Author Archive
Tom Shoop
Tom Shoop is the former executive vice president and editor in chief at Government Executive Media Group, where he oversaw editorial operations at Government Executive, Nextgov, Defense One and Route Fifty. He started as associate editor of Government Executive magazine in 1989; launched the company’s flagship website, GovExec.com, in 1996; and served as editor in chief from 2007 to 2021.
Management
One County’s Solution to Controversial Confederate Road Names: Switch to Numbers
But dissenters argue it’s all part of a plot to erase their Confederate heroes from history.
- By Tom Shoop
Management
Most Americans Can’t Think of Anything Their State Government Does Well
At least they like their state leaders more than the feds, a new poll finds.
- By Tom Shoop
Management
Cities Pick up Pace on Reparations Efforts, and Controversy Follows
Localities are devising programs to provide redress for racial discrimination. But implementing them has brought out the critics.
- By Tom Shoop
Management
Even in Black History Month, Interpreting the Past Can Be a Challenge for Local Governments
Inclusiveness and the need to balance priorities are among the issues officials nationwide face.
- By Tom Shoop
Infrastructure
The Messiest Local Government Issue
The problem of building, maintaining and expanding sewer systems never seems to go away.
- By Tom Shoop
Management
House Freedom Caucus Takes Its Crusade to the States
Nationwide network aims to bolster conservative activists in state legislatures—sometimes for fights against their party leaders.
- By Tom Shoop
Finance
'Tis the Season for Giving—Even to Your Local Government
Just don’t ask for anything specific in return, according to the IRS.
- By Tom Shoop
Management
More Than Two Dozen States in Limbo on Vaccine Mandate for Government Workers
A federal order requiring vaccination or weekly testing for workers in large companies also applies to state and local government employees in 26 states. But it’s under judicial review.
- By Tom Shoop
Management
As Trash Pickup Problems Mount, One Local Government Steps In, Then Out
COMMENTARY | A suburban subdivision’s struggle with garbage collection.
- By Tom Shoop
Management
Dollar Signs Drive Police Departments to Electric Car Experiments
Under pressure economically as well environmentally, governments are seeing savings in ditching fossil-fuel cars.
- By Tom Shoop
Management
‘Moms for Liberty’ Group Sets Sights on Local Government
Leaders hope to create a national ‘parental rights’ movement, starting with school board activism. The group already has 135 chapters in 35 states.
- By Tom Shoop
Management
The Prison Population is Falling, But in Some States Lots of People Are Still Locked Up
Incarceration rates have been dropping for years. Here’s where prisons and jails are still packed.
- By Tom Shoop
Management
The Plantation and the Pizza Hut: A Suburban County Reconsiders Its History
Fairfax County, Virginia wants to add unheard voices to its story. That will require changing the way it gathers and evaluates historical information.
- By Tom Shoop
Workforce
Pay Us More and Let Us Work From Home, State and Local Employees Say
Morale is improving, but concerns about pay and working conditions are on the rise, too, a survey shows.
- By Tom Shoop
Workforce
Some State and Local Employees Aren’t Getting Vaccinated Because They Don’t Trust Government
Most workers report they are fully vaccinated, but a surprisingly large percentage have no intention of getting the vaccine.
- By Tom Shoop
Digital Government
App Alerts State’s Residents to Suspicious Activity on Their Phones, Tablets
Michigan Secure app warns of phishing attempts, vulnerable software, risky settings and more.
- By Tom Shoop
Management
These Are the Safest States To Ride Out the Pandemic
Your best bet for avoiding coronavirus may be to head north.
- By Tom Shoop
Infrastructure
The Best and Worst States for Driving
You can experience the joy of the open road in Texas. Not so much in Hawaii.
- By Tom Shoop
Management
Government Executive Media Group Acquires City & State New York
Route Fifty’s parent company continues to expand its portfolio of information and services for state and local government leaders.
- By Tom Shoop
Digital Government
Route Fifty’s Parent Company Buys Community Platform for Local Government Leaders
The Atlas for Cities focuses on case studies and other tools to connect local officials and enable them to share ideas and best practices.
- By Tom Shoop