Feds Can Learn Lessons From States About Using Data To Inform Policy

Opinion By: Ingrid Schroeder Read time:
Projects: Fiscal Federalism & Results First
Feds Can Learn Lessons From States About Using Data To Inform Policy

"Without evidence, the federal government is an ineffective fiduciary on behalf of the taxpayer." That's the conclusion of a congressional report accompanying legislation, co-written by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), that establishes a federal Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission. The legislation, which received bipartisan support, was enacted in March.

The report also notes, "in many instances, federal decision-makers do not have access to the data necessary to best inform decisions."

Many states, however, have developed innovative approaches for using data to inform policy, approaches that federal decision-makers can learn from and emulate. The members of the new commission — tasked with studying how the use of data can be improved — should consider these successful and established state practices.

Ingrid Schroeder directs the Pew Charitable Trusts' fiscal federalism initiatives.

Read the full article at TheHill.com.

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