Standard C Narrative
Data collection and analysis skills are essential to any local government employee. Data-backed decisions are crucial for understanding a public policy issue and making lasting and effective policy changes. The following artifacts showcase my ability to collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data to improve decision-making, including regression, budgeting, and SWOT analyses.
Artifact I Narrative:
Artifact 1 is a regression analysis written for PAPA 6514, which satisfies Standard C: Objective One. In this regression analysis, I examined the relationship between government expenditures and total revenue to understand which government expenditures correlate with more affluent communities, and used that analysis to improve decision-making for policymakers. I hypothesized that there is a correlation between education expenditures and total government revenue. I selected data from The Urban Institute’s state and local financial data, with “Total Revenue” as the dependent variable and “Education Expenditures” as the independent variable. By running this regression, I created a model that suggests a positive correlation between education expenditures and total revenue and a positive correlation between welfare expenditures and total revenue. A pre-pandemic and peak-pandemic data set were analyzed with the same results. Once this critically selected data was interpreted through regression, it provided a greater understanding of the complex policy issue of government spending, overall suggesting that education and welfare are safer spending choices for a government prioritizing a return on investment, enhancing decision-making during budget season.
Artifact II Narrative:
Artifact II is a budget analysis written for PAPA 6314, satisfying Standard C: Objective Two. I contacted the town of Cary's budgeting department to collect budgeting data for the fiscal year 2022. Top revenue sources and expenditures were identified and analyzed. Conclusions were drawn, and recommendations were made based on best budgeting practices from the Government Finance Officers Association. Like all other municipalities, Cary was still financially recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic at the time of this analysis. This data analysis identified strengths and weaknesses in the budget data, allowing for improved decision-making from a budget perspective. Improved recommendations were made, including the diversification of city revenue streams.
Artifact III Narrative:
Artifact 3 is a SWOT analysis for The Women’s Bureau, written in PAPA 5315 with Dr. Bredenkamp, satisfying Standard C: Objectives One and Three. Data was located and collected from historical records, government websites, and the Women’s Bureau’s mission statement. This qualitative data was located and carefully translated into key takeaways, allowing the reader to better understand the Women’s Bureau as an organization. After a brief background of the organization, the organizational environment was identified, and items of qualitative data, such as a list of technologies used, were interpreted and concrete conclusions given. The SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis method was selected and applied to better understand The Women’s Bureau’s mission statement and organizational structure. With this understanding, policymakers and government officials can effectively manage personnel, make policy decisions, and allot government budgets based on the Women’s Bureau’s unique organizational needs.
Stephanie Day
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919.745.9154