Eating Policy

State Capacity Roundup

A gimmick, one neat trick, what really pushes public servants over the edge, a long overdue confrontation, and more

Mar 6 • Jennifer Pahlka

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February 2026

January 2026

The Paperwork Reduction Act Doesn’t Reduce Paperwork

You know what they say about good intentions?

Published on Factory Settings • Jan 14

November 2025

Outcomes Review: Realigning Legislative Incentives

How might a state legislature shift from outputs to outcomes?

Nov 20, 2025 • Jennifer Pahlka

89

15

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Robert Moses's unfinished business should be Mamdani's priority

The mayor-elect has 25,000 job applicants in 24 hours and a civil service system designed to keep him from hiring any of them

Nov 12, 2025 • Jennifer Pahlka

117

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From the Archives: Stop making people do the wrong jobs

Public servants are largely doing a great job — at the wrong jobs. A bolder agenda for workforce planning.

Nov 10, 2025 • Jennifer Pahlka

47

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7

October 2025

Announcing the Recoding America Fund

A bipartisan reckoning with the administrative state

Oct 22, 2025 • Jennifer Pahlka

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28

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September 2025

GAO gets schooled by the Department of Education

The FAFSA team snaps back, then punches back

Sep 12, 2025 • Jennifer Pahlka

117

28

19

August 2025

Better Politicians

Weeding is Fundamental

Aug 20, 2025 • Jennifer Pahlka

162

32

28

Channel your inner Marie Kondo

The life-changing art of identifying and eliminating policy clutter

Aug 11, 2025 • Jennifer Pahlka

60

10

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Grasping at (Paper) Straws

You can have government efficiency or wage the culture war, but not both at once

Aug 1, 2025 • Gabe Menchaca

56

6

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June 2025

What DOGE didn't do

Sustainable change comes from changing rules and procedures, not just ignoring them

Jun 4, 2025 • Jennifer Pahlka

126

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