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Innovators Insights




  • Energy Supply & Distribution
  • Policing and Crime Prevention
  • Corrections, Probation, and Parole
  • Poverty Alleviation
  • Organizational Management
  • Preschool Education
  • Preschool Education
  • E-government
  • Technology
  • Traffic Control
  • Traffic Control

  • Interview with Tony Saich on China
  • 2009 Innovations Awards: Call for Applications
 
August 19, 2008
What's New
2008 Innovations Awards Announcement Dinner


The Ash Institute will host a special evening to celebrate the winners of the 2008 Innovations in American Government Awards. The event will be held on September 9, in Washington, DC. For more information and to register, please e-mail [email protected]. Space is limited.

New on our site
Management Insights for Public Managers


Babak Armajani on a push-pull strategy for change.

Energy Supply & Distribution
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Freeway drivers will soon see the (solar) light

08/08/2008 | The Oregonian (Portland, Oregon)

Oregon will soon become the first state to implement a solar panel project on a major highway. In partnership with Portland General Electric (PGE) and US Bank, Oregon will install a row of panels five-feet wide and two football fields in length near an interchange. The installation will produce electricity for the PGE grid during the day, and PGE will return an equivalent amount of power at night to light the interchange. The state Department of Transportation will seek proposals for similar highway projects early next year.

Policing and Crime Prevention
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Wheels of misfortune; bicycle thefts are rarely solved but UW-Madison campus police are trying a new deterrent

08/06/2008 | The Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin)

University of Wisconsin-Madison police are taking extra steps to keep bikes safe from thieves. Under the new "Bait Bike" program, the police have equipped decoy bikes with GPS devices around campus. When the bike is stolen, police follow the GPS signal and try to catch the thief. Typically, bicycle thefts rarely lead to recoveries or arrests. However, under the new program, 18 people have taken the bait since May, leading to 18 recoveries and 16 arrests.

Corrections, Probation, and Parole
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Prisons enlist dogs to keep out phones; canines part of effort to keep contraband out of state facilities

07/10/2008 | The Baltimore Sun

Maryland prison officials are using specially trained dogs to sniff out illicit cell phones in the possession of inmates. Cell phones are often smuggled into prisons by visitors, volunteers, and even staff. It is known that some inmates use cell phones to arrange drug deals or even killings. While several states have begun using canine units for phone confiscations, Maryland's corrections department is the only one to have dogs specifically trained for this task.

Poverty Alleviation
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States adopt bold anti-poverty measures; At least 15 states have declared war on poverty, launching broad, high-profile campaigns aimed at rooting out the causes of poverty and alleviating its effects on children

08/07/2008 | Stateline.org

As tough economic times are pushing more people into poverty, state governments are ramping up efforts to tackle this issue among their citizenry with comprehensive campaigns. States have created bipartisan commissions to eliminate the traditional barriers that keep the poor from escaping chronic poverty. Others are setting specific poverty reduction goals, focusing on child poverty and extreme poverty. Poverty advocates are hailing the increased engagement of the states.

Organizational Management
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U.S. cities try 4-day workweek to save energy

07/31/2008 | Voice of America News

US state and local governments are considering the switch to four-day workweeks to save money and energy. Utah became the first state to shut down most services on Fridays. Washington is considering a similar proposal from state employees. Other programs do not reduce the hours of operation, but have staff working staggered schedules to save money, energy, and resources. Several states—including Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, and New Mexico—are considering legislation to move government workers to a four-day workweek.

Preschool Education
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Early education bill a milestone for state

08/03/2008 | The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts)

Massachusetts' Governor Deval Patrick has signed a law that will make quality preschool available to all children in the commonwealth. The legislation acknowledges the need to ensure that education starts early for future workers in an increasingly competitive, knowledge-based economy. The law formally establishes the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program, which will build on projects already underway at the Department of Early Education and Care, and whose goal will be to provide voluntary and universally accessible education and care for preschool-aged children.

Preschool Education
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Parent Aware rating system evaluates, improves Twin Cities child care programs

08/06/2008 | St. Paul Pioneer Press (Minnesota)

Minnesota has launched Parent Aware, a pilot project that rates participating childcare centers, preschools, and home sites. Staff training, teaching materials, parent involvement, and child progress are used as measures. Parents can search for the ratings online or by calling a hotline. Parent Aware is a collaboration between the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation, the state Department of Human Services, and the Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network. So far, over 250 providers have signed up with the system.

E-government
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EPA announces web-based system for companies to self-disclose environmental violations

08/07/2008 | States News Service

The US Environmental Protection Agency has embarked upon a pilot program to allow some regulated facilities in some states to voluntarily disclose their environmental violations online. While businesses normally receive incentives from the EPA when they disclose, correct, and prevent violations, eDisclosure will help businesses comply with the policy more efficiently by reducing their transaction costs. If successful, the EPA will consider expanding eDisclosure to other states.

Technology
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Scientists move closer toward invisibility cloak

08/12/2008 | Newsday (New York)

Scientists state that they have inched closer to developing materials that will render people and objects invisible. With funding from the US Army Research Office and the National Science Foundation's Nano-Scale Science and Engineering Center, researchers say they can redirect light around three-dimensional objects using artificial materials created at a nanoscale and that contain optical properties not found in nature. The technology could have major implications for pilots, surgeons, the military, and others.

Traffic Control
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More towns, cities letting golf carts putter around

08/10/2008 | Richmond Times Dispatch (Virginia)

Dozens of municipal governments are permitting golf carts and other small vehicles to travel on some public roads and state highways. While safety remains a concern, electric and solar powered carts can be restricted to city streets with low speed limits. Proponents also argue that the rising cost of gas, increasing air quality concerns, and a rise in general traffic congestion, the use of these ecofriendly and space-efficient vehicles should be expanded further.

Traffic Control
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Bicycle czar will try to tame city streets; Mayor creates post to improve cycling

08/12/2008 | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania)

Pittsburgh has become the first city in Pennsylvania to create a new bike-pedestrian coordinator position to help those pedaling or walking the city's neighborhoods. In addition, the city will track bicycle- and pedestrian-related car accidents; sensitize police to cyclists' rights; examine the implementation of tax credits and zoning preferences for businesses that accommodate cyclists; and strengthen general bicycle route infrastructure, such as signage, trail development, and bike racks.

Interview with Tony Saich on China
Tony SaichTony Saich, a renowned China expert and the new director of the Ash Institute, provides perspective on the 2008 Olympic Games and China's future.
2009 Innovations Awards: Call for Applications
Innovations in American GovernmentHarvard University invites you to apply for the $100,000 Innovations in American Government Award, given annually to programs that serve as the best examples of creative and effective government. Applications for the 2009 awards are due by September 30, 2008.
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