Recent articles by Susan K. Urahn from governing.com http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=137758828 Susan K. Urahn is executive vice president of the Pew Charitable Trusts, where she leads Pew’s efforts to help states identify and implement policies that are fiscally sound and provide a return on investment to taxpayers. The Immigration Debate We're Not Having http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-immigration-state-local-government-preparation-research-public-discussion-.html No matter what Washington does, it will fall to the states and localities to address the social, fiscal and economic effects. We need to talk about how that will play out. When Local Governments' Pensions Are Beyond Their Control http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-local-government-pension-connection-state-policy.html Many cities and counties are tied to state pension systems. That can be a liability, but it also can be an asset. Building an Election System that Works http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-improving-voting-process-pew-elections-performance-index.html A new tool gives administrators and policymakers crucial benchmarking data they need to make the voting process fair, accurate and convenient. Collaboration, Technology and the Lessons of Election Day http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-collaboration-technology-voting-information-accessibility.html Last year's elections demonstrated how teamwork between governments and the technology sector can make voting information more accessible, save taxpayer dollars and improve the efficiency of the voting process. The Unknown Impact of Federal Fiscal Decisions http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-federal-fiscal-decisions-impact-state-government-budgets.html The "sequester" and other looming federal budget actions will affect governments at every level. These fiscal decisions will be made without adequate data and without the intergovernmental forums we need. The Power of Incentives for Performance http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-performance-incentive-funding-corrections-probationers.html Corrections is one area in which a handful of states and their local governments are seeing big improvements in results — and saving millions in the process — through a novel funding approach. Showing the Way on Tax Incentives http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-states-tax-incentives-economic-development.html States generally don’t measure whether the billions of dollars in tax breaks they hand out for economic development are working. But there are some worthwhile efforts under way. Technology for a 21st-Century Democracy http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-pew-voting-technology-registration-state-collaboration-data-center.html The outdated systems we use to register voters are often inaccurate, costly and inefficient. A new collaboration among states promises to go a long way toward bringing these systems into the modern age. The Cost-Benefit Imperative http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-cost-benefit-outcomes-states-results-first.html A group of states is adapting a successful model to target scarce funds for the greatest return on investment.