Jennifer Pahlka, author of "Recoding America" and founder of Code for America, dives deep into the inefficiencies plaguing government hiring and operations. She reveals how outdated software and rigid hiring practices stifle talent recruitment. The conversation touches on the urgent need for reform, including the potential of AI to streamline processes. Pahlka also discusses the complexities of government budgeting and why simply identifying problems won’t cut it—it's a cultural overhaul that’s essential for real change.

Andrew Prokop, a senior correspondent at Vox, delves into Trump’s drastic government reshaping, highlighting controversial firings that reflect his 'drain the swamp' agenda. Jennifer Pahlka, a senior fellow at the Niskanen Center, discusses the urgent need for modernizing government tech and the challenges faced in this digital age. They explore the impact of tech visionaries like Elon Musk on employment policies and the ambitious goal of cutting federal spending by $2 trillion, all while emphasizing empathy for the civil servants affected.

Jennifer Pahlka, a senior fellow at the Niskanen Center and founder of Code for America, discusses the need for bipartisan government reform. She argues that Democrats must engage in reform efforts rather than sidelining them, emphasizing systemic inefficiencies. The conversation dives into the importance of modernizing hiring practices and policies, while addressing challenges in government efficiency. Pahlka also highlights the distinction between state capacity and political will, advocating for a refined approach to governance to ensure effective outcomes.

Jennifer Pahlka, author of 'Recoding America' and former U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer, joins the discussion on governmental inefficiencies. They delve into the new Department of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, questioning if top-down changes can truly revamp bureaucratic systems. Pahlka advocates for focusing on real-world outcomes rather than superficial tweaks, emphasizing accountability and the need for innovative, adaptable policies to enhance government effectiveness and prevent unintended consequences.

Trump Heads to Court (Again), Tesla's Autopilot Danger, and Guest Jennifer PahlkaKara and Scott talk about George Soros' succession plan, Twitter’s new “odd couple,” and Trump's latest legal battle over classified documents. Then Friend of Pivot Jennifer Pahlka stops by to talk about her critically-acclaimed new book, Recoding America: Why Government Is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better.Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.You can follow Jennifer at @pahlkadot and Recoding America is available here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jennifer Pahlka, a former deputy CTO under Obama and founder of Code for America, teams up with Andrew Greenway, a co-founder of Public Digital, to discuss the intricacies of state capacity. They explore why this topic is gaining traction in the UK while addressing the U.S. government's shortcomings. The duo shares insights on transforming digital services, the impact of civil service reforms, and the pressing need for collaboration to effectively tackle unemployment insurance. Their expertise shines a light on innovative strategies for rebuilding public trust.

There's a lot of frustration about the government's ability to build things in the US. Subways. Bridges. High-speed rail. Electricity transmission. But there's another crucial area where the public sector often struggles, and that is software. We saw it with the infamous rollout of Obamacare. We see it in the UX of the Treasury Direct website. And we saw it in the way state unemployment insurance systems broke during the pandemic. So why is it so hard for the public sector to build and maintain software? On this episode we speak with Jennifer Pahlka, the founder and former executive director of Code for America and author of the new book Recoding America: Why Government Is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better, as well as Dave Guarino, who recently left the Department of Labor after working on upgrading the unemployment insurance system. Both have a long history of working on public sector software systems and they explain why the problem is so tricky.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer Pahlka, founder of Code for America and former US deputy chief technology officer, discusses how digital transformation can reshape government services. She shares insights from her experiences in government, emphasizing the importance of user-centered design to enhance accessibility. Pahlka highlights the challenges of navigating equity in digital services and advocates for a product management mindset in public organizations. She also explores the role of AI in improving service delivery and the critical need to bridge the gap between policy and implementation.

Jennifer Pahlka discusses shifting to product management in government, prioritizing mission over process, embracing change for tech integration. Also, focusing on direct user feedback, simplifying policies, community engagement, and communication needs.

Jennifer Pahlka and Andrew Greenway, co-authors of a report on state capacity, dive into why improving government efficiency is crucial for 2025. They analyze America's struggles with timely shipbuilding and extensive approval processes for energy projects. The duo critiques the Biden administration's challenges in advancing infrastructure and discusses the urgent need for reforms across the political spectrum. Their insights on outsourcing in public services emphasize collaboration and highlight historical lessons for transforming governance.