CitiStats

It is blogged by the City Manager here and by Dick Howe here (nicer presentation of the slides).

To cut to the chase, in much of social science, including government, we lack the real data needed to make informed decisions.  But, we have to make decisions anyway, and often it is based upon our prejudices.  Getting more and better data is key to making better decisions and thus having more effective Government.  And maybe overcoming prejudices that misinform decisions.

Whether we cut taxes or redirect current revenues is a totally different issue.

My concern about CitiStat is that we will need someone with some initiative and intuition working the CitiStat program.  And, it will need to extend to cover all of City Government, including our schools.

That said, I support this initiative.

Regards  —  Cliff