Dr. Thom Reilly is currently a professor in the School of Public Affairs and Co-Director, Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy at Arizona State University (ASU).
He is the former Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) where he served as chief executive officer and oversaw, under the authority of an elected board of regents, a complex system that included R-1 research universities, four-year undergraduate institutions, a research institute, and community colleges. During his tenure, he accumulated an impressive record on multiple measurable dimensions of success centered on increased accessibility, student success and expanded workforce training and education.
Prior to his appointment, he served as director of the Morrison Institute for Public Policy at Arizona State University where he also was a professor in the School of Public Affairs.
He previously served as County Manager for Clark County (the Las Vegas Valley), where he provided both regional and municipal-type services. As CEO, he was responsible for the fiscal management of the County's $5.8 billion budget and administrative oversight of close to 12,000 employees. During his tenure he was known for innovative governance practices including instituting increased transparency in the budgeting process, creating a host of citizen involvement/engagement activities; establishing a pay-for performance compensation system for employees; and championing regional governance efforts.
Reilly has extensive experience in the private sector, serving as managing principal of The Reilly Group, a management consulting firm and as Executive Director for the Caesars Foundation. He has also held senior administrative positions with the State of Nevada overseeing the statewide child welfare system.
Reilly has authored numerous published works on public pay and benefits, governance, the independent voter, and child welfare. He and his work have appeared on NPR's "Here and Now," PBS NewsHour, CNN Money, ABC World News, “This Week with George Stephanopoulos”, Fox Business News, and in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Forbes, The Hill, The Guardian, Law 360, Governing, Businessweek, The Fulcrum, The Associated Press, The Conversation, and The Washington Post.
In 2012, his first book, Rethinking Public Sector Compensation: What Ever Happened To The Public Interest? was by published by M.E. Sharpe Publishing, Inc. / Taylor & Francis Group. In 2016, Lexington Books: An Imprint of The Rowan Littlefield Group published his second book, The Failure of Governance in Bell, California: Big Time Corruption in a Small Town. The Independent Voter (forthcoming September 2022) with co-authors Omar Ali & Jackie Salit is being published by Routledge Press (Francis & Taylor Group).
Reilly currently is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, professor emeritus at San Diego State University; is on the Editorial Board for the academic journal Public Personnel Management; serves on the Board of Directors for Global Outreach Doctors, an international NGO; and with his partner Jim Moore, has served as host parents for the international high school exchange program, AFS since 2005.
He received his master's and doctorate of public administration from the University of Southern California. He earned his master of social work at ASU and a bachelor in social work from the University of Memphis.
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Drawing on historical and contemporary data (including survey data, participant observation, interviews, and current writings and scholarship), and providing timely new analysis, the authors argue that independent voters are an engine for a transformation of US democracy, perhaps even its saviors. For a wide variety of audiences, this book gives students, scholars, campaign professionals, activists, and media analysts insight into current voting dynamics and future possibilities.
Thom Reilly is a professor in the School of Public Affairs and co-director for the Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy at Arizona State University.
Jacqueline S. Salit is President of Independent Voting and co-director for the Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy at Arizona State University.
Omar H. Ali is Dean of Lloyd International Honors College and a professor of African American political history at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
"The Independent Voter does a fantastic job chronicling the
rise, and power, of the fastest-growing segment of the
electorate in the United States. It is clear that more and more
Americans are tired of partisan gridlock and want their leaders
to be public servants, not party servants. Republicans and
Democratic leaders should take note and anyone interested in the
future of American Democracy should read this book."
--Arnold Schwarzenegger
“This book's exploration of [independent voters] is important
and honest. The major media organizations try to marginalize
this group as being secretly partisan, or not holding any
consistent beliefs. These organizations are trying to
marginalize Independent voters because they know that we're
actually the majority, and if we band together, we can take this
country back from the extreme partisans they represent.”
--Andrew Yang, from the Foreword
“This work seeks to prove that independent voters do indeed
exist and are a powerful force. Anyone interested in the
possibility of reimagining our two-party system should read this
book.”
--Cathy J. Cohen, Distinguished Professor of
Political Science, University of Chicago
“If you are interested in America's independent voters, you must
read this book. It analyzes who independent voters are and makes
a strong argument about how those not registered with a
political party face ballot access challenges in states across
the country. This book provocatively grapples with who
independent voters are and why they matter.”
--Christian Grose, Professor of Political
Science, University of Southern California
“Reilly, Salit, and Ali paint a picture of an emergence, a
political sensibility that goes back to the founding of the
country and looks forward. It's a book about possibility: how
ordinary Americans are refusing to play by the partisan rules.
Read this book if you want to be inspired!”
--John Opdycke, President, Open Primaries
To many citizens, their local government is the most tangible form of government, and it is also the layer of government with which they have most contact in their everyday life. The power of local administration is that it represents ordinary citizens. People eat, drink, work, play and socialize with others in towns and cities. To be fully effective, local government management and service delivery capacity need to be strong, and resources need to be adequate. Civil society and businesses are essential actors in ensuring local governments have this capacity to meet the needs of its citizens.
There are a host of challenges that confront local government in the 21st century: delivering quality services; lack of finance and local fiscal autonomy; engaging citizens and communities in meaningful and authentic ways; forming effective partnerships which incentivize local actors to find solutions to the many complex and intractable issues facing communities; generating inclusive and sustainable development; implementing strategies for disaster risk reduction; managing transparent communications; and, rapidly evolving technologies and socio-economic demographics.
The Governance of Local Communities: Global Perspectives and Challenges is about the role that ideas, institutions, and actors play in structuring how people govern local communities and, more specifically, the types of adaptations necessary in local government roles and responsibilities, structures, and processes to effectively respond to a changing local government environment.
Global changes require that we rethink local governance. A wide net of international experts on local governance was assembled for this volume to stimulate frank conversations around the many contemporary challenges facing local government.
In the late 2000s, the small Southern California town of Bell erupted in a scandal that revealed a truly astonishing level of municipal corruption— described by Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley as “corruption on steroids.” This book details how Bell was rendered vulnerable to such massive malfeasance by a disengaged public, lack of established ethical norms, absence of effective checks and balances, and minimal coverage by an overextended area news media. It is a grim and nearly unbelievable story. By considering factors arising from both theory and practice, Reilly makes clear why the sad saga of Bell, California, represents both a case study and a warning.
"How could this have happened?" The question still lingers among officials and residents of the small southern California town of Bell. Corruption is hardly an isolated challenge to the governance of America’s cities. But following decades of benign obscurity, Bell witnessed the emergence of a truly astonishing level of public wrongdoing – a level succinctly described by Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley as “corruption on steroids.”
Even discounting the enormous sums involved – the top administrator paid himself nearly $800,000 a year in a town with a $35,000 average income – this was no ordinary failure of governance. The picture that emerges from years of federal, state and local investigations, trials, depositions and media accounts is of an elaborate culture of corruption and deceit created and sustained by top city administrators, councilmembers, police officers, numerous municipal employees and consultants.
The Failure of Governance in Bell California: Big-Time Corruption in a Small Town details how Bell was rendered vulnerable to such massive malfeasance by a poorly educated and disengaged public, lack of established ethical norms, absence of effective checks and balances, and minimal coverage by an overextended area news media. It is a grim and nearly unbelievable story.
Yet even these factors fail to fully explain how such large-scale corruption could have arisen. More specifically, how did it occur within a structure – the council-manager form of government – that had been deliberately designed to promote good governance? Why were so many officials and employees prepared to participate in or overlook the ongoing corruption? To what degree can theories of governance, such as contagion theory or the “rover bandit” theme, explain the success of such blatant wrongdoing?
The Failure of Governance, by Arizona State University Professor Thom Reilly – himself former manager of Clark County, Nevada – pursues answers to these and related questions through an analysis of municipal operations that will afford the reader deeper insight into the inner workings of city governments – corrupt and otherwise. By considering factors arising from both theory and practice, Reilly makes clear, in other words, why the sad saga of Bell, California represents both a case study and a warning.
"Using this book, practitioners will be challenged and prompted to consider several critical questions, including: How can public trust be regained? and How can public engagement be spurred and sustained?"
"This book replete with scandalous details, as well as insightful interpretations and suggestions for reform..."
"Thom Reilly provides an in-depth analysis of the sordid details and broad schemes of this massive corruption."
"Virtually every page prompts substantive discussion topics for the reader. This is a must-read not only for students of government, administration and public policy, but for every concerned citizen."
"Public administration practitioners, teachers, and researchers
are truly the beneficiaries of this work. This book provides a
roadmap with mile markers that are a public sector ethical lens
through which to view the requisite conditions that enable
massive public corruption. Using this book, practitioners will
be challenged and prompted to consider several critical
questions, including: How can public trust be regained? and How
can public engagement be spurred and sustained?"
Read full review
Corruption is widespread in American local government, producing
more than 1,000 indictments annually. Reilly (Arizona State
Univ.) chronicles such a case in Bell, CA (population 35,000), a
low-income community in which seven public officials were
eventually sentenced to prison. In 2010, two reporters with the
Los Angeles Times uncovered excessively high salaries and a
cluster of crimes in city hall. Trials soon followed, and by
2012, new officials were seated and order restored to Bell. The
most prominent offender was Robert Rizzo, city administrator for
17 years, who built alliances with other council members and
administrators to cover their misdeeds. Several factors
contributed to this misconduct: unethical leadership by
officials, lack of media coverage of city affairs, a breakdown
in the checks and balances normally built into local governance,
a culture of corruption that residents tolerated or were unaware
of, and lack of attention by county and state authorities. This
is a well-documented analysis of conditions that could exist in
many governments and provides a warning to all citizens.
Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division
undergraduates through professionals.
“Reilly’s excellent account of corruption in local government is written with the expertise of a scholar who is uent in theory and the acumen of a practitioner who has witnessed such behavior up close and personal. This book replete with scandalous details, as well as insightful interpretations and suggestions for reform, will have broad appeal with the general public, for local administrators and in the classroom.”
“Far beyond wildly unimaginable ction, this reality-based book is an importantly great read on public affairs. It tells the story of a decade of Big Time Corruption in Bell, California – years of self-serving exercise of power shared among of cials in deliberately agrant violation of legal standards and other fundamentals of public service. Beyond that, Bell is also a sad case of sustained failure of professional, civic, legal, academic, and other institutions upon which society depends for responsible public affairs. As a former professional manager of Clark County (Las Vegas), Nevada, and now a leading public-policy academician, Thom Reilly provides an in-depth analysis of the sordid details and broad schemes of this massive corruption. His deeply informed analysis of The Failure of Governance in Bell, California, warrants study by civic leaders, political of cials, professional local-government managers, and students who hope to enter these public-service roles. It provides swift and hopefully lasting learning about abhorrent practices of all-too-easy corruption, thereby elevating understanding of necessities of elevated aspirations and practices of responsible government and other public affairs.”
“Thom Reilly depicts the almost unbelievable levels of greed and corruption that brought an entire municipal government to its knees. His incisive narrative not only carefully details the many enabling conditions that allowed this brazen looting of a small, vulnerable community to occur, but also skillfully incorporates an analysis of cultural norms and governmental structures that historically have been designed to deter corruption. Virtually every page prompts substantive discussion topics for the reader. This is a must-read not only for students of government, administration and public policy, but for every concerned citizen. The account of the systematic and unchallenged dismantling of checks and balances and external safeguards against graft serves as a cautionary tale to anyone who thinks it couldn’t happen in their community.”
The ongoing global financial crisis, coupled with the continued dramatic increases in life expectancy, have escalated the concerns countries have regarding the sustainability of their pension systems and how these retirement schemes will be financed. From 1998 to 2008, close to 30 countries embarked on privatizing reforms to their pension programs. Some of these countries introduced new pension reforms directed at private individual accounts while reducing the size of the state social security system. The focus of other reforms during this period varied but was primarily aimed at strengthening basic protection for economically at-risk older individuals, increasing benefit coverage and/or improving the overall fiscal sustainability of these systems. However, the move towards greater coverage and sustainability was interrupted by the worldwide financial meltdown. This has led to a reassessment of pension systems and reform approaches. This volume was assembled to review the status of pension reforms globally and to gain a glimpse of the trends emerging as countries adjust to the new age of macroeconomic worldwide uncertainty. The chapters in this volume provide concise, clear and dispassionate discussions on these trends and reforms as well as frank appraisals of the consequences of alternative policies. Experts from Europe, the United States and the emerging economies of Brazil, China and India approach pension reform and reassessment from different perspectives; however, each provide forthright analyses and assessment of the consequences of the “new normal”.
Designed as a comprehensive overview of public sector compensation, the book addresses strategies for change, with the author warning that failure of the profession to address this issue will ultimately lead to citizens taking matters in their own hands. The author's issues-oriented approach addresses his core message-that the escalation of public sector compensation is impacting the ability of government to meet its core responsibility and the failure of government to address this has serious consequences. Not just a critique, the book presents context, analysis, and suggestions for reform.
In his book, Reilly states that the current system is unsustainable and reform must include more transparency, education and engagement of the public as well as:
In addition to suggested reform, Reilly offers two unique and valuable features in his the book including a detailed model of public-versus-private sector compensation, constructed to gauge the cost of lifetime compensation, and his model of the "Iron Triangle" to illustrate how elected politicians, management and labor representatives engage in nontransparent discussions involving public pay and benefits.
""This provocative analysis documents mutation away from ideals of governmental service devoted to public interests into a political culture of public employment in principal pursuit of self interests. It shows in detail how personal entitlements of many public officials and employees have been greatly expanded in high disregard of future sustainability."
"Key policy makers and individuals would be remiss not to include a detailed review of the public sector in the Nation’s debate about compensation and the financial crisis. Thom Reilly’s thoughtful analysis of the shift in culture and compensation in the public sector reveals nuances that only a long-standing, executive-level civil servant could provide. This informed perspective, coupled with insightful and balanced analysis, provides a uniquely comprehensive look at one of the most critical issues of our day. Rethinking Public –Sector Compensation: What Ever Happened to the Public Interest’ should be required reading for policy-makers, students and individuals who desire clear information from which to guide opinions, legislative and regulatory changes."
"In 2007, the stock market started a slow decline and reached a floor early in 2009 before it began to reverse itself. This negative cycle had catastrophic effects on housing markets, employment, and every other economic engine that churned capitalism around the world. As a result, public sector compensation in the United States became an increasingly important topic as state and local governments sorted through budget austerity. In short, this book examines how public sector employees (primarily state and local) are compensated, rewarded, and managed." Read Full Review.
"This provocative analysis documents mutation away from ideals of governmental service devoted to public interests into a political culture of public employment in principal pursuit of self interests. It shows in detail how personal entitlements of many public officials and employees have been greatly expanded in high disregard of future sustainability."
"Key policy makers and individuals would be remiss not to include a detailed review of the public sector in the Nation’s debate about compensation and the financial crisis. Thom Reilly’s thoughtful analysis of the shift in culture and compensation in the public sector reveals nuances that only a long-standing, executive-level civil servant could provide. This informed perspective, coupled with insightful and balanced analysis, provides a uniquely comprehensive look at one of the most critical issues of our day. Rethinking Public –Sector Compensation: What Ever Happened to the Public Interest’ should be required reading for policy-makers, students and individuals who desire clear information from which to guide opinions, legislative and regulatory changes."
"Public employee compensation is a hot topic. Taxpayers know intuitively that something’s not quite right. Yet it’s so complex, it can’t be spelled out in simple terms. Thom Reilly has managed to explain it, drawing on his varied career experience. He’s used his knowledge of the public and private sectors, and his nonprofit background, to turn out an objective discussion of the public employees, their unions, and the relationships elected officials have with both. Taxpayers, who pick up the tab for all of it, will appreciate this concise look at the politics and archaic policies that govern public employee compensation. The book is a must-read for elected officials, students of government, and anyone who pays taxes."
"Reilly offers a thoughtful breakdown of the intensely debated and complex issue of public sector compensation. He offers insightful analysis on policies that could help relieve the stranglehold that these types of financial obligations have placed on the ability of governments across the country to effectively serve the public interest. Reilly is uniquely qualified to offer a thorough perspective on public employee pension funds and compensation practices, the effect that funding these obligations are having on government, and policy changes that could work towards alleviating this burden. He offers practical and common sense solutions that are rightly centered on the public interest. This book is highly recommended to those concerned about the ability of government to deliver core public services."
Pezer, M., Stanić, B., & Reilly, T. (2024). The Adoption of Council-Manager Model of Governance in Croatia: An Exploratory Study. State and Local Government Review, 0(0).
Reilly, T.., Coordes, L., Reinisch, E. & Schlinkert, D. (2023). Uncovering Municipal Fiscal Distress in the United States. Public Finance & Management, 21 (2), pp.1-28. Politics & Policy. 00:1-22
Reilly, T., & Hunting, D. (2023). The Fluid Voter: Exploring Independent Voting Patterns Over Time. Politics & Policy. 00:1-22
Reilly, T. (2020) Sick Leave Policies in the Public Sector (2020), Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance.
Reilly, T. (2017) Are social enterprises viable models for funding nonprofits? Human Service Organizations: Management, Leadership & Governance. (2017)
Reilly, T. (2013). Comparing Public-Versus-Private Sector Pay and Benefits: Examining Lifetime Compensation. Public Personnel Management., 42(4), 521-544.
Reilly, T. (2012). Public Pensions and Retiree Health Care in Nevada: An Analysis. The Nevada Review Journal, (4) 2, 3-28.
Reilly, T., Woodruff, S., Smith, L., Clapp, J., and Cade, J. (2010). Unsafe Sex Among HIV- Positive Individuals: Cross-Sectional and Prospective Predictors. Journal of Community Health , 35 (2): 115-122.
Reilly, T. & Schlinkert, D. (2022). Transition from Foster Care: A cross sectional comparison of youth outcomes twenty years apart. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal.
Reilly, T. (2017). Corruption in public administration: an ethnographic approach. International Review of Public Administration
Reilly, T. (2013). Rethinking The Role of the Profession on Public Sector Compensation. Public Administration Review,(73) 1, 8-9.
Reilly, T., and Reed, M. (2011). Budget Shortfalls, Employee Compensation and Collective Bargaining in Local Governments. State and Local Government Review. 43 (3), 215- 223.
Reilly, T., Schoener, S. & Bolin, A. (2007). Public Sector Compensation in Local Governments: An Analysis. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 27 (1), 39 -58.
Reilly, T., Smith, L., Woodruff, S.I., Clapp, J.D., and Cade, J. (2010) Predictors of Death and Survival Duration among a Sample of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS. Social Work in Health Care, 49 (9), 783- 798.
Reilly, T. & Hedberg, E. (2022) Social Networks of Independents and Partisans: Are Independents a Moderating Force? Politics & Policy.
Reilly, T. & Platz, L. (2004). Post adoption service needs of families with special needs children: Use, helpfulness, and unmet needs. Journal of Social Service Research , 30 (4), 51-67.
Laura N. Coordes & Thom Reilly Predictors of Municipal Bankruptcies and State Intervention Programs: An Exploratory Study. (2017) Kentucky Law Journal, 105(3), 493-562
Reilly, T. & Thom, M. (2015). Local government sick-leave practices: An exploratory study. Review of Public Personnel Administration.
Thom, Michael & Reilly, Thom (2015). Compensation Benchmarking Practices in U.S. Local Governments: Results of a National Survey. Public Personnel Management, 44(3), 340-355.
Reilly, T. (2013). Reforming Public Pay and Benefits. State and Local Government Review, 45 (1), 57-64.
Biden and Trump go on the hunt for the independents
They identify as neither Republicans nor Democrats and
represent almost half of the electorate, a percentage that is
growing steadily; in the November elections, they will be more
crucial than ever...
Read more from elpais.com
2024 Election: Kyrsten Sinema to leave Senate
The Senator, who left the Democratic Party in 2022 to become
an independent, issued a statement and an accompanying video
message...
Read more from fox10phoenix.com
Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema won't seek reelection
After months of speculation, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema announced on
Super Tuesday that she will not seek a second term...
Read more from azfamily.com
Independent voters increasing in Arizona
The number of people registering as independent voters in
Arizona has kept increasing to the point where more Arizonans
registered as independents in the last six months than signed
up as Democrats or Republicans combined...
Read more from AZPBS.org
Independent voters now make up the largest voting bloc in
Arizona
NPR speaks with independents, who account for about a third of
voters in the swing state of Arizona, about the issues
motivating them ahead of the 2024 elections...
Read more from NPR.org
ASU study finds most voters want nonpartisan primaries
Arizona State University Professor Thom Reilly explains his
recent study that found 80% of Arizonans favor moving to a
nonpartisan primary system.
Watch interview on azfamily.com
U.S. elections official takes part in secretive GOP
conference, sparking backlash
A commissioner of a federal elections agency recently spoke at
a secretive conference of conservative voting activists and
Republican secretaries of state and congressional staff...
Read more from minnesotareformer.com
What Election Reforms do Arizonans Support?
New ASU poll sheds light...
Read more from azcentral.com
Laid off? Tips from experts on how to move forward
Here is experts' advice on navigating career choices and
mental health after a layoff...
Read more from azcentral.com
Arizona survey respondents want an open primary
system
A new Arizona State University (ASU) study found that more
than four in five respondents want the state to adopt an open
primary system...
Read more from AZPBS.org
Arizonans want to take politics out of voting, survey
show
ASU survey of 1,000 voters finds broad support for open
primaries, non-partisan election managers...
Watch video on YouTube
With... Sinema quitting, do independents anywhere have a
chance in politics?
Read full article
Episode 7: Professional wrestling and the rise of the
independent voter: Lessons from the American
Southwest
If Republican and Democrats were listed on the New York Stock
Exchange, I would sell right now. The two legacy parties are
tied at 27% in January polling. And dropping...
Listen to Episode 7 on lostmiddle.com
or
from Apple Podcast
As Kari Lake Enters Senate Race One Question Tops All
Others
Read more from azcentral.com
ASU event examines demographics, mindset of unaffiliated
voters
Extreme partisan politics and hostility is turning off many
American voters, who are increasingly disaffiliating
themselves from the two major political parties, according to
participants in a forum on Wednesday night...
Read more from ASU.edu
As Kari Lake enters Arizona's Senate race, one question
tops all others: Can she win?
Kari Lake's U.S. Senate candidacy brings fire and attention to
Republican efforts to retake the chamber. But will it help?...
Read more from azcentral.com
Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors
2020
Governors receiving an A are those who have cut taxes and
spending the most, whereas governors receiving an F have
raised taxes and spending the most...
Read more from cato.org
In battleground Arizona, independent voters decry
Trump
Mark Clarcq is an independent voter in the presidential
battleground state of Arizona. In 2016 he cast his ballot for
Donald Trump, but as the former Republican president appeared
at a Georgia jail on Thursday...
Read more from reuters.com
Open primaries proposal won't require ranked choice voting,
but opens the door
Ranked choice voting (RCV) could still come to Arizona, but a
ballot measure to overhaul primary elections won't explicitly
mandate it...
Read more from Axios.com
A Deep Dive Into Arizonan's Views of Elections ft. Thom
Reilly
In the new Center for Politics Crystal Ball ratings for the
2024 presidential election, Arizona is just one of four
initial toss-up states...
Listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts
ASU study finds some common ground on election
reforms
Arizona is ground zero for questions on election integrity and
reform...
Read more from ABC15.com
Include the Independent Voter: Jackie Salit & Thom
Reilly
“The power of Independents is the growing numbers that they
have.”...
Listen to podcast on Future Hindsight
Who Are the Independent Voters?
The number of independent voters continues to grow, and their
impact was felt in a massive way in Arizona--as what was
expected to be an extremely successful 2022 for the GOP didn't
turn out that way in statewide races...
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. holds campaign event in Phoenix as he
gathers signatures to appear on the Arizona ballot
According to Arizona Secretary of State data, more Arizonans
are registered as independents than Republicans or Democrats.
That's the block Kennedy wants...
Read more from 12news.com
Independent voters increasing in Arizona
The number of people registering as independent voters in
Arizona has kept increasing to the point where more Arizonans
registered as independents in the last six months than signed
up as Democrats or Republicans combined...
Read more from azpbs.org
ASU center to host 3-part election education series
The Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy at
Arizona State University will host a three-part election
education series that explores issues of elections, the
fundamental right to vote and election patterns...
Read more from ASU.edu
To Unions, Organizing Time Is Fine When It's on the
Taxpayers' Dime
Randi Weingarten, the powerful president of the American
Federation of Teachers, hasn’t been a working teacher in more
than a quarter of a century...
Read more from realclearinvestigations.com
Arizonans want changes to the way we choose election
officials, ASU survey says
Arizonans appear interested in changes to the way the state
chooses election officials, according to a new survey...
Read more from Fronteras
“Nonpartisan Election Administration Is the Norm in Other
Democracies. Why Not Here?”
Thom Reilly in Governing, on the ASU survey of Arizona voters'
attitudes about elections: “What we found was that Arizona
voters strongly supported...
Read more from Election Law Blog
What do most Arizona voters want? A different way to vote,
according to new ASU survey
Voters across the spectrum support open primaries, a new
survey finds. They also agree on removing politics from
election oversight...
Read more from 12news.com
ASU Report on Voter Attitudes about Elections
From the hotbed — no pun intended (sorry Arizonans, I know
it's been sweltering) — of election denialism comes this
report by Arizona State's Center for Independent and
Sustainable Democracy...
Read more from Election Law Blog
Former Chancellor Thom Reilly talks about how high school
students should prepare for college.
View on YouTube
How your secretary of state affects elections and why you
should care
A once under-the-radar governmental role with significant
control over elections is getting a lot more attention this
year...
Read more on PBS News Hour
Legislative inaction and dissatisfaction with one-party control lead to more issues going directly to voters in ballot initiatives, with 60% of them in six states
Recent polls show Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with their system of representative democracy, in which they choose candidates to represent their interests once in office...
Read article on theconversation.com
Nonpartisan Election Administration Is the Norm in Other
Democracies. Why Not Here?
As a new Arizona survey shows, voters want to take the
partisanship out of how top state and local election officials
are chosen. The system we use now erodes public trust...
Read article on Governing.com
Focus on Poverty
Comparing Outcomes 20 Years Apart: Transitioning Out of Foster
Care for Emerging Adults
Read full report
Independent voters can be decisive in elections - but
they're pretty unpredictable, not 'shadow partisans'
In the end there was no red wave. And there was no blue wave.
There was an independent wave...
Read more from TheConversation.com
Good faith and the honor of partisan election officials
used to be enough to ensure trust in voting results - but
not anymore
As the U.S. moves closer to the 2022 midterm elections, a
sizable number of Americans express a lack of confidence in
the accuracy of the vote count...
Read more from The Conversation
Four ways the Biden administration should reach out to
independents
So-called independent voters, or those who do not identify as
Republicans or Democrats, made up more than two-fifths of the
electorate as the new year began...
Read more from thefulcrum.com
The Murky World of ‘Official Time’ in Government
"Official time," or union business leave (UBL), is widely
practiced at all levels of government...
Read more from Governing.com
COMMENTARY: Collaboration key to attacking Southern
Nevada’s homeless issue
Problems of homelessness in the Las Vegas Valley and across
the nation remain huge and complex...
Read more from the LVRJ
Education partnership aims to improve college and career
readiness
It’s no secret that education in the state of Nevada is a hot
topic. Everyone – from teachers and administrators to parents
and students – agrees that education is foundational to our
state’s future success...
Read more from the Nevada Independent
Our Turn: Arizona's independents can bridge political
divide
Voters today are not so much shaped by news as the news is
shaped for them. In cafeteria-style format, we consume news
from a personalized menu that, in addition to informing us,
satisfies our appetite for reinforcing our individual beliefs.
Read more from azcentral.com
Court rulings show fate of state pensions likely in voters’
hands
Voters may be tasked with ultimately deciding the fate of
state pensions after the Arizona Supreme Court ruled for a
second time that provisions of a 2011 reform law passed by the
Legislature are unconstitutional.
Read more from azcapitoltimes.com
A Better Way to Set Public Pay
Too few local governments are taking advantage of a valuable
tool: benchmarking compensation among their public- and
private-sector peers...
Read more from governing.com
First step to fix pension woes: Proper accounting
Officials from Nevada’s Public Employees Retirement System
recently announced that the system saw a 12.4 percent increase
in value in the fiscal year that ended June 30, beating its 8
percent goal...
Read more from Las Vegas Sun
Nevada Taxpayers Association
My years in both state and local government have made me a
passionate non-partisan. I stand before you today believing
very strongly that the policies and financial issues
surrounding public pay and benefits are bipartisan issues and
the failure to make needed reforms will have a profound impact
on the ability of state and local government to function
effectively...
Read entire keynote
Students schooled in global citizenship
We live in an increasingly global economy characterized not
only by the free movement of goods and services but also the
free movement of ideas and capital...
Read more from The San Diego Union-Tribune
Thom Reilly on the importance of addressing Nevada’s health
care crisis now, before it’s too late
Despite a sustained period of economic prosperity and
substantial job creation in Nevada for the past decade, our
state faces serious challenges related to our health care
system, including an unacceptably large number of uninsured
and underinsured citizens and a serious workforce shortage of
health care professionals...
Read more from The Las Vegas Sun
Arizona independents in play as Biden pushes big Intel investments
President Joe Biden's move on Wednesday to pump $19.5 billion into Intel's, opens new tab expanding chip-making business could pay dividends with a critical part of the American electorate his Democrats need to win over: independents in the swing state of Arizona...
Read more from reuters.com
Consensus and Concern in Arizona's Hot Political Climate:
Voter Attitudes About Elections
Do voters have confidence in our election system? What is
their level of support for election integrity and election
reform measures?
Read Full Article
A Better Way to Help Young Adults Transition from Foster
Care
They face many a myriad of negative outcomes, ranging from
homelessness to involvement with the criminal justice system
and unplanned pregnancies. But one county’s approach shows
promise in helping these youth build better lives...
Read more from Governing.com
Voters largely reject election deniers as secretaries of
state – but the partisan battle for election administration
will continue
Midterm voters in six states – Arizona, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico and Vermont – appear to have
rejected extremist secretary of state candidates who denied
the validity of the 2020 presidential election...
Read more from The Conversation
The important role played by secretaries of state in
administering fair elections is changing – and not in a good
way
The state officials who administer fair, accessible and secure
elections have historically operated quietly without garnering
much public attention...
Read more from The Conversation
Can Independents Be a Bridge Over Our Partisan
Divide?
When partisans include independents in their networks, they're
less likely to live in alternative media realities and more
likely to moderate their views, a new study suggests...
Read more from governing.com
“I can’t breathe” – NSHE’s statement on George Floyd’s
Death
I, like many of you, have been profoundly disturbed by the
recent deaths of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery that have led
to days of civil unrest...
Read more from Nevada.edu
NSHE Statement on SCOTUS LGBTQ Ruling
Monday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision clearly underlines
that federal law now protects our LGBTQ students, staff, and
faculty’s right to fairness...
Read more from Nevada.edu
COMMENTARY: Revisiting remedial education in Nevada
While not everyone needs a four-year degree, some type
of postsecondary education — certificate or two-year degree —
is needed in our growing and demanding skill-based Nevada job
market...
Read more from The LVRJ
COMMENTARY: Time is now to protect Nevada’s
Dreamers
We are a nation of immigrants. Nowhere is this more evident
than in Nevada. Our state is home to people who have moved
here to make a better life for themselves and their
families...
Read more from LVRJ
My Turn: Lessons from a deeply corrupt city
"Corruption on steroids" is how Los Angeles District Attorney
Steve Cooley described the city of Bell, Calif., a tiny
enclave of 37,000 people in Los Angeles County...
Read more from azcentral.com
Government’s Continuing Budget-Buster: Paid Sick
Leave
While paid sick leave is critical to economic security and
health for employees and their families, its impact is even
more far-reaching -- even contagious...
Read more from governing.com
Why We Need to Re-Think Public Employees’
Compensation
Traditional public pensions widen the public-private pay gap,
and they aren't a good fit for a younger government
workforce...
Read more from governing.com
Nevada's public employee compensation needs reform
now
Nevada's pension system is one of the most generous public
employee retirement plans in the nation...
Read more from LVRJ
The Carter Presidential Library and Museum
presentation
June 21, 2012 - A broken system...
Read entire presentation
Why consolidation is not a panacea
Due to the economic crisis and severe budget shortfalls facing
Clark County and local cities, there has been renewed
conversation at the state and local levels for the
consolidation of governments in Southern Nevada...
Read more from The Las Vegas Sun
Where I Stand — Guest Columnist Thom Reilly: Building
citizen trust
TOO OFTEN I hear, "What is government going to do to fix this
problem in our community?" The problems vary depending on the
community issue and whom they affect...
Read more from The Las Vegas Sun
What’s at stake this Election Day – 7 essential reads
As Election Day closes in, uncertainty and concern about
potential chaos – from violence at polling sites to candidates
refusing to accept defeat – continue to rise...
Read more from The Conversation
We must radically change election administration to
preserve American democracy
The bipartisan agreement in the Senate to reform the Electoral
Count Act is a hopeful sign that the next election for
president will be less susceptible to corrupt influence...
Read more from thehill.com
NSHE Lauds Supreme Court DACA Decision
NSHE and its students were greeted with uplifting news
Thursday morning as the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of
keeping open the federal Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals (DACA) program.
Read more from Nevada.edu
NSHE improves odds for former Nevada foster children:
Reilly
The odds have never been good for the thousands of Nevada
children who enter the foster care system due to abuse,
neglect or abandonment by families...
Read more from Reno Gazette Journal
Gamechangers? Independent Voter May Rewrite The Political
Playbook.
Like the thick glass shakers of salt and pepper that dominate
kitchen, diner and banquet tables where modern U.S. politics
often are discussed and debated, elections and governance
largely have been viewed through the lens of a seemingly
impenetrable two party power structure: Republicans and
Democrats.
Read Full OP-ED
Voters, Media & Social Networks
Sociologists have long established that our media consumption
and circle of friends can in uence our individual political
opinions and perspectives. To better understand that
relationship, Morrison Institute for Public Policy conducted a
pre-election survey and separate post-election focus groups in
Arizona regarding how the interaction of news and social
networks a ect voters in their gathering and discussion of
political-related information...
Read full OP-ED
Viewpoints: The plan to prevent Arizona child
neglect
Child neglect is less visible than child abuse. But it’s a
similarly dangerous type of child maltreatment in that the
resulting negative outcomes too often last a lifetime...
Read more from azcentral.com
Viewpoints: How to solve Arizona's pension crisis
Pension reform is complicated, particularly with Arizona's
constraints. Here's how we can get around them...
Read more from azcentral.com
TANF cuts: Is Arizona shortsighted in its dwindling support
for poor families?
Arizona’s recently adopted budget for fiscal year 2015-16
includes dramatic reductions in assistance to low-income
families with children.
Read more from The Morrison Institute
Giving shelter: Promising news on homeless front
Let’s talk about homelessness. But wait — this time,
remarkably enough, the news is promising...
Read more from San Diego Tribune
More transparency needed for city’s pension reform
It is of little surprise that the Comprehensive Pension Reform
(CPR) initiative (which replaces guaranteed pensions for most
city workers with a 401(k)-style plan, freezes base pay for
city workers and removes special pay from counting toward
pension calculations) is appearing on the June ballot in San
Diego and garnering a good deal of citizen support...
Read more from U-T San Diego
Thom Reilly: Intermountain states must unite, seek federal
help
A recent report by the Brookings Institution, a Washington
think tank, suggests the southern Intermountain West states —
Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah — should team
up, flex their collective political muscle and together insist
the federal government work more helpfully with them to create
more sustainable, deliberate policies to empower their growing
urban areas...
Read more from The Las Vegas Sun
Should county recorder’s office be eliminated?
One thing that frustrates all of us is that many interactions
with government require standing in a line. Sometimes we go
through one line at a governmental agency, only to find out
that we need to go to yet another line...
Read more from The Las Vegas Sun
