Featured January 2, 2026 2025 in review: The Partnership steps up to safeguard the civil service Back to Blog New year, new era of government reform Date February 9, 2026 Authors Max Stier Tags Government Effectiveness The 250th anniversary of the United States is a prime opportunity to reimagine our federal government to make sure it is not a relic of the past, but rather a promise for the future, built on systems that actually work. Today, the systems that underpin how government operates are under immense strain. Years of disinvestment, layered mandates and outdated processes—compounded by the Trump administration’s efforts to shrink, sideline and politicize the civil service and cut federal functions and programs—have left agencies struggling to deliver at the speed, scale and reliability the public expects and have drastically changed the landscape of government systems. While challenges surrounding government effectiveness are not new, the current moment creates a rare opportunity to approach reform differently. That is the premise behind our Government for a New Era initiative. Why reform can’t wait Those who work in or around government already know the problem. Too many core processes are outdated, overly complex and misaligned with modern demands. Many of the laws and systems governing federal operations date back to the 1970s or earlier and were designed long before the digital age or today’s workforce expectations. Over time, layers of workarounds and compliance requirements have pushed systems further from their original purpose. Incentives are often disconnected from outcomes, and upgrading foundational systems has rarely been treated as a priority. Regardless of congressional or executive branch policy priorities, agencies cannot deliver without functional management and operational systems. Hiring and personnel systems, performance management, information technology and oversight mechanisms shape what government can realistically accomplish. When these systems fall short, the public feels it through delays, confusion and uneven results. Fixing how government works is inseparable from fixing what government delivers. Government for a New Era: A different kind of reform effort Recognizing both the urgency of this moment and the limitations of past reform efforts, the Partnership for Public Service has launched the Government for a New Era initiative. Our goal is straightforward: to help build a government that is more effective, responsive and accountable. We are setting out not only to develop and advance bold policy proposals, but also to help create the conditions for reforms to be enacted, implemented and sustained, modernizing outdated systems rather than layering fixes onto structures that no longer serve their purpose. Government for a New Era focuses on the management and operational systems that cut across every agency, with particular attention to federal personnel systems, management and performance systems, technology systems, and oversight and accountability. Through Government for a New Era, we are focused on three core objectives: Clarifying how systems function and where they fall short We examine how management and operational systems actually work today, using lived experience and evidence from across agencies to identify root causes that limit performance and impede reform. Turning reform priorities into practical action We translate ideas into policy proposals and operational playbooks that show how systems change can be enacted, implemented and sustained in real-world conditions. Building the conditions for change to stick We convene partners, engage Congress and tell a clear public story that connects government operations to the outcomes people experience, helping ensure reforms are adopted and endure. Across this work, we will test assumptions, learn from experienced and fresh voices and use evidence to guide our ideas for bold yet practical reform. What you’ll see this year In the months ahead, Government for a New Era will publish analyses, case studies and framing questions to inform how government should function in the modern era. As we convene partners and develop policy proposals, we invite people across sectors and backgrounds to engage with this work by contributing expertise, sharing lived experience and advocating for the adoption and implementation of new reform ideas. This new year presents a rare opportunity to move from frustration to action. Government for a New Era is our commitment to helping make that shift possible. Max Stier is the president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service.
