Dr. Shawn Granger

In local government, the world is small—you’ll cross paths with colleagues time and again. Memories are long, so always lead with integrity and professionalism. Every interaction is an opportunity to build trust, strengthen relationships, and inspire others in public service.

I was recently in a conversation about the power of tools like Power BI, and it struck me—if you’re not visualizing your metrics, you’re only seeing part of the picture.

If you’re not visualizing your metrics, you’re flying blind. You can’t measure success if you don’t know what it looks like.

Today I had the pleasure of connecting with colleagues from another city and a local university. Not only did they provide the support I needed, & shared experiences from their own work. Encounters like these remind me of the generosity, dedication, and sense of community that define public service.

Driven: A Life in Public Service and Journalism from LBJ to CNN Driven: A Life in Public Service and Journalism from LBJ to CNN [Johnson, Tom, Woodruff, Judy] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Driven: A Life in Public Service and Journalism from LBJ to CNN

I had the privilege of meeting Tom Johnson and attending several events with him and his wife—an experience that significantly influenced my decision to pursue a career in public service a few years later.

His memoir comes out in a couple months.

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Everyone in public service holds a rare and powerful gift—the chance to truly impact lives. Your attitude, your compassion, and even a simple smile can be the light that breaks through someone’s darkest moment. Never underestimate the difference you can make.

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Good Governance Is Based on Facts, Not Rhetoric | Tough Gov In today’s highly connected world, the importance of sound public decision-making has never been greater. As the line between fact and fiction becomes more blurred by political spin, viral misinformat...

toughgov.com/good-governa...

Good Governance Is Based on Facts, Not Rhetoric
[FULL ARTICLE IN COMMENT]

In today’s highly connected world, the importance of sound public decision-making has never been greater.

Public administrators play a unique and crucial role in ensuring government institutions' practical and ethical functioning. When policies are flawed or counterproductive, public administrators must call them out.

The Trump Tariffs: A Comprehensive Analysis of Immediate Impacts and Historical Context | Tough Gov On April 2, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a series of extensive tariffs under the

On April 2, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a series of extensive tariffs under the "Liberation Day" initiative aimed at addressing perceived trade imbalances and supporting domestic industries. Maybe the past can help us predict the future?

toughgov.com/the-trump-ta...

President Trump has declared today MAGA Day. Happy MAGA Day!

Trump's Tariff Mistake: How Hard Candy Prices Reveal a Bitter Lesson | Tough Gov Sugar tariffs, meant to protect American farmers, are leaving a bitter taste for U.S. candy manufacturers. As confectionery giants grapple with soaring costs and declining profits, they are compelled ...

This article examines the unexpected economic fallout from these tariffs, showing how a protective policy intended to benefit sugar producers inadvertently harms the broader U.S. economy.

toughgov.com/trumps-tarif...

The Erosion of Separation of Powers: Executive Overreach and Its Impacts on American Democracy | Tough Gov The U.S. Constitution establishes a system of checks and balances by separating powers among the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches. This structure aims to prevent any branch from accumulat...

This shouldn't be a question of political sides; all Americans should be concerned about what has happened for decades.

toughgov.com/the-erosion-...

The Anger Towards the Department of Education: Misconceptions, Realities, and What’s at Stake | Tough Gov John F. Kennedy famously declared, “Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education” (Kennedy, 1961). Yet today, the United States Department of Education (DOE), established ...

As this was my first article on the new website, I made some errors. Namely, I forgot to include the references. I've corrected it to be more useful for those studying the topic. toughgov.com/the-anger-to...

Revolutionizing Street Repairs: AI-Powered Drones and the Future of Infrastructure Maintenance | Tough Gov Around the world, cities are facing a shared issue: crumbling roads filled with potholes. Traditional methods of road maintenance are labor-intensive, expensive, and frequently inefficient. However, t...

Are potholes an endangered species?

Revolutionizing Street Repairs: AI-Powered Drones and the Future of Infrastructure Maintenance

toughgov.com/revolutioniz...

The Origins of Squirrels in Urban Parks: A 19th-Century Transformation | Tough Gov Squirrels are common in urban parks throughout the United States, but their presence is not as natural as many might assume. These small mammals were not originally residents of cityscapes; they were ...

Did you know the history of US squirrels?
toughgov.com/the-origins-...

Ernest Lundeen: A Controversial Chapter in American Political History | Tough Gov Ernest Lundeen, a U.S. Senator from Minnesota, left a legacy rich in political ambition and controversy. As a strong advocate of non-interventionism, Lundeen's career was clouded by allegations of Naz...

This lesser known story should resonate with some. The old adage, “Learn History Lest You Repeat It” is very important these days.

toughgov.com/ernest-lunde...

The Origins of CicLAvia: Transforming Los Angeles One Ride at a Time | Tough Gov CicLAvia has transformed the way Angelenos engage with their city, turning congested streets into lively car-free areas that encourage cycling, walking, and community involvement. Inspired by Bogotá, ...

The Origins of CicLAvia: Transforming Los Angeles One Ride at a Time
toughgov.com/the-origins-...

The Evolution of Urban Landscapes: How Mixed-Use Developments Are Transforming American Communities | Tough Gov In recent years, urban planning in the United States has significantly shifted with the rise of mixed-use developments. These projects combine residential, commercial, cultural, and recreational space...

The uptick in mixed-use developments appears popular with younger communities.

toughgov.com/the-evolutio...

The Persistent Rumors of Neo-Nazism in Ukraine: Unraveling Fact from Fiction | Tough Gov Recent developments have once again prompted Russian propagandists to use the familiar accusation that Ukraine contains Neo-Nazi elements. While this narrative has gained renewed attention, it is neit...

For a couple decades Russian propaganda has been very successful at influencing naive Americans. Please share this article with any you know to help them.

toughgov.com/the-persiste...

The Decline of Congress: An Erosion of Legislative Authority | Tough Gov The United States Congress, once the dominant branch of government envisioned by the Founding Fathers, has undergone a steady decline in power and influence over the past several decades. This decline...

Restoring constitutional balance requires Congress to reassert its proper role. As Koh (2018) emphasizes, "Only when Congress reclaims its constitutional responsibilities can the system of checks and balances function as intended" (p. 217).

toughgov.com/the-decline-...

NOAA Layoffs: How Budget Cuts Threaten Farmers, Safety, and America’s Future | Tough Gov The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been a cornerstone of the United States' environmental monitoring and forecasting efforts. Recent reports indicate that the agency faces ...

NOAA cuts come with high risk. toughgov.com/noaa-layoffs...

Cutting NIH Summer Internships: A Costly Mistake That Could Set Back American Medical Research | Tough Gov The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Summer Internship Program (SIP) has been instrumental in nurturing future leaders in biomedical research. By offering hands-on experience, the program shapes in...

Trump's NIH cuts may cost much more than they save. toughgov.com/cutting-nih-...

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The Anger Towards the Department of Education: Misconceptions, Realities, and What’s at Stake | Tough Gov The U.S. Department of Education has long been a lightning rod for political debate, with critics decrying it as an overreaching bureaucracy and calling for its elimination. However, much of the frust...

Article on misinformation and misunderstanding about the Department of Education. #DOE
toughgov.com/the-anger-to...

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