THOM REILLY

Dr. Thom Reilly is currently a professor in the School of Public Affairs and Co-Director, Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy at Arizona State University (ASU).

He is the former Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) where he served as chief executive officer and oversaw, under the authority of an elected board of regents, a complex system that included R-1 research universities, four-year undergraduate institutions, a research institute, and community colleges. During his tenure, he accumulated an impressive record on multiple measurable dimensions of success centered on increased accessibility, student success and expanded workforce training and education.

Prior to his appointment, he served as director of the Morrison Institute for Public Policy at Arizona State University where he also was a professor in the School of Public Affairs.

He previously served as County Manager for Clark County (the Las Vegas Valley), where he provided both regional and municipal-type services. As CEO, he was responsible for the fiscal management of the County's $5.8 billion budget and administrative oversight of close to 12,000 employees. During his tenure he was known for innovative governance practices including instituting increased transparency in the budgeting process, creating a host of citizen involvement/engagement activities; establishing a pay-for performance compensation system for employees; and championing regional governance efforts.

Reilly has extensive experience in the private sector, serving as managing principal of The Reilly Group, a management consulting firm and as Executive Director for the Caesars Foundation. He has also held senior administrative positions with the State of Nevada overseeing the statewide child welfare system.

Reilly has authored numerous published works on public pay and benefits, governance, the independent voter, and child welfare. He and his work have appeared on NPR's "Here and Now," PBS NewsHour, CNN Money, ABC World News, “This Week with George Stephanopoulos”, Fox Business News, and in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Forbes, The Hill, The Guardian, Law 360, Governing, Businessweek, The Fulcrum, The Associated Press, The Conversation, and The Washington Post.

In 2012, his first book, Rethinking Public Sector Compensation: What Ever Happened To The Public Interest? was published by M.E. Sharpe Publishing, Inc. In 2016, Lexington Books published his second book, The Failure of Governance in Bell, California: Big Time Corruption in a Small Town. The Independent Voter (2023) with co-authors JacquEline Salit & Omar ALI is being published by Routledge Press (Francis & Taylor Group).

Reilly currently is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, professor emeritus at San Diego State University; is on the Editorial Board for the academic journal Public Personnel Management; serves on the Board of Directors for Global Outreach Doctors, an international NGO; and with his partner Jim Moore, has served as host parents for the international high school exchange program, AFS since 2005.

He received his master's and doctorate of public administration from the University of Southern California. He earned his master of social work at ASU and a bachelor in social work from the University of Memphis.

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BOOKS

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Drawing on historical and contemporary data (including survey data, participant observation, interviews, and current writings and scholarship), and providing timely new analysis, the authors argue that independent voters are an engine for a transformation of US democracy, perhaps even its saviors. For a wide variety of audiences, this book gives students, scholars, campaign professionals, activists, and media analysts insight into current voting dynamics and future possibilities.

Thom Reilly is a professor in the School of Public Affairs and co-director for the Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy at Arizona State University.

Jacqueline S. Salit is President of Independent Voting and co-director for the Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy at Arizona State University.

Omar H. Ali is Dean of Lloyd International Honors College and a professor of African American political history at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Praise for
The Independent Voter

"The Independent Voter does a fantastic job chronicling the rise, and power, of the fastest-growing segment of the electorate in the United States. It is clear that more and more Americans are tired of partisan gridlock and want their leaders to be public servants, not party servants. Republicans and Democratic leaders should take note and anyone interested in the future of American Democracy should read this book."
--Arnold Schwarzenegger

“This book's exploration of [independent voters] is important and honest. The major media organizations try to marginalize this group as being secretly partisan, or not holding any consistent beliefs. These organizations are trying to marginalize Independent voters because they know that we're actually the majority, and if we band together, we can take this country back from the extreme partisans they represent.”
--Andrew Yang, from the Foreword

“This work seeks to prove that independent voters do indeed exist and are a powerful force. Anyone interested in the possibility of reimagining our two-party system should read this book.”
--Cathy J. Cohen, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, University of Chicago

“If you are interested in America's independent voters, you must read this book. It analyzes who independent voters are and makes a strong argument about how those not registered with a political party face ballot access challenges in states across the country. This book provocatively grapples with who independent voters are and why they matter.”
--Christian Grose, Professor of Political Science, University of Southern California

“Reilly, Salit, and Ali paint a picture of an emergence, a political sensibility that goes back to the founding of the country and looks forward. It's a book about possibility: how ordinary Americans are refusing to play by the partisan rules. Read this book if you want to be inspired!” 
--John Opdycke, President, Open Primaries

ABOUT BOOK

The quality of local governance matters more than ever before.

To many citizens, their local government is the most tangible form of government, and it is also the layer of government with which they have most contact in their everyday life. The power of local administration is that it represents ordinary citizens. People eat, drink, work, play and socialize with others in towns and cities. To be fully effective, local government management and service delivery capacity need to be strong, and resources need to be adequate. Civil society and businesses are essential actors in ensuring local governments have this capacity to meet the needs of its citizens.

There are a host of challenges that confront local government in the 21st century: delivering quality services; lack of finance and local fiscal autonomy; engaging citizens and communities in meaningful and authentic ways; forming effective partnerships which incentivize local actors to find solutions to the many complex and intractable issues facing communities; generating inclusive and sustainable development; implementing strategies for disaster risk reduction; managing transparent communications; and, rapidly evolving technologies and socio-economic demographics.

The Governance of Local Communities: Global Perspectives and Challenges is about the role that ideas, institutions, and actors play in structuring how people govern local communities and, more specifically, the types of adaptations necessary in local government roles and responsibilities, structures, and processes to effectively respond to a changing local government environment.

Global changes require that we rethink local governance. A wide net of international experts on local governance was assembled for this volume to stimulate frank conversations around the many contemporary challenges facing local government.

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In the late 2000s, the small Southern California town of Bell erupted in a scandal that revealed a truly astonishing level of municipal corruption— described by Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley as “corruption on steroids.” This book details how Bell was rendered vulnerable to such massive malfeasance by a disengaged public, lack of established ethical norms, absence of effective checks and balances, and minimal coverage by an overextended area news media. It is a grim and nearly unbelievable story. By considering factors arising from both theory and practice, Reilly makes clear why the sad saga of Bell, California, represents both a case study and a warning.

"How could this have happened?" The question still lingers among officials and residents of the small southern California town of Bell. Corruption is hardly an isolated challenge to the governance of America’s cities. But following decades of benign obscurity, Bell witnessed the emergence of a truly astonishing level of public wrongdoing – a level succinctly described by Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley as “corruption on steroids.”

Even discounting the enormous sums involved – the top administrator paid himself nearly $800,000 a year in a town with a $35,000 average income – this was no ordinary failure of governance. The picture that emerges from years of federal, state and local investigations, trials, depositions and media accounts is of an elaborate culture of corruption and deceit created and sustained by top city administrators, councilmembers, police officers, numerous municipal employees and consultants.

The Failure of Governance in Bell California: Big-Time Corruption in a Small Town details how Bell was rendered vulnerable to such massive malfeasance by a poorly educated and disengaged public, lack of established ethical norms, absence of effective checks and balances, and minimal coverage by an overextended area news media. It is a grim and nearly unbelievable story.

Yet even these factors fail to fully explain how such large-scale corruption could have arisen. More specifically, how did it occur within a structure – the council-manager form of government – that had been deliberately designed to promote good governance? Why were so many officials and employees prepared to participate in or overlook the ongoing corruption? To what degree can theories of governance, such as contagion theory or the “rover bandit” theme, explain the success of such blatant wrongdoing?

The Failure of Governance, by Arizona State University Professor Thom Reilly – himself former manager of Clark County, Nevada – pursues answers to these and related questions through an analysis of municipal operations that will afford the reader deeper insight into the inner workings of city governments – corrupt and otherwise. By considering factors arising from both theory and practice, Reilly makes clear, in other words, why the sad saga of Bell, California represents both a case study and a warning.    


"Using this book, practitioners will be challenged and prompted to consider several critical questions, including: How can public trust be regained? and How can public engagement be spurred and sustained?" -Ramona Denby-Brinson, Arizona State University

"This book replete with scandalous details, as well as insightful interpretations and suggestions for reform..." -U.S Rep. Dina Titus, 1st District of Nevada; emeritus professor of political science, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

"Thom Reilly provides an in-depth analysis of the sordid details and broad schemes of this massive corruption." -Chester A. Newland, Senior Professor of Public Administration, University of the Paci c McGeorge School of Law

"Virtually every page prompts substantive discussion topics for the reader. This is a must-read not only for students of government, administration and public policy, but for every concerned citizen." -Kathryn Landreth, former United States Attorney for the District of Nevada

"Public administration practitioners, teachers, and researchers are truly the beneficiaries of this work. This book provides a roadmap with mile markers that are a public sector ethical lens through which to view the requisite conditions that enable massive public corruption. Using this book, practitioners will be challenged and prompted to consider several critical questions, including: How can public trust be regained? and How can public engagement be spurred and sustained?" Read full review
-Ramona Denby-Brinson, Arizona State University

Corruption is widespread in American local government, producing more than 1,000 indictments annually. Reilly (Arizona State Univ.) chronicles such a case in Bell, CA (population 35,000), a low-income community in which seven public officials were eventually sentenced to prison. In 2010, two reporters with the Los Angeles Times uncovered excessively high salaries and a cluster of crimes in city hall. Trials soon followed, and by 2012, new officials were seated and order restored to Bell. The most prominent offender was Robert Rizzo, city administrator for 17 years, who built alliances with other council members and administrators to cover their misdeeds. Several factors contributed to this misconduct: unethical leadership by officials, lack of media coverage of city affairs, a breakdown in the checks and balances normally built into local governance, a culture of corruption that residents tolerated or were unaware of, and lack of attention by county and state authorities. This is a well-documented analysis of conditions that could exist in many governments and provides a warning to all citizens.
Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals. -Choice Reviews

“Reilly’s excellent account of corruption in local government is written with the expertise of a scholar who is uent in theory and the acumen of a practitioner who has witnessed such behavior up close and personal. This book replete with scandalous details, as well as insightful interpretations and suggestions for reform, will have broad appeal with the general public, for local administrators and in the classroom.” -U.S Rep. Dina Titus, 1st District of Nevada; emeritus professor of political science, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

“Far beyond wildly unimaginable ction, this reality-based book is an importantly great read on public affairs. It tells the story of a decade of Big Time Corruption in Bell, California – years of self-serving exercise of power shared among of cials in deliberately agrant violation of legal standards and other fundamentals of public service. Beyond that, Bell is also a sad case of sustained failure of professional, civic, legal, academic, and other institutions upon which society depends for responsible public affairs. As a former professional manager of Clark County (Las Vegas), Nevada, and now a leading public-policy academician, Thom Reilly provides an in-depth analysis of the sordid details and broad schemes of this massive corruption. His deeply informed analysis of The Failure of Governance in Bell, California, warrants study by civic leaders, political of cials, professional local-government managers, and students who hope to enter these public-service roles. It provides swift and hopefully lasting learning about abhorrent practices of all-too-easy corruption, thereby elevating understanding of necessities of elevated aspirations and practices of responsible government and other public affairs.” -Chester A. Newland, Senior Professor of Public Administration, University of the Paci c McGeorge School of Law; Duggan Distinguished Professor of Public Administration Emeritus, University of Southern California

“Thom Reilly depicts the almost unbelievable levels of greed and corruption that brought an entire municipal government to its knees. His incisive narrative not only carefully details the many enabling conditions that allowed this brazen looting of a small, vulnerable community to occur, but also skillfully incorporates an analysis of cultural norms and governmental structures that historically have been designed to deter corruption. Virtually every page prompts substantive discussion topics for the reader. This is a must-read not only for students of government, administration and public policy, but for every concerned citizen. The account of the systematic and unchallenged dismantling of checks and balances and external safeguards against graft serves as a cautionary tale to anyone who thinks it couldn’t happen in their community.” -Kathryn Landreth, former United States Attorney for the District of Nevada

ABOUT BOOK

The ongoing global financial crisis, coupled with the continued dramatic increases in life expectancy, have escalated the concerns countries have regarding the sustainability of their pension systems and how these retirement schemes will be financed. From 1998 to 2008, close to 30 countries embarked on privatizing reforms to their pension programs. Some of these countries introduced new pension reforms directed at private individual accounts while reducing the size of the state social security system. The focus of other reforms during this period varied but was primarily aimed at strengthening basic protection for economically at-risk older individuals, increasing benefit coverage and/or improving the overall fiscal sustainability of these systems. However, the move towards greater coverage and sustainability was interrupted by the worldwide financial meltdown. This has led to a reassessment of pension systems and reform approaches. This volume was assembled to review the status of pension reforms globally and to gain a glimpse of the trends emerging as countries adjust to the new age of macroeconomic worldwide uncertainty. The chapters in this volume provide concise, clear and dispassionate discussions on these trends and reforms as well as frank appraisals of the consequences of alternative policies. Experts from Europe, the United States and the emerging economies of Brazil, China and India approach pension reform and reassessment from different perspectives; however, each provide forthright analyses and assessment of the consequences of the “new normal”.

ABOUT BOOK   |    REVIEWS

Designed as a comprehensive overview of public sector compensation, the book addresses strategies for change, with the author warning that failure of the profession to address this issue will ultimately lead to citizens taking matters in their own hands. The author's issues-oriented approach addresses his core message-that the escalation of public sector compensation is impacting the ability of government to meet its core responsibility and the failure of government to address this has serious consequences. Not just a critique, the book presents context, analysis, and suggestions for reform.

In his book, Reilly states that the current system is unsustainable and reform must include more transparency, education and engagement of the public as well as:

  • Implementing changes and scaling back benefits to public sector pension and other post retirement options like moving public employees to a 401 (k) style plan or hybrid model that is portable from employer to employer;
  • Eliminating components of the civil service system that governs public pay so the focus is centered on rewarding performance, innovation and entrepreneurial thinking; rather than the current system that is skewed too heavily towards time-served and job security; and
  • Prohibiting conflicts of interest among elected official, public managers and employee unions in awarding compensation and benefits

In addition to suggested reform, Reilly offers two unique and valuable features in his the book including a detailed model of public-versus-private sector compensation, constructed to gauge the cost of lifetime compensation, and his model of the "Iron Triangle" to illustrate how elected politicians, management and labor representatives engage in nontransparent discussions involving public pay and benefits.


""This provocative analysis documents mutation away from ideals of governmental service devoted to public interests into a political culture of public employment in principal pursuit of self interests. It shows in detail how personal entitlements of many public officials and employees have been greatly expanded in high disregard of future sustainability." -Chester A. Newland, Senior Professor of Public Administration, University of the Paci c McGeorge School of Law

"Key policy makers and individuals would be remiss not to include a detailed review of the public sector in the Nation’s debate about compensation and the financial crisis. Thom Reilly’s thoughtful analysis of the shift in culture and compensation in the public sector reveals nuances that only a long-standing, executive-level civil servant could provide. This informed perspective, coupled with insightful and balanced analysis, provides a uniquely comprehensive look at one of the most critical issues of our day. Rethinking Public –Sector Compensation: What Ever Happened to the Public Interest’ should be required reading for policy-makers, students and individuals who desire clear information from which to guide opinions, legislative and regulatory changes." -Heather H. Murren, CFA, Former Commissioner Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission

"In 2007, the stock market started a slow decline and reached a floor early in 2009 before it began to reverse itself. This negative cycle had catastrophic effects on housing markets, employment, and every other economic engine that churned capitalism around the world. As a result, public sector compensation in the United States became an increasingly important topic as state and local governments sorted through budget austerity. In short, this book examines how public sector employees (primarily state and local) are compensated, rewarded, and managed." Read Full Review. -Charles E. Menifield, University of Missouri–Columbia

"This provocative analysis documents mutation away from ideals of governmental service devoted to public interests into a political culture of public employment in principal pursuit of self interests. It shows in detail how personal entitlements of many public officials and employees have been greatly expanded in high disregard of future sustainability." -Chester A. Newland, Senior Professor of Public Administration, University of the Paci c McGeorge School of Law

"Key policy makers and individuals would be remiss not to include a detailed review of the public sector in the Nation’s debate about compensation and the financial crisis. Thom Reilly’s thoughtful analysis of the shift in culture and compensation in the public sector reveals nuances that only a long-standing, executive-level civil servant could provide. This informed perspective, coupled with insightful and balanced analysis, provides a uniquely comprehensive look at one of the most critical issues of our day. Rethinking Public –Sector Compensation: What Ever Happened to the Public Interest’ should be required reading for policy-makers, students and individuals who desire clear information from which to guide opinions, legislative and regulatory changes." -Heather H. Murren, CFA, Former Commissioner Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission

"Public employee compensation is a hot topic. Taxpayers know intuitively that something’s not quite right. Yet it’s so complex, it can’t be spelled out in simple terms. Thom Reilly has managed to explain it, drawing on his varied career experience. He’s used his knowledge of the public and private sectors, and his nonprofit background, to turn out an objective discussion of the public employees, their unions, and the relationships elected officials have with both. Taxpayers, who pick up the tab for all of it, will appreciate this concise look at the politics and archaic policies that govern public employee compensation. The book is a must-read for elected officials, students of government, and anyone who pays taxes." -Carole Vilardo, President Nevada Taxpayers Association

"Reilly offers a thoughtful breakdown of the intensely debated and complex issue of public sector compensation. He offers insightful analysis on policies that could help relieve the stranglehold that these types of financial obligations have placed on the ability of governments across the country to effectively serve the public interest. Reilly is uniquely qualified to offer a thorough perspective on public employee pension funds and compensation practices, the effect that funding these obligations are having on government, and policy changes that could work towards alleviating this burden. He offers practical and common sense solutions that are rightly centered on the public interest. This book is highly recommended to those concerned about the ability of government to deliver core public services." -Sig Rogich President, The Rogich Communications Group Former US Ambassador to Iceland and Assistant to the President for President George H.W Bush

PUBLICATIONS

Pezer, M., Stanić, B., & Reilly, T. (2024). The Adoption of Council-Manager Model of Governance in Croatia: An Exploratory Study. State and Local Government Review, 1-12.

Reilly, T.., Coordes, L., Reinisch, E. & Schlinkert, D. (2023). Uncovering Municipal Fiscal Distress in the United States. Public Finance & Management, 21 (2), pp.1-28. Politics & Policy. 00:1-22

Reilly, T., & Hunting, D. (2023). The Fluid Voter: Exploring Independent Voting Patterns Over Time. Politics & Policy. 00:1-22

Reilly, T. (2020) Sick Leave Policies in the Public Sector (2020), Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance.

Reilly, T. (2017) Are social enterprises viable models for funding nonprofits? Human Service Organizations: Management, Leadership & Governance. (2017)

Reilly, T. (2013). Comparing Public-Versus-Private Sector Pay and Benefits: Examining Lifetime Compensation. Public Personnel Management., 42(4), 521-544.

Reilly, T. (2012). Public Pensions and Retiree Health Care in Nevada: An Analysis. The Nevada Review Journal, (4) 2, 3-28.

Reilly, T., Woodruff, S., Smith, L., Clapp, J., and Cade, J. (2010). Unsafe Sex Among HIV- Positive Individuals: Cross-Sectional and Prospective Predictors. Journal of Community Health , 35 (2): 115-122.

Reilly, T. & Schlinkert, D. (2022). Transition from Foster Care: A cross sectional comparison of youth outcomes twenty years apart. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal.

Reilly, T. (2017). Corruption in public administration: an ethnographic approach. International Review of Public Administration

Reilly, T. (2013). Rethinking The Role of the Profession on Public Sector Compensation. Public Administration Review,(73) 1, 8-9.

Reilly, T., and Reed, M. (2011). Budget Shortfalls, Employee Compensation and Collective Bargaining in Local Governments. State and Local Government Review. 43 (3), 215- 223.

Reilly, T., Schoener, S. & Bolin, A. (2007). Public Sector Compensation in Local Governments: An Analysis. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 27 (1), 39 -58.

Reilly, T., Smith, L., Woodruff, S.I., Clapp, J.D., and Cade, J. (2010) Predictors of Death and Survival Duration among a Sample of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS. Social Work in Health Care, 49 (9), 783- 798.

Reilly, T. & Hedberg, E. (2022) Social Networks of Independents and Partisans: Are Independents a Moderating Force? Politics & Policy.

Reilly, T. & Platz, L. (2004). Post adoption service needs of families with special needs children: Use, helpfulness, and unmet needs. Journal of Social Service Research , 30 (4), 51-67.

Laura N. Coordes & Thom Reilly Predictors of Municipal Bankruptcies and State Intervention Programs: An Exploratory Study. (2017) Kentucky Law Journal, 105(3), 493-562

Reilly, T. & Thom, M. (2015). Local government sick-leave practices: An exploratory study. Review of Public Personnel Administration.

Thom, Michael & Reilly, Thom (2015). Compensation Benchmarking Practices in U.S. Local Governments: Results of a National Survey. Public Personnel Management, 44(3), 340-355.

Reilly, T. (2013). Reforming Public Pay and Benefits. State and Local Government Review, 45 (1), 57-64.

FOR A COMPLETE LISTING,
VIEW FULL CV

SHOW MORE

How Republican-leaning Arizona became a swing state
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Trump vs. Harris: who will claim the youth vote? | People & Power Documentary
The battle for the youngest voters in the United States is a crucial front in the 2024 presidential election. Watch on YouTube

Young Arizonans Express Concern Over the Economy
Ahead of Election Day, national polls show economic issues are a top concern for voters. This is especially true in the battleground state of Arizona, where the high cost of living has some residents in a financial bind... Read more from Matter of Fact

Will Evangelical Christians Skip the Election? AZ GOP Faces Internal Division Ahead of 2024 Vote
As the 2024 election season heats up, Arizona has again emerged as a key battleground state, with significant concerns about growing divisions within the Republican Party that could jeopardize its prospects in both state and national races... Read more from CBN

Stocks and politics interview
Interview with Arizona State University Professor Thom Reilly... Watch interview on Fox10

Young Arizonans want to vote in November. But they hate their choices
A new ASU survey says Gen Z cares deeply about many issues but is turned off by both the Democratic and Republican parties... Read more from PhoenixNewTimes.com

Arizona Young Voters Survey
Arizona State University researchers just finished compiling results of a new, rare comprehensive survey of the political beliefs of Arizona adults age 30 and younger... Read more from azpbs.org

Frustrated with politics, Gen Z still plans on voting
Large numbers of Gen Z voters say both major political parties are out of touch with their concerns. Find out why many of them say they still plan to vote in November... Read more from kjzz.org

"Frustrated but engaged": Gen Z Arizonans plan to vote, but they're not happy about it
A majority of Arizona's Gen Z voters plan to cast a ballot this November — but they're not happy with their options, according to a new ASU survey... Read more from axios.com

Arizona could see open primaries on the ballot this November, allowing independents to weigh in on presidential nominees
A campaign aiming to open Arizona's primary elections filed its petition to qualify for the November ballot on Wednesday after collecting over 560,000 signatures... Read more from Cronkite News

Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema won't seek reelection
After months of speculation, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema announced on Super Tuesday that she will not seek a second term... Read more from azfamily.com

Arizona independents in play as Biden pushes big Intel investments
President Joe Biden's move on Wednesday to pump $19.5 billion into Intel's expanding chip-making business could pay dividends with a critical part of the American electorate his Democrats need to win over: independents in the swing state of Arizona.
Read article on Reuters.com

Independent voters increasing in Arizona
The number of people registering as independent voters in Arizona has kept increasing to the point where more Arizonans registered as independents in the last six months than signed up as Democrats or Republicans combined... Read more from AZPBS.org

Independent voters now make up the largest voting bloc in Arizona
NPR speaks with independents, who account for about a third of voters in the swing state of Arizona, about the issues motivating them ahead of the 2024 elections... Read more from NPR.org

ASU study finds most voters want nonpartisan primaries
azfamily Arizona State University Professor Thom Reilly explains his recent study that found 80% of Arizonans favor moving to a nonpartisan primary system.
Watch interview on azfamily.com

U.S. elections official takes part in secretive GOP conference, sparking backlash
A commissioner of a federal elections agency recently spoke at a secretive conference of conservative voting activists and Republican secretaries of state and congressional staff... Read more from minnesotareformer.com

What Election Reforms do Arizonans Support?
New ASU poll sheds light... Read more from azcentral.com

Laid off? Tips from experts on how to move forward
Here is experts' advice on navigating career choices and mental health after a layoff... Read more from azcentral.com

Arizona survey respondents want an open primary system
A new Arizona State University (ASU) study found that more than four in five respondents want the state to adopt an open primary system... Read more from AZPBS.org

Arizonans want to take politics out of voting, survey show
ASU survey of 1,000 voters finds broad support for open primaries, non-partisan election managers... Watch video on YouTube

Former Chancellor Thom Reilly talks about how high school students should prepare for college.

View on YouTube

WBZ News Radio Interview with Thom Reilly
Listen on WBZ News Radio

Here's Why The Democrats Are Losing People In Arizona
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In closely divided Nevada, Harris and Trump battle for economic hearts
Vice President Kamala Harris has never met Maria Rodriguez. She probably never will. But the Democratic presidential nominee should be worried about Rodriguez, and voters like her... Read more from the LA Times

After Harris-Trump debate, independents weigh in on who gets their vote
With weeks remaining until Election Day, both major presidential candidates are fighting for the votes of independents... Read more from Fox10

Arizona and Nevada edge toward Harris and Walz
In early August, Vice President Kamala Harris and her newly selected running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, swept through the Southwest, holding massive rallies in Phoenix and Las Vegas and energizing Democratic voters just before the party's national convention, which concluded yesterday... Read more from High Country News

Will Nevada and Arizona Pick the Next President?
California's neighbors, Arizona and Nevada, stand out as pivotal swing states in this year's presidential election, each with a large bloc of independent voters... Read more from KQED

Gen Z Defies Political Norms In New ASU Study
A new study released by the ASU Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy found that while Generation Z voters have become frustrated with the current state of American politics, there is still major motivation to participate in the 2024 election... Read more from AZFreeNews.com

66% of Arizonans age 20-30 say they will definitely vote despite political system dissatisfaction
A new survey of Gen Z voters in Arizona found that, despite disillusionment with the two-party system, most said they plan to vote in the November election... Read more from kjzz.org

NEW ASU CISD REPORT
In the November 2024 election, almost 41 million members of Generation Z (under age 30) will be eligible to vote nationally... Read more from indys4az.org

Make Elections Fair Arizona works to make voting as an Independent equal
It's the Independents in Arizona who will determine who gets elected. For the first time since 2016, registered Independents outnumber both Democrats and Republicans... Read more from fox10phoenix.com

Biden and Trump go on the hunt for the independents
They identify as neither Republicans nor Democrats and represent almost half of the electorate, a percentage that is growing steadily; in the November elections, they will be more crucial than ever... Read more from elpais.com

FAQ: How Arizona Supreme Court Justices are selected and how retention elections work
Two of the four Arizona Supreme Court justices who voted in favor of the 1864 abortion ban are up for retention in November... Read more from azfamily.com

Episode 7: Professional wrestling and the rise of the independent voter: Lessons from the American Southwest
If Republican and Democrats were listed on the New York Stock Exchange, I would sell right now. The two legacy parties are tied at 27% in January polling. And dropping... Listen to Episode 7 on lostmiddle.com or
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As Kari Lake Enters Senate Race One Question Tops All Others
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ASU event examines demographics, mindset of unaffiliated voters
Extreme partisan politics and hostility is turning off many American voters, who are increasingly disaffiliating themselves from the two major political parties, according to participants in a forum on Wednesday night... Read more from ASU.edu

As Kari Lake enters Arizona's Senate race, one question tops all others: Can she win?
Kari Lake's U.S. Senate candidacy brings fire and attention to Republican efforts to retake the chamber. But will it help?... Read more from azcentral.com

Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors 2020
Governors receiving an A are those who have cut taxes and spending the most, whereas governors receiving an F have raised taxes and spending the most... Read more from cato.org

In battleground Arizona, independent voters decry Trump
Mark Clarcq is an independent voter in the presidential battleground state of Arizona. In 2016 he cast his ballot for Donald Trump, but as the former Republican president appeared at a Georgia jail on Thursday... Read more from reuters.com

Open primaries proposal won't require ranked choice voting, but opens the door
Ranked choice voting (RCV) could still come to Arizona, but a ballot measure to overhaul primary elections won't explicitly mandate it... Read more from Axios.com

A Deep Dive Into Arizonan's Views of Elections ft. Thom Reilly
In the new Center for Politics Crystal Ball ratings for the 2024 presidential election, Arizona is just one of four initial toss-up states... Listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts

ASU study finds some common ground on election reforms
Arizona is ground zero for questions on election integrity and reform... Read more from ABC15.com

Include the Independent Voter: Jackie Salit & Thom Reilly
“The power of Independents is the growing numbers that they have.”... Listen to podcast on Future Hindsight

Who Are the Independent Voters?
The number of independent voters continues to grow, and their impact was felt in a massive way in Arizona--as what was expected to be an extremely successful 2022 for the GOP didn't turn out that way in statewide races...
Listen on Apple Podcasts

Voter trends to watch in November
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Mortuaries and other unique polling locations in Maricopa County as school districts opt out
Maricopa County said they've lost some traditional locations that have served as voting locations and have had to pivot to find new ones... Read more from 12News.com

Young Arizonans want to vote in November. But they hate their choices
A new ASU survey says Gen Z cares deeply about many issues but is turned off by both the Democratic and Republican parties... Read more from Phoenix New Times

Arizona could see open primaries on the ballot this November, allowing independents to weigh in on presidential nominees
A campaign aiming to open Arizona’s primary elections filed its petition to qualify for the November ballot on Wednesday after collecting over 560,000 signatures... Read more from Cronkite News

Nonpartisans feel disenfranchised, written off, excluded from primaries in swing state Nevada
There are more nonpartisan voters registered in Nevada than registered Democrats and Republicans, and that’s been the case since July of last year... Read more from kunr.org

Arizona group wants to give the power to independents with open primaries
This November, Arizona voters will be given the chance to move their state away from semi-closed primaries and open them to all registered voters... Read more from Washington Examiner

2 out of 3 Gen Z voters in Arizona say they will vote in November, ASU survey finds
Two out of three Gen Z registered voters in Arizona say they plan to vote in this year’s general election, while four in five say the two major political parties don’t represent them, according to results of a new Arizona State University survey... Read more from ASU.edu

"IT DOESN'T TAKE A BIG SWING": EXPERT SAYS "ONE GROUP" DITCHING TRUMP OVER CONVICTION — INDEPENDENTS
Donald Trump's allies have insisted that his criminal conviction in New York would actually help him in the campaign, arguing that the public would buy the former president's claim that the prosecution amounted to political persecution... Read more from indys4az.org

"FRUSTRATED BUT ENGAGED: GEN Z ATTITUDES ON VOTING, PARTIES AND ISSUES IN 2024
Arizona State University’s Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy released a new report, “Frustrated but Engaged: Gen Z Attitudes on Voting, Parties and Issues in 2024.”... Read more from independentvoting.org

2024 Election: Kyrsten Sinema to leave Senate
The Senator, who left the Democratic Party in 2022 to become an independent, issued a statement and an accompanying video message... Read more from fox10phoenix.com

With... Sinema quitting, do independents anywhere have a chance in politics?
Read full article

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. holds campaign event in Phoenix as he gathers signatures to appear on the Arizona ballot
According to Arizona Secretary of State data, more Arizonans are registered as independents than Republicans or Democrats. That's the block Kennedy wants... Read more from 12news.com

Independent voters increasing in Arizona
The number of people registering as independent voters in Arizona has kept increasing to the point where more Arizonans registered as independents in the last six months than signed up as Democrats or Republicans combined... Read more from azpbs.org

ASU center to host 3-part election education series
The Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy at Arizona State University will host a three-part election education series that explores issues of elections, the fundamental right to vote and election patterns... Read more from ASU.edu

To Unions, Organizing Time Is Fine When It's on the Taxpayers' Dime
Randi Weingarten, the powerful president of the American Federation of Teachers, hasn’t been a working teacher in more than a quarter of a century...
Read more from realclearinvestigations.com

Arizonans want changes to the way we choose election officials, ASU survey says
Arizonans appear interested in changes to the way the state chooses election officials, according to a new survey...
Read more from Fronteras

“Nonpartisan Election Administration Is the Norm in Other Democracies. Why Not Here?”
Thom Reilly in Governing, on the ASU survey of Arizona voters' attitudes about elections: “What we found was that Arizona voters strongly supported...
Read more from Election Law Blog

What do most Arizona voters want? A different way to vote, according to new ASU survey
Voters across the spectrum support open primaries, a new survey finds. They also agree on removing politics from election oversight...
Read more from 12news.com

ASU Report on Voter Attitudes about Elections
From the hotbed — no pun intended (sorry Arizonans, I know it's been sweltering) — of election denialism comes this report by Arizona State's Center for Independent and Sustainable Democracy...
Read more from Election Law Blog

How your secretary of state affects elections and why you should care
A once under-the-radar governmental role with significant control over elections is getting a lot more attention this year...
Read more on PBS News Hour

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Frustrated with political system, Gen Z voters not giving up
In the November 2024 election, almost 41 million members of Generation Z (under age 30) will be eligible to vote nationally...
Read article on AZCapitolTimes.com

Nevada is a battleground state – and may be a bellwether of more extreme partisanship
Over the course of Nevada history, no one party has dominated the state’s politics, and its electorate has remained surprisingly balanced in its political leanings...
Read article on TheConversation.com

Nonpartisan Election Administration Is the Norm in Other Democracies. Why Not Here?
As a new Arizona survey shows, voters want to take the partisanship out of how top state and local election officials are chosen. The system we use now erodes public trust...
Read article on Governing.com

Focus on Poverty
Comparing Outcomes 20 Years Apart: Transitioning Out of Foster Care for Emerging Adults
Read full report

Independent voters can be decisive in elections - but they're pretty unpredictable, not 'shadow partisans'
In the end there was no red wave. And there was no blue wave. There was an independent wave...
Read more from TheConversation.com

Good faith and the honor of partisan election officials used to be enough to ensure trust in voting results - but not anymore
As the U.S. moves closer to the 2022 midterm elections, a sizable number of Americans express a lack of confidence in the accuracy of the vote count...
Read more from The Conversation

Four ways the Biden administration should reach out to independents
So-called independent voters, or those who do not identify as Republicans or Democrats, made up more than two-fifths of the electorate as the new year began... Read more from thefulcrum.com

The Murky World of ‘Official Time’ in Government
"Official time," or union business leave (UBL), is widely practiced at all levels of government... Read more from Governing.com

COMMENTARY: Collaboration key to attacking Southern Nevada’s homeless issue
Problems of homelessness in the Las Vegas Valley and across the nation remain huge and complex... Read more from the LVRJ

Education partnership aims to improve college and career readiness
It’s no secret that education in the state of Nevada is a hot topic. Everyone – from teachers and administrators to parents and students – agrees that education is foundational to our state’s future success... Read more from the Nevada Independent

Our Turn: Arizona's independents can bridge political divide
Voters today are not so much shaped by news as the news is shaped for them. In cafeteria-style format, we consume news from a personalized menu that, in addition to informing us, satisfies our appetite for reinforcing our individual beliefs. Read more from azcentral.com

Court rulings show fate of state pensions likely in voters’ hands
Voters may be tasked with ultimately deciding the fate of state pensions after the Arizona Supreme Court ruled for a second time that provisions of a 2011 reform law passed by the Legislature are unconstitutional. Read more from azcapitoltimes.com

A Better Way to Set Public Pay
Too few local governments are taking advantage of a valuable tool: benchmarking compensation among their public- and private-sector peers... Read more from governing.com

First step to fix pension woes: Proper accounting
Officials from Nevada’s Public Employees Retirement System recently announced that the system saw a 12.4 percent increase in value in the fiscal year that ended June 30, beating its 8 percent goal... Read more from Las Vegas Sun

Nevada Taxpayers Association
My years in both state and local government have made me a passionate non-partisan. I stand before you today believing very strongly that the policies and financial issues surrounding public pay and benefits are bipartisan issues and the failure to make needed reforms will have a profound impact on the ability of state and local government to function effectively... Read entire keynote

Students schooled in global citizenship
We live in an increasingly global economy characterized not only by the free movement of goods and services but also the free movement of ideas and capital... Read more from The San Diego Union-Tribune

Thom Reilly on the importance of addressing Nevada’s health care crisis now, before it’s too late
Despite a sustained period of economic prosperity and substantial job creation in Nevada for the past decade, our state faces serious challenges related to our health care system, including an unacceptably large number of uninsured and underinsured citizens and a serious workforce shortage of health care professionals... Read more from The Las Vegas Sun

Why is it so hard to know how many independent voters there are?
Modern U.S. politics has largely been viewed through the lens of a two-party power structure: Democrats and Republicans. However, this may be changing...
Read article on TheConversation.com

Legislative inaction and dissatisfaction with one-party control lead to more issues going directly to voters in ballot initiatives, with 60% of them in six states
Recent polls show Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with their system of representative democracy, in which they choose candidates to represent their interests once in office...
Read article on theconversation.com

Consensus and Concern in Arizona's Hot Political Climate: Voter Attitudes About Elections
Do voters have confidence in our election system? What is their level of support for election integrity and election reform measures?
Read Full Article

A Better Way to Help Young Adults Transition from Foster Care
They face many a myriad of negative outcomes, ranging from homelessness to involvement with the criminal justice system and unplanned pregnancies. But one county’s approach shows promise in helping these youth build better lives...
Read more from Governing.com

Voters largely reject election deniers as secretaries of state – but the partisan battle for election administration will continue
Midterm voters in six states – Arizona, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico and Vermont – appear to have rejected extremist secretary of state candidates who denied the validity of the 2020 presidential election...
Read more from The Conversation

The important role played by secretaries of state in administering fair elections is changing – and not in a good way
The state officials who administer fair, accessible and secure elections have historically operated quietly without garnering much public attention...
Read more from The Conversation

Can Independents Be a Bridge Over Our Partisan Divide?
When partisans include independents in their networks, they're less likely to live in alternative media realities and more likely to moderate their views, a new study suggests... Read more from governing.com

“I can’t breathe” – NSHE’s statement on George Floyd’s Death
I, like many of you, have been profoundly disturbed by the recent deaths of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery that have led to days of civil unrest... Read more from Nevada.edu

NSHE Statement on SCOTUS LGBTQ Ruling
Monday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision clearly underlines that federal law now protects our LGBTQ students, staff, and faculty’s right to fairness... Read more from Nevada.edu

COMMENTARY: Revisiting remedial education in Nevada
While not everyone needs a four-year degree, some type of postsecondary education — certificate or two-year degree — is needed in our growing and demanding skill-based Nevada job market... Read more from The LVRJ

COMMENTARY: Time is now to protect Nevada’s Dreamers
We are a nation of immigrants. Nowhere is this more evident than in Nevada. Our state is home to people who have moved here to make a better life for themselves and their families... Read more from LVRJ

My Turn: Lessons from a deeply corrupt city
"Corruption on steroids" is how Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley described the city of Bell, Calif., a tiny enclave of 37,000 people in Los Angeles County... Read more from azcentral.com

Government’s Continuing Budget-Buster: Paid Sick Leave
While paid sick leave is critical to economic security and health for employees and their families, its impact is even more far-reaching -- even contagious... Read more from governing.com

Why We Need to Re-Think Public Employees’ Compensation
Traditional public pensions widen the public-private pay gap, and they aren't a good fit for a younger government workforce... Read more from governing.com

Nevada's public employee compensation needs reform now
Nevada's pension system is one of the most generous public employee retirement plans in the nation... Read more from LVRJ

The Carter Presidential Library and Museum presentation
June 21, 2012 - A broken system... Read entire presentation

Why consolidation is not a panacea
Due to the economic crisis and severe budget shortfalls facing Clark County and local cities, there has been renewed conversation at the state and local levels for the consolidation of governments in Southern Nevada... Read more from The Las Vegas Sun

What’s at stake this Election Day – 7 essential reads
As Election Day closes in, uncertainty and concern about potential chaos – from violence at polling sites to candidates refusing to accept defeat – continue to rise...
Read more from The Conversation

We must radically change election administration to preserve American democracy
The bipartisan agreement in the Senate to reform the Electoral Count Act is a hopeful sign that the next election for president will be less susceptible to corrupt influence... Read more from thehill.com

NSHE Lauds Supreme Court DACA Decision
NSHE and its students were greeted with uplifting news Thursday morning as the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of keeping open the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Read more from Nevada.edu

NSHE improves odds for former Nevada foster children: Reilly
The odds have never been good for the thousands of Nevada children who enter the foster care system due to abuse, neglect or abandonment by families... Read more from Reno Gazette Journal

Gamechangers? Independent Voter May Rewrite The Political Playbook.
Like the thick glass shakers of salt and pepper that dominate kitchen, diner and banquet tables where modern U.S. politics often are discussed and debated, elections and governance largely have been viewed through the lens of a seemingly impenetrable two party power structure: Republicans and Democrats. Read Full OP-ED

Voters, Media & Social Networks
Sociologists have long established that our media consumption and circle of friends can in uence our individual political opinions and perspectives. To better understand that relationship, Morrison Institute for Public Policy conducted a pre-election survey and separate post-election focus groups in Arizona regarding how the interaction of news and social networks a ect voters in their gathering and discussion of political-related information... Read full OP-ED

Viewpoints: The plan to prevent Arizona child neglect
Child neglect is less visible than child abuse. But it’s a similarly dangerous type of child maltreatment in that the resulting negative outcomes too often last a lifetime... Read more from azcentral.com

Viewpoints: How to solve Arizona's pension crisis
Pension reform is complicated, particularly with Arizona's constraints. Here's how we can get around them... Read more from azcentral.com

TANF cuts: Is Arizona shortsighted in its dwindling support for poor families?
Arizona’s recently adopted budget for fiscal year 2015-16 includes dramatic reductions in assistance to low-income families with children. Read more from The Morrison Institute

Giving shelter: Promising news on homeless front
Let’s talk about homelessness. But wait — this time, remarkably enough, the news is promising... Read more from San Diego Tribune

More transparency needed for city’s pension reform
It is of little surprise that the Comprehensive Pension Reform (CPR) initiative (which replaces guaranteed pensions for most city workers with a 401(k)-style plan, freezes base pay for city workers and removes special pay from counting toward pension calculations) is appearing on the June ballot in San Diego and garnering a good deal of citizen support... Read more from U-T San Diego

Thom Reilly: Intermountain states must unite, seek federal help
A recent report by the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank, suggests the southern Intermountain West states — Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah — should team up, flex their collective political muscle and together insist the federal government work more helpfully with them to create more sustainable, deliberate policies to empower their growing urban areas... Read more from The Las Vegas Sun

Should county recorder’s office be eliminated?
One thing that frustrates all of us is that many interactions with government require standing in a line. Sometimes we go through one line at a governmental agency, only to find out that we need to go to yet another line... Read more from The Las Vegas Sun

Where I Stand — Guest Columnist Thom Reilly: Building citizen trust
TOO OFTEN I hear, "What is government going to do to fix this problem in our community?" The problems vary depending on the community issue and whom they affect... Read more from The Las Vegas Sun

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