Expanding opportunity at state & local levels through evidence-based policymaking

State and local policy decisions are vitally important to the national economy. On matters ranging from transportation infrastructure to land-use regulation, getting policies right at the state and local levels is a prerequisite for broadly shared economic growth. Unfortunately, the resources needed for effective fact-based scrutiny of these policies are often lacking in city and state governments—which can create impediments to economic growth and opportunity. Identifying options for increasing evidence-based policymaking in states and municipalities can play a critical role in expanding economic growth.

On January 31, The Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution hosted a forum exploring how to improve public policy outcomes at the state level. The forum featured introductory remarks by former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin and a fireside chat between John W. Hickenlooper, former Governor of Colorado, and Sudeep Reddy, managing editor for POLITICO.

The forum also included two panel discussions, featuring: Michael Nutter, former mayor of Philadelphia and David N. Dinkins professor of professional practice in urban and public affairs, Columbia School of International and Public Affairs; Jason Furman, professor of practice, Harvard Kennedy School; Jeffrey Liebman, director, Government Performance Lab, professor of public policy, Harvard Kennedy School; and Monica Tibbits-Nutt, executive director, 128 Business Council.

The event coincided with the release of three new Hamilton Project papers that examine policy options to make better use of data when evaluating and implementing state policies; shape housing policy to improve access to high productivity jobs; and strengthen transportation policy to improve economic opportunity.

For updates on the event, follow @HamiltonProj, and join the conversation using #FactBasedPolicy.