State and Local Governance Initiative

Opportunities

Research Analyst for State and Local Government Initiative

We invite you to join us to help improve economic policymaking and governance by state and local governments throughout the U.S. The State and Local Governance Initiative, led by Senior Fellow, produces policy-relevant academic research by assembling novel datasets and conducting rigorous quantitative analysis. Our primary topic areas include pensions/public finance, taxation/fiscal issues, economic development (including incentives, regulation, and workforce training), infrastructure and energy policy, and education/child welfare policy.

With Oliver Giesecke

Oliver Giesecke: Pension Impact On Recruitment And Retention Of Public Employees

Hoover Institution fellow Oliver Giesecke testifies in front of the House of Representatives in Oklahoma on the topic of "Pension Impact on Recruitment and Retention of Public Employees.” Read the coverage here.

With Valentin Bolotnyy

Hoover Fellow Secures $786,100 Grant To Study Ways To Reduce Rates Of Involuntary Mental Health Hospitalization

A research team led by Hoover Kleinheinz Fellow Valentin Bolotnyy has just secured a Stanford Impact Labs grant worth $786,100 to discover ways to reduce rates of involuntary mental health hospitalization.

2025 Conference on Collaborative State and Local Policy Research

Every year, the Hoover Institution’s State and Local Governance Initiative hosts its Conference on Collaborative State and Local Policy Research.

By: Valentin Bolotnyy

How Unpredictable Schedules Widen The Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap can remain even among workers with the same role, seniority, and pay structure. One reason is due to unpredictable scheduling. When schedules are unpredictable, women are less likely than men to be able to accept last-minute overtime opportunities and to work odd hours. Making schedules more predictable can help reduce the gap.

By: Oliver Giesecke

How Healthy Are Local And State Finances?

A new data-driven dashboard exposes the financial realities of American governments.

Essay

State and Local Pension Funds 2022

Can alternatives to government pension plans provide states an off-ramp from the $6.5 trillion in unfunded liabilities they face, and thereby narrowly avoid impending economic and fiscal crises?