Thriving in the New Normal: An Update to the 2010 Innovation and Redesign Guide

The local government innovation guide the League worked on with the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and others in 2010 has been updated with new examples of innovation from around the state.

As 2013 begins, local government officials have been navigating in the new normal for several years. While still faced with budget cuts and increased demand for services, cities, counties, and schools throughout Minnesota have refused to let the traditional approach of tax increases and service cuts be their only response to budget shortfalls. They've instead chosen a path of innovation and service redesign.

Navigating the New Normal, written by Jay Kiedrowski of the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs and Public and Nonprofit Leadership Center and funded by the McKnight Foundation, was first written in 2010 to help officials navigate this path of innovation and service redesign. With the new update of the guide, nearly 150 examples of local innovation and redesign are now included.

The work of redesigning government is never easy, and Navigating the New Normal therefore includes information about proven and successful strategies targeted at the various individuals that will need to play a role in innovation efforts.

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