Lynne Thoman

New York and New Jersey have for decades been trying to rebuild the rail tunnels under the Hudson River, which were originally built in 1910. There are numerous other examples of stalled infrastructure projects. America today is essentially operating on road, rail, water, electric, and other infrastructure that were built over a hundred years ago. What's the problem? Hi, everyone.

New York and New Jersey have for decades been trying to rebuild the rail tunnels under the Hudson River, which were originally built in 1910. There are numerous other examples of stalled infrastructure projects. America today is essentially operating on road, rail, water, electric, and other infrastructure that were built over a hundred years ago. What's the problem? Hi, everyone.

I'm Lynn Thoman, and this is Three Takeaways. On Three Takeaways, I talk with some of the world's best thinkers, business leaders, writers, politicians, newsmakers, and scientists. Each episode ends with three key takeaways to help us understand the world and maybe even ourselves a little better. Today, I'm excited to be with Philip Howard. He's a leader of government reform in America.

I'm Lynn Thoman, and this is Three Takeaways. On Three Takeaways, I talk with some of the world's best thinkers, business leaders, writers, politicians, newsmakers, and scientists. Each episode ends with three key takeaways to help us understand the world and maybe even ourselves a little better. Today, I'm excited to be with Philip Howard. He's a leader of government reform in America.

He has advised both Republican and Democratic parties. He's also an author, and his most recent books are Everyday Freedom and Not Accountable. I'm looking forward to finding out why, no matter who is elected, government almost never changes how it works. Welcome, Philip, and thanks so much for joining Three Takeaways today. Nice to be with you, Lynn. Philip, the U.S.

He has advised both Republican and Democratic parties. He's also an author, and his most recent books are Everyday Freedom and Not Accountable. I'm looking forward to finding out why, no matter who is elected, government almost never changes how it works. Welcome, Philip, and thanks so much for joining Three Takeaways today. Nice to be with you, Lynn. Philip, the U.S.

has a history of transformational public infrastructure projects, like the Erie Canal, the transcontinental railroads, and the interstate highway system. Could these projects have been built today?

has a history of transformational public infrastructure projects, like the Erie Canal, the transcontinental railroads, and the interstate highway system. Could these projects have been built today?

Let's start with a present day example, the Biden administration's inability to expand broadband, despite the fact that Congress allocated $42.5 billion to do that. What happened?

Let's start with a present day example, the Biden administration's inability to expand broadband, despite the fact that Congress allocated $42.5 billion to do that. What happened?

So how do final decisions get made when you have 10 or 15 or more groups that are all analyzing and evaluating a project from many different perspectives?

So how do final decisions get made when you have 10 or 15 or more groups that are all analyzing and evaluating a project from many different perspectives?

So who can make a decision to go forward on an infrastructure project?

So who can make a decision to go forward on an infrastructure project?

How did the system that we have with so many groups involved in offering perspectives and analyzing and evaluating evolve?

How did the system that we have with so many groups involved in offering perspectives and analyzing and evaluating evolve?

Can you summarize what you call the quicksand of the approval process?

Can you summarize what you call the quicksand of the approval process?

Effectively, what you're saying is that the approval process has so many different groups involved and that there are always going to be trade-offs and there are always going to be requests or demands for additional studies or analysis that no decisions can be made. And you believe the only way to become more effective is to have a more effective decision process.

Effectively, what you're saying is that the approval process has so many different groups involved and that there are always going to be trade-offs and there are always going to be requests or demands for additional studies or analysis that no decisions can be made. And you believe the only way to become more effective is to have a more effective decision process.