US State Government Transitions

Permitting has become one of the highest priorities and most urgent challenges for state and local governments.

Permitting is central to development and affordability. Two city leaders from Austin, Texas, discuss the steps they took to improve performance and transparency across the site plan review process.

America’s history of reinvention holds compelling lessons as the nation confronts a future of immense if uncertain opportunity

State and local governments in the United States often face a host of funding and workforce challenges, but taking six actions can boost operating performance.

Across state and local governments, legacy technology systems have long been the backbone of mission-critical operations.

Sovereign AI is achievable only through an ecosystem effort that connects energy, compute, data, models, platforms, and applications across multiple actors.

State governments will need to balance a complex range of costs and a full view of the benefits as they weigh their strategies in data center development.

States could have much to gain from using generative AI tools in their operations. A low-risk strategy may be to test some applications while preparing a longer-term implementation plan.

Government consolidations are far less common than private sector ones. However, when government M&A occurs, five principles can guide the process and facilitate smooth transitions.

By partnering with their procurement teams, state and local government leaders can improve procurement efficiency using proven practices and leading-edge AI.

Governments can employ seven levers to improve productivity throughout their operations.

Digital self-service and better access to information top the list of what the public most wants to see from government. Our benchmark research indicates steps that agencies can take to deliver.

Child welfare in America is at an inflection point.

Changes to SNAP funding policy tighten the link between state cost share and payment accuracy. With targeted operational improvements, states can reduce payment errors, building sustainable programs for the millions who rely on them.

The newly introduced federal Medicaid H.R. 1 work requirements, also called community engagement (CE) requirements, will bring significant changes to how states verify eligibility for Medicaid applicants and recipients in the years ahead.

The United States’ historic $50 billion Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program has officially closed applications, with all 50 states submitting proposals for this investment opportunity to reimagine rural healthcare. State leaders can use this moment to rethink how rural communities are served, from redesigning care delivery models to reinvesting in critical workforce and infrastructure.

Two new surveys suggest 12 solutions for public service organizations looking to attract and retain the next generation of workers.

In a disrupted world, public sector leadership is getting harder. New McKinsey research shows how excellent leaders are rising to the challenge: They make purpose their engine and character their compass.

Vast demographic changes are transforming the world and profoundly affecting how the public sector manages talent. Six priorities can help leaders shape a robust talent framework for the future.

These talent hubs can expedite and streamline government hiring processes—and they can also close critical labor gaps.