Product Description

"A how-to manual for a local or state government that wants to redesign its budget to emphasize and maximize results" (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Already adopted by city governments across the country, this long-awaited paperback edition puts David Osborne and Peter Hutchinson's renowned guide into the hands of all state and local governments facing fiscal crisis. In a time when cities, counties, and school districts are laying off policemen and teachers, closing schools, and cutting services, government leaders are increasingly desperate for solutions. The Price of Government is a clear, step-by-step roadmap for change, offering concrete strategies drawn from the authors' combined thirty years of experience leading and advising public institutions. Their ideas offer a new way to look at government spending-and a new way to think about how government should work.

"David Osborne has been preaching the reinvention of government since the mid-1980s, peddling practical, road-tested ideas for delivering value for the tax dollar. Now, with Peter Hutchinson, a former state finance commissioner, he's done it again with The Price of Government." (Washington Post)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #158398 in Books
• Published on: 2006-02-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780465053643
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Booklist
The current budget deficit reflects a permanent fiscal crisis that requires profound changes in the way government functions, according to Osborne and Hutchinson in this follow-up to Reinventing Government (1992). A fiscal crisis is looming at a time of rising demand for public school funding, internal security, and health insurance. With the government at a standstill and using accounting gimmicks to avoid making real decisions, the authors offer sound advice: reverse the budget process so it starts with "results we demand and the price we are willing to pay"; cut government through strategic reviews; increase accountability; and use technology. Citing their own experiences (Hutchinson as former Minnesota commissioner of finance, Osborne from work with former vice-president Gore on the National Performance Review) and examples of initiatives from hundreds of localities, the authors look at what works and what doesn't and how government at all levels can make changes to increase the effectiveness of its programs, reduce costs, and deliver services. This is a highly accessible look at government and finance for readers of all political perspectives. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
"A how-to manual for a local or state government that wants to redesign its budget to emphasize and maximize results." -- Minneapolis Star-Tribune

From the Back Cover
"If you care about the future of American government, read this book. Under America's current economic plan, fiscal crisis is here to stay, and there is only one way out: We must fundamentally reinvent the way we spend the public's money. Like Reinventing Government before it, this book shows us the way." -Al Gore, Former Vice President of the United States

"When I was Mayor of New York City, Reinventing Government was required reading for my staff. This new book should be required reading for those who serve the public in cities and states across America-and in Washington. Public servants should always remember that the money they're spending is not their own. Osborne and Hutchinson teach how to wring value out of every tax dollar, with a revolutionary approach to budgeting and a relentless focus on accountability and results." -Rudolph W. Giuliani, Former Mayor of New York City

"As this book says, 'We are waist deep in the worst fiscal crisis since World War II.' Most politicians are so afraid of this mess that they hide behind slogans, gimmicks and blame to divert attention. Citizens want better. This book shows them how to get it." -Jesse Ventura, Former Governor of Minnesota

"Houdini would love this book! Most analysts believe that American government is increasingly trapped between escalating costs and lower tax rates-a condition that promises frustration and hardship for decades to come. But now along come management guru David Osborne and his colleague Peter Hutchinson with ways out of the maze. Drawing upon the stories of innovators across the country, they offer hope that we can indeed learn to do more with less." -David Gergen, Director, Center for Public Leadership, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

"Mayor Hahn's use of Osborne and Hutchinson's budget process in Los Angeles really got the City's bureaucracy focused on outcomes and results in record time. It's a powerful tool that has changed the dull and dreaded budget process into one filled with creativity and innovation." -Morley Winograd, Marshall School of Business, U.S.C

Customer Reviews

A blueprint for better government
This book is about our future--the one we can have if we choose the difficult path of dramatic change. The authors present a convincing argument that we don't have to choose between higher taxes or service cuts. There are great opportunities for getting more from government services with the taxes we are willing to pay. The authors lay out a blueprint for pursuing those opportunities starting by radically changing the way governments do budgeting. The success stories are compelling. This is stimulating reading to anyone interested in getting better results for the dollar. I loved the chapter on politics and the argument for leading from the radical center.

Interesting concept- Too bad it does not work
I enjoyed reading this book even though it is very very repetitive. I thought the book contained some great data on the price of government. It also had good analysis and explanations on why the price of government varies between states. The analysis on why government is in the fix it is quite good. The book is weak on the solution part. Their concept has never been successfully implemented. Those with budgeting experience will understand why once they read the book. For managers on a local level the book does really appreciate the effect state and federal mandates have on government operations.

The book was successful in provoking some thought about basic budgeting assumptions. The book is a worthwhile read provided you don't expect it to offer a workable process to solve budget problems.

Highly Valuable, Depth, Practical
There is no question today that governments-at all levels-are in dire fiscal straits. Years of political maneuvering, wasteful spending, mismanagement, and an economic roller-coaster have taken their toll. While wonderful innovation has been seen in a number of government agencies at the federal, state, and local level, most have a very long way to go. The resistance to change must be overcome if we are to avoid widespread bankruptcy of the very organizations that we, as taxpayers and citizens, rely on for shared services and support. Change is a community effort, not just something to be delegated to a few elected or appointed officials. But the work to be done is akin to hugging a hippopotamus...especially if the animal doesn't want to be hugged!

The authors are consultants-which could be considered good news or bad news. In this case, it's good news. They are founder and senior partner of Public Strategies Group, a firm specializing in the field of improving government. Osborne is author of the best-seller, "Reinventing Government." These authors have the credentials that cry out how valuable their book might be.

The five sections of the book organize their huge volume of information, commentary, and advice: Smarter Budgeting, Smarter Sizing, Smarter Spending, Smarter Management, and Smarter Leadership. Through fifteen chapters the authors describe what's been happening, the impact, what changes could-or should-be made, and what benefits will result. There are no illustrations in this book-a few charts; it's straight text in page after intriguing page. Tremendous content that can be absorbed in a straight-through read or studied in a reference book fashion.

Community leaders will find an incredible amount of material to work with in these pages. The question is how many communities will have sufficiently strong and committed leadership-political and apolitical-to overcome the resistance of tradition and self-serving turf protection in order to bring about critically needed change. If you can build the community resources to make the needed improvements, this book will be a real treasure for exploring opportunities and finding wise solutions.