Many government agencies are often criticized for expanding forms and reporting requirements. The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) was created to prevent unnecessary information requests from the public by requiring a detailed review process. According to Sara Meyers (MPP ’09), “The aim is to protect citizens, businesses, grantees, and nonprofits from having to provide information the government doesn’t truly need. It’s all well-intentioned, but the resulting choreography is a nightmare.”
Meyers points out that while the PRA intends to reduce paperwork, it has led to more internal paperwork within government agencies. She writes, “In attempting to reduce burden and paperwork, the PRA paradoxically creates more of it within government. Compliance requires agencies to comprehensively detail and justify every bit of information they plan to collect from the public. Because of the long procedural timeline, agencies are often forced to submit this documentation well before critical program and implementation details are ironed out. The process obstructs iteration and comes with an opportunity cost, wasting effort that could have been directed at meaningful program development.”
The Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University is recognized for its focus on education and research in planning and public policy aimed at promoting equitable and sustainable communities. The school offers undergraduate and graduate programs in areas such as public policy, health administration, urban planning, as well as research centers focused on transportation and health topics. More details about its programs can be found on its official website.
Since 2013, the school has recognized distinguished alumni through its Hall of Fame alongside annual achievement awards dating back to 1994 (source). Its research centers support social impact efforts in community development, workforce advancement, transportation policy, energy issues, and health (source). The school’s graduate urban planning program ranks third nationally while its undergraduate public health program holds fourth place (source).
Part of Rutgers University—the State University of New Jersey—the Bloustein School emphasizes building socially inclusive and healthy communities locally and globally (source). Stuart Shapiro became dean in 2023 (source). The school’s programs are accredited by national bodies such as the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (source), reflecting a commitment to high educational standards.
The institution provides various degree options including master’s degrees in public policy, health administration, public informatics along with undergraduate studies (source). Established in 1992 as part of former Rutgers President Bloustein’s vision for enhancing public service partnerships (source), it marked its 25th anniversary in 2016 (source) at its location in New Brunswick (source).
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