Recent articles by Peter Harkness from governing.com http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=87483687 Peter Harkness, founder and publisher emeritus of GOVERNING, now serves as a co-writer of the Potomac Chronicle column. He launched GOVERNING in 1987 after serving as editor and deputy publisher of the Congressional Quarterly news service. What (Not) to Expect from Congress This Session http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/col-what-not-to-expect-from-congress.html Congress is back, but don’t expect the players in this sad comedy to know or care much about how any pieces of legislation they pass will affect our states, regions or metros. Feds Must be Part of the Climate-Change Equation http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/col-feds-must-be-part-of-climate-change-equation.html The problems associated with climate change can’t improve without collaboration between federal, state and local governments. How Boomers, Millennials and Immigrants Are Changing America http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/col-boomers-millennials-immigrants-changing-america.html These demographics will have a profound effect on the needs of the country, and state and local officials need to take notice. Federalism from the Bottom Up http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/col-federalism-from-bottom-up.html More than ever, the feds need states and local regions to take the lead in crafting promising new programs. Who Pays for Superstorm Sandy? http://www.governing.com/columns/col-who-pays-for-superstorm-sandy.html States don’t just want money to rebuild -- they want money to make far-reaching changes to infrastructure too. It's Time for States, Localities to Think Boldly http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/col-states-localities-must-think-boldly.html Elections and governance have become so intertwined that it’s hard to know when campaigns begin or end. We do know we need big ideas. Washington, D.C.’s Other 1-Percent Problem http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/col-washingtons-other-problem.html The nation’s capital is more about what you own these days than what you do. The Politics of Rising Tuition Costs http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/col-politics-of-rising-tuition.html Obama blames the states, but the problem is more complicated. Public Universities Reach a Tipping Point http://www.governing.com/topics/education/gov-public-universities-reach-tipping-point.html Severe funding cuts and the record-high numbers of people going to college are forcing state university systems to make tough decisions about financial aid, curriculums, research and more. The Affordable Care Act: A Case Study for Cooperative Federalism? http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/col-affordable-care-act-case-study-for-cooperative-federalism.html If the health reform law is upheld, the flexibility it will give states on health insurance exchanges could be a model for healthy federal-state relations. Despite Corruption Concerns, D.C. Improves Services http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/col-despite-corrupt-politicians-district-of-columbia-improves-government-services.html Amid several ethics scandals, the city government has dramatically improved its delivery of services -- even as demand has increased. What Brand of Federalism Is Next? http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/gov-col-what-brand-of-federalism-is-next.html Obama’s mixed approach of coercion and collaboration seems to be working, but that may not last. Housing Policy Deserves a Demotion http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/housing-policy-deserves-demotion.html GOVERNING Publisher Emeritus Peter Harkness says it may be time for government to get out of the business of promoting homeownership. Severe Budget Cuts Ahead http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/severe-budget-cuts-ahead.html With stimulus funding gone, a misinformed citizenry is unprepared for the funding cuts on the horizon. Cities Must Find the Economy's Fix http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/cities-must-find-the-economys-fix.html With Washington paralyzed by its debt and states facing deficits, the pressure is on local governments to raise more revenue or make significant structural changes to reduce costs.