Symposium preview: Helping state/local governments get most from tax dollars

Symposium preview: Helping state/local governments get most from tax dollars

At our Fall Policy Symposium next week, Rep. Toby Barker of Mississippi and representatives from the Pew Charitable Trusts will discuss the Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative, which works with state and local governments to better identify and fund effective programs that yield high returns on investments.

The Results First Initiative uses a four-step approach in which policymakers create an inventory of currently funded programs; review which programs work; conduct benefit-cost analysis to compare programs’ likely return on investment; and use evidence to inform spending and policy decisions.

As chair of the Mississippi House Performance Based Budgeting Committee, Rep. Barker used the Results First Initiative to help evaluate his state’s corrections system.

“Having data to accurately predict what we can get out of our finite resources makes a tremendous difference,” Barker said, calling the Results First approach “a real game changer” for policymakers.  (Watch a video about Mississippi’s Results First experience.)

Some seats still remain for our Fall Policy Symposium so register today to learn more about the Results First Initiative and other important policy issues that face our state!