Recent Issues

Table of Contents

August 2008

Contents from the print magazine, with links to selected articles and columns posted online. Learn more about subscribing.

Features

August 2008 cover

Lifeline

Public hospitals and their mission are in decline. But don't try telling that to Dallas' Parkland.

A Government Adrift

South Carolina still runs on its 1895 constitution. Guess what? It doesn't work.

Web Xtra: South Carolina's "Libertarian" Governor

Data Defender

New York's Will Pelgrin helps his state — and others — fight cyber attacks from all over the world.

Public Pension Prowess

Some state pension plans are doing so well that the private sector could use their advice.

Hush Money

Why are tax-incentive deals almost always negotiated in private?

Web Xtra: Meet the man behind the tax-incentive game

Glimpse

Beyond Hot Dogs: Some cities want their street food to take on new flavors.

Up Front

Publisher's Desk

A farewell from Peter Harkness.

Publisher's Desk

A letter from Governing's new publisher and editor.

Assessments

Alan Ehrenhalt on what "state senator" and "U.S. senator" mean on a presidential candidate's resume.

Observer

Puffing away the tobacco settlement, making milk from Medicaid fraud, and the backlash against bottled water.

Urban Notebook

Metro-focused federalism, and Philly's new planning politics.

Player

Jon Stryker: Michigan Money Man.

Potomac Chronicle

What we've learned in the three years since Hurricane Katrina.

The Business of Government

Lead Story

Can states afford to give pensioners cost-of-living adjustments?

Management

Briefing: How do you solve a problem like Vallejo?

Transportation

The feds' on-again, off-again commitment to transportation.

Finance

Briefing: Gambling revenues hit a run of bad luck.

Environment

Cleaning up runoff that pollutes waterways.

Health

Briefing: Maryland helps vets get access to mental health services.

Tech Talk

Saving energy with computer-controlled lighting.

Conference Report

Using technology to improve service, enhance value and create community.

Economic Development

The new future of old-economy manufacturing