Recent articles by J.B. Wogan from governing.com http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=185676182 J.B. Wogan is a Governing staff writer. Arizona's Proof-of-Citizenship Requirement for Voters Struck Down http://www.governing.com/topics/public-justice-safety/gov-scotus-supreme-court-rejects-arizona-proof-citizenship-requirement-federal-voter-registration.html A ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court blocks proof-of-citizenship requirements on federal voter registration forms, but leaves open the possibility of amending the form to include Arizona's stricter standard for verifying citizenship. Haley Barbour and Jeb Bush Sell Immigration Reform as Economic Boost for States http://www.governing.com/news/state/gov-barbour-bush-push-immigration-reform.html Immigration reform could save states money and boost the economy, said former governors Haley Barbour and Jeb Bush at a recent forum. Localities Push Pennsylvania to Reconsider Requiring People to Report Missing Guns http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-pennsylvania-bill-to-require-missing-gun-reporting-reconsidered.html After 30 municipalities passed laws requiring residents to tell police when their guns disappear, the legislature is reconsidering a statewide proposal that failed in 2008 to do just that. Gun-Control Group Sues Nelson, Georgia over New Law Requiring Gun Ownership http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-brady-center-battles-city-over-right-not-to-bear-arms.html The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence is suing the city of Nelson, Ga., over its new ordinance requiring residents to own firearms. The lawsuit's outcome could impact other places with gun mandates. How Former OMB Director Shelley Metzenbaum Plans to Restore Public Confidence in Government http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-shelley-metzenbaum-wants-you-to-trust-government-again.html A former leader at the Office of Management and Budget hopes to use her new position to restore public confidence in government. Here's how she plans to do it. Biggest Critic of Gov. Cuomo’s Pension Plan is His Former Ally http://www.governing.com/topics/finance/gov-cuomos-biggest-critic-is-former-ally.html Stephanie Miner, the mayor of Syracuse and co-chair of the state’s Democratic Party thanks to Andrew Cuomo himself, refuses to abide by the governor’s newly enacted law affecting local pension plans. Technology Threatens Public Officials’ Personal Safety http://www.governing.com/topics/public-justice-safety/gov-technology-threatens-public-officials-safety.html Several high-profile government officials were killed this year. Standing in the public light has always had its risks, but they’re higher than ever as tracking an official’s whereabouts can be as simple as following their Twitter feed. Florida, LexisNexis Partner to Combat Public Assistance Fraud http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-florida-lexisnexis-partner-combat-public-assistance-fraud.html A pilot program, which could soon spread to other states, uses software to automatically verify a person's identity when they apply for Medicaid, welfare or food stamps. How Do State and Local Government Officials View Gun Control? http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-how-do-state-and-local-government-officials-view-gun-control.html Most state and local public officials favor universal background checks, however, support varies when it comes to other proposals to prevent gun violence. Will San Francisco's Kindergartener Bank Accounts Catch On? http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-why-san-francisco-gave-every-kindergartener-in-public-school-a-bank-account.html San Francisco was the first city to create college savings accounts for every kindergartener in public school. Now other jurisdictions are contemplating a similar program. Cities' Anti-Terror Grants at Risk Under President's Reform Proposal http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-cities-anti-terror-grants-at-risk-under-presidents-reform-proposal.html Federal grants that aided police in the Boston Marathon bombing have shrunk in recent years and are at risk of further cuts under the president's reform proposal. 10 New State Laws That Loosen Gun Restrictions http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/10-new-laws-that-loosen-states-gun-restrictions.html While some states have tightened gun restrictions since last year's mass shootings, many in the South and Midwest have passed new laws being celebrated by the National Rifle Association. Why States Are Using Welfare to Pay for Housing http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-why-states-are-using-TANF-to-pay-for-rapid-rehousing.html A program to lift people out of homelessness under President Obama's stimulus package yielded some encouraging early results, but lacks a long-term funding source. Some states are turning to welfare. States Look to Reduce Part-Time Lawmakers’ Bias http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/gov-states-look-to-reduce-part-time-lawmakers-bias.html Most state lawmakers supplement their legislative job with one in the private sector. To reduce the conflicts of interest that inevitably arise from this, states are considering revising their ethics laws. Tying Welfare Benefits to Grades Meets Resistance in Tennessee http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-tying-welfare-grades-tennessee-bill.html Should welfare benefits be tethered to a students' performance in school? One Tennessee legislator thinks so, but he's gotten national backlash for his proposal.