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This week: free webinar on implementation of PerformanceStat in Somerville, Massachusetts; easing traffic congestion with off-peak truck deliveries; and, new strategy for treating overdose victims
Government Innovators Network 
 
October 29, 2015
In This Issue

What's New

In the News

Data-Smart City Solutions

WHAT'S NEW


Mayor Joseph Curtatone

Webinar with Mayor Curtatone

Harvard Kennedy School

Join Robert Behn, author of The PerformanceStat Potential, for a free webinar with Joe Curtatone, mayor of Somerville, Massachusetts, to discuss his city's implementation of the PerformanceStat leadership strategy. Somerville has been called “the best run city in Massachusetts.” November 5 at 1 pm EST. Register now>>

Stephen Goldsmith

Better, Faster, Cheaper

In partnership with Governing.com

Stephen Goldsmith explores "How a Good Idea Can Survive a Mayoral Transition" by discussing how Providence's new mayor has taken an innovative program for preschoolers launched by his predecessor and expanded it. Read more>>

IN THE NEWS


NYC and Pensacola to Test Off-Peak Truck Deliveries

In a new US Department of Transportation pilot program, New York City and Pensacola, Florida, will test delivery and pickup of goods during off-peak hours, such as overnight, to help relieve traffic congestion on city streets. Federal funds will support the recruitment of retailers and food companies in New York and vendors of a hospital system in Pensacola to initiate the study on how business operations may be retooled and what benefits can be achieved. Daytime truck deliveries often block travel lanes, parking access, and increase congestion during commutes, aside from affecting delivery schedules. If the pilot is successful, other areas may adopt similar approaches to save time and money for businesses, truck drivers, and the commuting public.

N.J. county unveils first-of-its-kind program to pay for overdose victims' rehab

Camden County, New Jersey, is launching a pilot program to support drug-overdose victims who are revived by police or at the ER and who need immediate rehabilitation. Under the present system, overdose victims who are revived using the overdose-reversal medication Narcan are treated then released, experiencing a gap in care before they can further receive in-patient treatment. Law enforcement officials and hospitals will work to provide a “warm hand-off” from the ER to in-patient detox, to intensive outpatient treatment. The plan will support the expanded treatment for about 50 people to start.

Instead of Fighting, Some Cities Team Up With Airbnb and Uber

Although sharing-economy companies and municipalities often have prickly relationships, some are partnering to improve their communities’ service delivery and emergency preparedness. Portland, Oregon, and San Francisco have agreements with Airbnb through which the company identifies hosts who are willing to offer free lodging during declared emergencies, trains them, and waives service fees for the lodging they provide at such times. And, in Macomb County, Michigan, Uber provides transportation for those summoned to jury duty, giving them a safe and hassle-free ride where parking options are limited.

California Becomes 2nd State To Automatically Register Voters

To encourage higher turnout at the polls, California has become the second state to automatically register its residents to vote when they receive state identification or renew their driver’s licenses. The “New Motor Voter Act,” which allows anyone to opt-out if they want, targets the estimated 6.6 million eligible but un-registered California voters. The new law will go into effect in January 2016.

Indiana turns to college students to bolster new cybersecurity effort

Indiana hopes to harness the knowledge of its college students to combat cyber-threats in the state. The Indiana Security Operations Center, a joint program between the state and Purdue University, pairs state employees and students to monitor security incidents. The students learn the trade, and conduct the necessary but lower-level analysis to relieve the workload of more senior staff. When cyber-threats are identified, they are shared with other organizations fighting cyber-terrorism. While the center is currently only open during business hours and staffed with a dozen people, officials hope to bring in many more students to staff the center and create an around-the-clock operation.

DATA-SMART CITY SOLUTIONS


Pedal-Powered Data: How cities are gathering and using data on bicycles for planning and governance

Cities and states around the world are beginning to gather data from their bicyclists in a range of ways in an effort to harness the benefits of this growing trend. The growth of biking within cities has inherent value in its various health, cost-saving, and traffic-reducing benefits, but is also an important new source of data — making it a trend worth promoting.

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER


Innovators Insights is the news digest from the Government Innovators Network on the latest in government innovations. This digest is sent out every two weeks and is compiled and written by the editorial staff of the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard Kennedy School. In each issue, the editorial team identifies top policy and programmatic news that is related to government innovations so that you can stay informed about creative government at its best.

Editor: Jessica Engelman
Researcher & Writer: Brendan St. Amant
Note: The stories in this newsletter link to source articles on other websites and may not be available after a certain length of time.



ABOUT THE ASH CENTER


The Roy and Lila Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation advances excellence in governance and strengthens democratic institutions worldwide. Through its research, education, international programs, and government innovations awards, the Center fosters creative and effective problem solving and serves as a catalyst for addressing many of the most pressing needs of the world's citizens. The Ford Foundation is a founding donor of the Center. Additional information about the Ash Center is available at http://ash.harvard.edu.

 
 
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