http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=87483782 Heather Kerrigan is a GOVERNING contributor. She pens the monthly Public Workforce column and contributes to the print magazine. http://www.governing.com/blogs/fedwatch/gov-obamacare-cadillac-tax-reinsurance-fee.html In the next few years, states and localities will face new fees and taxes on the health plans they offer. One of their biggest challenges may be keeping employees informed even though the feds are leaving them in the dark. http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-pension-reform-roundup.html We examine proposals still brewing in legislatures, how already-enacted reforms are playing out, and the model based on one of the world's strongest pension systems that a Canadian province is using to keep costs under control. http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-colorado-employee-assistance-program-improves-mental-health.html Colorado's unique program, which offers free counseling to public workers, improves employees' mental health and yields state savings. http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-what-tennessee-can-learn-from-colorado-hillsborough-county.html Tennessee is asking its 1,600 IT employees to reapply for their jobs. The state may learn from Colorado and Hillsborough County, Fla., which have both overhauled their workforces in this way. http://www.governing.com/columns/col-tennessee-plans-solve-technology-IT-problems-public-workforce.html In an effort to keep employees and their skills up to date, the Volunteer State is urging 1,600 IT workers to reapply for their jobs. http://www.governing.com/columns/gov-paying-for-mpa-mpp-degree.html Payment options abound, but read the fine print first. http://www.governing.com/columns/gov-understanding-value-of-mpa-mpp-degrees.html What are the benefits to a degree that puts you on a government career track? http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-washington-state-targets-veterans.html As troops begin returning home from Afghanistan, states are looking for ways to reduce veterans' high unemployment rate. Washington state wants to hire them. http://www.governing.com/columns/col-wisconsin-reignites-residency-requirement-debate.html Should public employees be required to live in the jurisdictions they serve? Gov. Scott Walker doesn't think so. http://www.governing.com/columns/gov-what-graduate-degree-program-best.html How to decide between an MPA and an MPP degree. http://www.governing.com/columns/col-early-retirement-incentives-making-comeback.html Several municipalities offered early retirement incentives to public workers last year. What impact such incentives have on budgets and services, however, is up for debate. http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-smoker-hiring-bans-increasing.html Governments argue that no longer hiring smokers would free up some much-needed funds. http://www.governing.com/columns/col-year-in-review-public-workforce.html Unions took a blow in Michigan this week. We review how the entire year impacted unions as well as government hiring, pensions and retirement. http://www.governing.com/topics/public-workforce/gov-government-unprepared-for-boomers-mass-exodus.html The mass exodus of baby boomers from the workforce has been a crisis in the making for years. Yet in many cases the public sector is still not prepared. http://www.governing.com/topics/public-workforce/col-virginia-employee-loan-program.html Virginia is likely the only state to offer its employees short-term, low-interest loans for noneducation-related reasons -- and at virtually no cost to the state.