The Price of Government: Getting the Results We Need in an Age of Permanent Fiscal Crisis - Softcover

Osborne, David; Hutchinson, Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0465053645 ISBN 13: 9780465053643

Publisher: Basic Books, 2006

Synopsis

Government is broke. The 2004 federal deficit is the highest in U.S. history. The states have suffered three years of record shortfalls. Cities, counties, and school districts are laying off policemen and teachers, closing schools, and cutting services. But the fiscal pain won't go away, and the bankrupt ideologies of left and right offer little guidance.The Price of Government presents a radically different approach to budgeting—one that focuses on buying results for citizens rather than cutting or adding to last year's spending programs. It advocates consolidation, competition, customer choice, and a relentless focus on results to save millions while improving public services.

About this title

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

About the Author:

David Osborne, author of Laboratories of Democracy, is a frequent contributor to the Washington Post, Governing, and other publications. He is also a consultant to state and local governments.

 Peter Hutchinson is founder and President of The Public Strategies Group. He previously served as Commissioner of Finance in Minnesota, where he introduced several innovations in state budgeting and fiscal management. He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.

About this edition

• Publisher: Basic Books
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0465053645
• ISBN 13: 9780465053643
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384