Recent articles by Paul W. Taylor from governing.com http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=89402662 Paul W. Taylor is the editor-at-large of GOVERNING, Chief Content Officer for e.Republic, Inc. and senior advisor to the Center for Digital Government. Changing Demographics Spelling the End of Culture Wars http://www.governing.com/columns/dispatch/col-changing-demographics-may-end-culture-wars.html From same-sex marriage to marijuana, millennials are changing our culture as their proportion of the population increases. Supreme Court Looks at State Public Records Rules http://www.governing.com/columns/dispatch/col-supreme-court-looks-at-state-public-records-rules.html A case before the nation’s highest court could change the way citizens, journalists and entrepreneurs access government-held information. Manufacturing in 3-D http://www.governing.com/columns/dispatch/col-manufacturing-in-3d.html Three-dimensional printing could be the next big economic engine. The Tricky Business of Commercial Advertising in Public Places http://www.governing.com/columns/dispatch/col-commercial-advertising-in-public-places.html Public transit systems have accepted advertising for a long time. But it’s not always without controversy. What Privacy Means to Americans vs. Europeans http://www.governing.com/columns/dispatch/col-what-privacy-means-americans-vs-europeans.html Experts are worried that disparate privacy rules between the two could pose a threat to future growth. Is Universal Phone Service a Sleeper Issue to Watch in 2013? http://www.governing.com/columns/col-universal-phone-service-sleeper-issue.html There are conflicting pressures on the universal service fee to maintain “plain old telephone service” on one hand and help pay for a broadband future on the other. Santa Claus and a Civics Lesson http://www.governing.com/columns/col-santa-claus-future-of-civics.html A 115-year-old editorial on the existence of Santa Claus sheds light on the future of civics in America. Georgia Attracts Unlikely Students to Government Jobs http://www.governing.com/columns/dispatch/col-ga-attracts-unlikely-students-to-govt-jobs.html An internship program in Georgia is hoping to open young minds to a career in public service. Electric Vehicles’ Role in Meeting New Efficiency Rules http://www.governing.com/columns/dispatch/col-electric-vehicles-role-in-new-efficiency-rules.html One man’s test of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure along the West Coast highlights the hurdles ahead for states and localities in meeting the Obama administration’s new fuel efficiency rules. Rethinking the Parking Lot http://www.governing.com/columns/dispatch/col-rethinking-parking-lot.html Everything we know about the automobile is under scrutiny, and so is everything we know about the parking lot. Should they be made of concrete or grass? Is their greatest purpose to generate revenue, store cars or act as a public space for people? Social Media and Public Finance: The Odd Couple http://www.governing.com/columns/dispatch/col-social-media-place-in-finance.html Public finance departments are significantly less likely than government in general to use social media or see its value in engaging with constituents. It might be time for this to change. North Carolina Politics Get in the Way of Governing http://www.governing.com/columns/dispatch/col-north-carolina-politics-governing.html Gov. Bev Perdue and at least 30 state lawmakers have decided not to run for reelection this fall, many of them citing the loss of civility and willingness to compromise when it comes to doing the public’s business. Legislative Organization Brings Political Parties Together http://www.governing.com/columns/dispatch/col-legislative-organization-eschews-politics.html The State Legislative Leaders Foundation strives to provide “serious learning experiences” for its core constituency of about 500 legislative officials -- regardless of what party they belong to. Mayor Brenda Lawrence Walks a Mile in Their Shoes http://www.governing.com/columns/dispatch/col-mayor-brenda-lawrences-walks-mile-in-shoes.html In Southfield, Mich., the mayor takes early morning walks with her constituents – a move that’s changed the physical and civic health of her city. Recession Recovery: Local Governments Must Guide the Way http://www.governing.com/columns/dispatch/col-recession-recovery-local-governments-must-guide-way.html People are finally starting to bounce back from the recession, and they’re looking to local governments -- not the feds or the states -- to guide them into a better future.