Biden Challenge

Former U.S. Vice President, Joseph R. Biden, spoke to NASPAA in October 2017 to issue the Biden Initiative. His keynote called attention to the importance and relevance of the thought leaders in the room. Biden stated that NASPAA schools and faculty have the ability more than any other group to make an impact on the future of public service. He said, "you have the mission to promote and revitalize public service; it's part of what you do." He specifically challenged NASPAA schools to study and devise policies to revitalize the middle class. Calling this one of the greatest issues of our time, he asked, "What policy solutions do you propose to ensure Americans are growing and thriving in the middle class and continue to be relevant?" Looking to the future, what investments should be made, how should budget priorities be adjusted, and what should tax policy be? Biden held there was "a lot of brain power here" with the NASPAA audience and he looked forward to convening again in a year to share ideas and further study of income inequality and its public administration consequences. The Biden Initiative is sponsored by the University of Delaware and the Biden Institute.

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