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PARTNERSHIP FOR PUBLIC SERVICE STATEMENT ON HOW THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS A WAKE-UP CALL FOR THE URGENT NEED TO REPAIR AND REBUILD OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

April 8, 2020

WASHINGTON – Partnership for Public Service President and CEO Max Stier released the following statement on how our federal government is failing to adequately respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and what steps need to be taken to ensure it is better equipped to respond to our next crisis.

“The COVID-19 pandemic leaves no doubt – government matters. And good government – with skilled public servants and competent leaders – is important to the health, safety and economic well-being of every person living in the United States.

Unfortunately, we have for years tolerated, ignored or encouraged a culture that erodes federal institutions. We have starved federal entities of resources, diminished their importance and criticized failures without investing in the success of the government and its employees. We are now paying a steep price in lives and economic loss. Today’s stark realities demand that we rebuild the capacity of our government to meet the challenges to come.

We need the best and brightest to serve, but critical politically-appointed jobs remain vacant, many civil servants are marginalized and resources for developing new leaders are in short supply. We need capable political appointees along with experts in their field who serve for a short time and capable employees who make public service a career. Everyone has something to offer our nation, but they will only do so if we start reinvesting in federal institutions and the people who serve.

The National Commission on Military, National and Public Service issued a report in March on the many ways we can do more as a society to encourage and enable public service. The ideas are there – but we need the will and we need action. The Partnership for Public Service will be working in the months to come to promote service to our nation, recognize those who serve and ensure that federal institutions have the technology, people and leadership they need to respond to the challenges of our time.”

During the past 19 years, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service has been dedicated to making the federal government more effective for the American people. We work across administrations to help transform the way government operates by increasing collaboration, accountability, efficiency and innovation. Follow us on social @RPublicService and subscribe today to get the latest federal news, information on upcoming Partnership programs and events, and more.