staffing had already been decreasing under Biden, Trump’s cost-cutting administration has moved to slash its staff even more than it has already been reduced. This blog overviews why the SSA needs more staff.

Even on the brink of a shutdown, the GOP remains committed to shutting down the federal government.

Musk Connections: Unknown
Other Corporate Affiliations: Partner at Brewer Attorneys & Counselors, Counsel at Bailey and Ehrenberg PLLC
DOGE Deployment: Senior Advisor, Office of Personnel Management (OPM)