Recent articles by Heather Kerrigan from governing.com 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. How Tennessee Plans to Solve Its IT Problems 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. Financial Advice: Paying for Your MPA and MPP Degree http://www.governing.com/columns/gov-paying-for-mpa-mpp-degree.html Payment options abound, but read the fine print first. Understanding the Value of the MPA and MPP Degree 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? Washington Targets Veterans for State Employment 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. Wisconsin Reignites the Residency Debate 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. What Graduate Degree Program Is Best for You? http://www.governing.com/columns/gov-what-graduate-degree-program-best.html How to decide between an MPA and an MPP degree. Early Retirement Incentives Making a Comeback 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. Smokers Need Not Apply: Government Hiring Bans 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. How Did 2012 Treat Public Employees? 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. Government Unprepared for Boomers’ Mass Exodus 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. Public Employee in Need of a Loan? Ask Virginia. 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. Why Public-Sector Strikes Are So Rare http://www.governing.com/topics/public-workforce/col-why-public-sector-strikes-are-rare.html Public employees don't have the right to strike in 39 states. What other options do they have for getting what they want? Albuquerque Teaches and Promotes Public Service http://www.governing.com/columns/col-albuquerque-public-service-university.html The city-funded "university" prepares public workers for the jobs they want and aims to reverse the sometimes negative view of government. Teleworking in Texas http://www.governing.com/topics/public-workforce/col-teleworking-in-texas.html The Lone Star State's health and human services agencies are looking to boost their virtual workforce, hoping to increase productivity and save money. Testing Employees to Find the Best http://www.governing.com/columns/col-testing-employees-to-find-best.html Albuquerque, N.M., was chosen as a pilot city to see if assessing job candidates' career readiness could reduce turnover as well as hiring time and training costs.