Recent articles by Paul L. Posner from governing.com http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=87483832 Paul L. Posner, director of the public administration program at George Mason University, is a former federal official, a former president of the American Society for Public Administration, and author of "The Politics of Unfunded Mandates." The Flexibility We Need to Budget for the Unknowable http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-long-term-fiscal-projections-rigid-advance-funding-rules.html Analysis of long-term government commitments such as pensions is important, but overly rigid funding rules are a formula for intergenerational conflict. Can Performance Help in Reducing Deficits? http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-state-local-federal-government-performance-measurement-budget-cuts.html Making spending decisions based on evidence and analysis can be hardest to do in times of austerity, but that's precisely when these tools are most useful. The Political Reality of the Stimulus http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-political-reality-economic-stimulus-obama-roosevelt-decentralized-government.html Given the decentralization of our modern governmental system, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the nation isn't showering President Obama with the gratitude it felt for FDR. The Folly of Praying for a Crisis http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-folly-praying-crisis-fiscal-environmental-challenges.html The fiscal and environmental disasters that we know are going to happen need to be dealt with now. The Daunting Challenge of Following the Federal Money http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-recovery-act-transparency-challenge-following-federal-money.html As funding from Washington makes its way to the service-delivery level, it follows a complex path. We need a better understanding of where it goes and how it's used. The Supreme Court and the Remaking of Federalism http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-supreme-court-health-care-ruling-coercion-states-federalism.html In its health-care ruling, the court limited Washington’s coercive powers over the states in ways that could have profound consequences — and perhaps unintended ones. When Is a Federal Mandate Coercion? http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-supreme-court-health-reform-medicaid-mandate-coercion.html The Supreme Court’s consideration of the health law highlights the need for a new look at the boundaries of our federal system. The Political Ironies of the Health-Reform Case http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-supreme-court-federalism-political-irony-health-reform-mandate.html A Supreme Court ruling that strikes down the health-reform mandates would have a profound impact on our federal system — one that ultimately might backfire on the law’s opponents. What the Federal Budget Doesn’t Tell Us http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-federal-budget-state-local-broader-perspective-public-sector.html As usual, the White House’s spending plan is getting all the attention. What we should be looking at is how we spend across the public sector. Should Washington Budget Like the States? http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/state-federal-budget-process-reforms.html Balanced-budget mandates and biennial budgeting are popular ideas for fixing the federal budgeting process. But what works in state capitols isn’t the right approach for Capitol Hill. The Continuing Conflict over Standards http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/state-federal-business-setting-voluntary-standards-preemption.html Business has had a lot of success setting voluntary standards that prevent regulation from Washington. States are having a harder time finding the cohesion to do the same. Volunteering for Fiscal Sacrifice http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/should-local-governments-volunteer-fiscal-sacrifice-deficit-reduction.html Federal deficit reduction in the trillions is on the way. Rather than being served up for dinner, it would be far better if state and local governments were helping the feds prepare the meal. Can't We All Get Along? Collaboration in Crisis http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/collaboration-in-crisis.html When all governments in our federal system suffer from common maladies, joint solutions are preferable. State Resistance http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/State-Resistance.html What are the forces behind the contentious current fight to redefine federalism? Coming to Grips with Fiscal Realities http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/Coming-to-Grips-with.html Financial pressures demand transformation but transformative government demands broad authority -- something federal policies make difficult.