about the book

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.

Reilly, like many Americans, believes the time is right to rethink how we compensate and manage public employees and that we have lost sight of the public interest. As a university professor, former county chief executive officer (CEO) for Clark County Nevada (Las Vegas Valley) and governance and organizational consultant he has hands on experience working and navigating public sector rules, regulations and policies.

what people
are saying

"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.

Reilly’s penetrating study is both practically plainspoken and broadly and deeply informed academically... [It] is an essential study for public policy officials, civic leaders, and professional administrators as well as a choice textbook in today’s most urgent human resoureces challenges." expand

- Chester A. Newland

Emeritus Duggan Distinguished Professor of Public Administration, University of Southern California; and Former Director, Federal Executive Institute

"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. " expand

- Heather H. Murren, CFA

Former Commissioner Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission

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Book Reviews

Review by Charles E. Menifield, University of Missouri–Columbia

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... Read full review at NASPAA.org

The Nevada Review: Rethinking Public Sector Compensation

The current fiscal crises in the United States and Europe have revealed many problem areas on national balance sheets. Failing bond markets, economic bubbles, lack of consumer confidence, and other topics have dominated the news since the global downturn began in earnest in 2008... Read more from The Nevada Review

Thom in the Media

The Federal Government’s Pension Cost Overload

Watch on FOX Business

California Pension Legislation

Pension deal reflects Democratic, union ties

SACRAMENTO -- Union leaders grumbled this week when Gov. Jerry Brown released a compromise deal with Democrats to scale back pension benefits for the state's public employees, but it was far less than a resounding victory for the Democratic governor... Read more from KGO-TV SAN FRANCISCO

Interview on Wall Street Journal Radio

Huge government pension gap sparks backlash

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) - Pensions and other retirement benefits have become a multi-trillion-dollar black hole for state and local government budgets, sparking fierce battles between elected officials and voters on one side and public sector unions on the other... Read more from CNN MONEY