The State Capacity Initiative advances reforms to make U.S. government more capable, responsive, and effective at implementing policy and delivering on its promises. Even the most well-designed policies can falter in execution. To meet the urgency and complexity of today’s challenges, we must reimagine the structures and processes that underpin how government works.

Many of the laws and processes that shape how government hires, budgets, delivers services, and evaluates performance were designed for a different era and have not kept pace with modern demands.

If we want a government that can deliver on its promises, we must improve in four priority areas:

1. 1. Hire the Right People, Fire the Wrong Ones
      Outdated hiring and accountability systems limit the public sector’s ability to attract and retain talent
   2. Reduce Procedural Bloat
      Excessive procedural burdens slow decision-making and stifle discretion
   3. Invest in Data and Digital Infrastructure
      Inadequate digital and data infrastructure hampers implementation at scale
   4. Close the Feedback Loops Between Policy and Implementation
      Weak feedback mechanisms disconnect policymaking from real-world outcomes

Why It Matters

Effective state capacity is essential for tackling today’s most urgent issues, from public health to national security to infrastructure. The growing gap between policy intent and effective outcomes undermines performance, erodes trust, and wastes public resources.

The State Capacity Initiative is advancing a vision of government that is modern, capable, and worthy of the public’s trust. In an era of rapid change and growing complexity, we work to ensure our government can deliver positive outcomes. This requires committing to a bold, future-facing vision of what government should be, not settling for what it once was.