Quick Facts on Helsinki City Government (Seattle Forward)

May 22, 2008

Quick Facts on Helsinki City Government

Today (Thursday) is the second-to-last-day of our visit to Helsinki before we move on to St. Petersburg, Russia. Here are a few quick facts gleaned from various presentations and discussions our delegation has had with city leaders—

* The City Council has 85 members. Yikes! But the Council appoints a 15-member City Board to serve as an executive committee which administers city government.

* The annual operating budget is nearly $6 billion, six times Seattle's annual budget. Municipalities in Finland are responsible for all social services, public education (K-11 essentially), preschool, transportation, and fire services. Police services are provided by the federal government; there is one national police force.

* Twenty percent of all workers in Helsinki (population about 560,000) work for the government.

* Helsinki is clean, orderly, and efficient. There are bike paths everywhere. The streetcar system is wonderful. And it's bustling with energy.

The photo was taken in the Helsinki City Council chambers. That's my colleagues Jan Drago and Tom Rasmussen standing next to me.

Posted by Tim Burgess on May 22, 2008 at 08:32 AM in Current Affairs, Education, Human Services, Public Safety, Transportation | Permalink

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Burgess Bookshelf

Snyder, Timothy: Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary
This book, along with Snyder's earlier, On Tyranny, is packed full of useful policy ideas that can help rebuild our country. Snyder's understanding of the rising threat of authoritarianism is exactly what needs to be understood today, coupled with his diagnosis of how we have failed to support all of the people of America.
Putnam, Robert D.: The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again
Here's a hope filled historical review of how America has made itself more inclusive and equitable and can do it again. Very encouraging.
Sacks, Jonathan: Morality: Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times
Rabbi Sacks' book is essential reading, in my opinion, especially now when freedom is under such attack. His wisdom fills every page, his defense of liberal democracy is compelling.
Epstein, David: Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World
This is a compelling and great read. I love it since I'm a generalist.
McCaulley, Esau: Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope
While the white Christian church, especially evangelicalism, was the dominant influence in my family of origin and my youth, I've learned so much more recently from the Black church. McCaulley's book is a very good introduction to Black theology and biblical interpretation.
Yglesias, Matthew: One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Bigger
A critical thinker and blogger, Yglesias lays out a vision for America that is more inclusive and equitable; includes good sections on early learning and the crucial value of immigration.
Thomas E. Ricks: Churchill and Orwell: The Fight for Freedom
This book examines the lives and efforts of two men who never met each other but who helped save democracy leading up to and during World War II. Another much read for those who are worried about the American condition today.
Timothy Snyder: The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America
From the author of "On Tyranny" comes another pithy look at how freedom and democracy can be destroyed from within.
Greg Weiner: American Burke: The Uncommon Liberalism of Daniel Patrick Moynihan (American Political Thought)
Fascinating account of the former New York Senator; good friend and colleague of our own Senator Henry Jackson.
Steven Levitsky & Daniel Liblatt: How Democracies Die
This is a must read for people concerned about the future of our democracy. One of their main points is that democracies begin to fail when the norms of civil discourse and the rule of law begin to crumble. We are seeing that happen before our very eyes today.