In this issue of The Business of Government magazine, we survey the intersection where leadership, complex challenges, and the need for transformation meet.

In this issue of The Business of Government magazine, we survey the intersection where leadership, complex challenges, and the need for transformation meet. Whether it’s in the response to the global financial crisis, the national deficit, or the myriad of other pressing issues facing us, uncertainty seems boundless while constraints on resources are very real. It is within this context that we’ve assembled a varied group of government executives and thought leaders who are focusing on these problems and working to mitigate their effects.

“Unlike many of our Department of Transportation agency partners, we don’t regulate. We’re a promotional agency, maintaining a strong advocacy role for the maritime industry. We want to promote it. We want to promote jobs, U.S. businesses, and economic opportunities for both workers and businesses in this key industry,” explains David Matsuda, MARAD administrator.

The media went hog wild over two recent audits from the City of Los Angeles Controller’s office that dealt with stimulus act spending at two agencies, Transportation and Public Works.

Remember high school science? Remember Archimedes? As the story goes, about 2,250 years ago, he noticed that the water in his bath rose higher in the tub when he submerged his body. We're pretty sure he wasn't the first to notice this (otherwise those ancient Greeks spent a heck of a lot of time mopping up water from the floor). But Archimedes took the observation a step further, and started talking about "displacement," and its value for measuring an object's volume.

We’ve mentioned in previous posts that Pennsylvania does a very good job, relative to other states, of reporting on its stimulus spending. It doesn’t simply tell citizens how many jobs were created, but what the money is accomplishing. But even in Pennsylvania, communicating the impact of stimulus dollars on vast transportation needs is still very tricky.

As we envision the process of coming up with elements of the stimulus act, we picture smart men and women trying to think of all the potential obstacles to success. But here’s one that we’ll bet they missed when thinking about funding road projects: A shortage of reflective paint for roadways has hit the country.

We love trains and are happy users of Amtrak’s Acela Express. Generally speaking, there’s limited jostling, commendable customer service and an on-time record that is superior to our experience with air travel.   That said, we can’t help fretting about the nation’s high speed rail plans as set forth in the Recovery Act, as well as other federal legislation.

The GAO recently released a report reviewing the impact of Cash for Clunkers. Beyond good information about that program, this report impressively discusses general questions regarding stimulus implementation and performance measurement. Here’s the conclusion of the GAO’s report: (Note: NHTSA refers to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; the emphasis is ours.)