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. As Shutdown Begins, State Unemployment Offices See Surge in Federal Worker Applications http://www.governing.com/blogs/fedwatch/gov-state-unemployment-offices-see-surge-applications-federal-workers.html On the first day of the shutdown, state unemployment offices in the mid-Atlantic received an unusual number of applications from federal employees -- some getting more in one day than an entire year. Federal Shutdown Could Disrupt Ceremony for Fallen Firefighters http://www.governing.com/blogs/fedwatch/gov-federal-shutdown-would-disrupt-national-ceremony-for-fallen-firefighters.html A national memorial service for fallen firefighters would lose access to a venue, and other needed facilities, if the federal government shutdown persists. How Will the Sharing Economy Change the Way Cities Function? http://www.governing.com/topics/urban/gov-how-sharing-economy-will-change-cities.html Ride-sharing services and the uncertainty about how or whether to regulate them like taxi cabs illustrate a world where “ownership” is a rapidly changing concept. Poverty Rates Remain Stubbornly High in Big Cities http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-poverty-rates-remain-stubbornly-high-big-cities.html In 54 big cities and towns, at least a quarter of the population lived below the federal poverty line last year, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau. How Connecticut’s Breaking Down the Traditional Caseworker Model http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/gov-connecticut-breaking-traditional-caseworker-model.html Facing smaller staffs and budgets, nearly every state or local agency serving the poor has struggled to do so in a timely manner. A new approach in Connecticut is getting social services to people cheaper and faster. HUD Releases Emergency Funds to Soften the Sequester's Impact http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-hud-releases-emergency-funds-soften-squesters-impact.html Local housing authorities are in dire straits. Without funds, some may have to eliminate rental assistance. Oakland's Debit-ID Cards That Aim to Help Unbanked, Immigrants Catching On http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-are-municipal-ID-cards-the-best-way-to-bank-the-unbanked.html In the hopes of helping immigrants and the unbanked, the city was the nation's first to offer cards that act as an ID and a prepaid debit card. For a product targeted at low-income people, though, critics charge the cards are too expensive. Cities Launch Anti-Poverty Centers http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-nyc-center-economic-ppportunity-cities-launch-antipoverty-centers.html With federal support for social service programs dwindling, cities are looking for new ways to combat poverty. Connecticut May be 1st State to Codify Animal-Assisted Therapy for Trauma Victims http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-animal-assisted-therapy-law-connecticut.html State officials found dogs to be helpful therapeutic aids for counseling the surviving children of the mass school shooting. A new law may make Connecticut the first state with a formal animal-assisted therapy program for trauma victims. More States Consider Billing Risky Rescues to Make Thrill-Seekers Think Again http://www.governing.com/topics/public-justice-safety/gov-states-consider-billing-reckless-rescues.html At least three states already allow and more are considering allowing localities to charge citizens for what can be dangerous and expensive rescues that occur when recklessness (like kayaking during a flood) is involved. Study: Most of Mayors' Talk of Lowering Crime is Symbolic http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-when-mayors-talk-about-crime-does-it-mean-anything.html Mayors talk a lot about lowering crime, according to a new study, but their words often carry no weight for creating change. Cities, Counties Praise Senate for Immigration Bill http://www.governing.com/news/local/gov-cities-counties-praise-senate-for-immigration-bill.html Local government associations support the basic principles for immigration reform that are in the Senate bill. Mississippi AG Jim Hood: The Last Democrat in Dixie http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/gov-mississippi-ag-jim-hood-last-dem-in-dixie.html Somebody forgot to tell Mississippi’s attorney general that his party doesn’t win in the Deep South anymore. Who Should Regulate Guns? http://www.governing.com/blogs/fedwatch/gov-who-should-regulate-guns.html After gun control measures failed in Washington, states are taking matters into their own hands. New Child Well-Being Rankings Released http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-new-child-well-geing-rankings-released.html The 2013 Kids Count data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation had some unexpected surprises.