Giving Compass' Take:

· Kathryn Reynolds and Kriti Ramakrishnan explain why evidence-based policymaking should be the top priority of every new governor and provide a few ways to incorporate this practice effectively. 

· How can governors use data to create better policies for their states? How has data influenced policymaking in the past? 

· Learn more about evidence-based policymaking and using data as a tool. 

As new governors prepare to step into office, many issues may weigh on their minds: meeting campaign promises, developing public programs, managing the local or state crisis du jour, and building a team to handle the pressing affairs of the state. Among these competing priorities, evidence-based policymaking may not be on the top of the list; however, using evidence may help new leaders meet their policy goals.

Today, we can harness data in new ways and apply evidence to develop new policy interventions and ensure that existing interventions are working. To help governors use these advances, the Evidence-Based Policymaking Collaborative, a joint effort of the Urban Institute, Brookings Institution, American Enterprise Institute, and Pew Charitable Trusts, has released a new guide for governors on evidence-based policymaking.

The approach is nonpartisan and applicable across all issue areas. At heart, it is about making sure we get the biggest and best outcomes for our tax dollars. As we note in the guide, evidence-based policymaking can help new leaders meet their policy goals by focusing limited public funding on programs and policies that work and fostering deeper understanding of constituents’ needs.

Read the full article about evidence-based policymaking by Kathryn Reynolds and Kriti Ramakrishnan at Urban Institute.