GOVERNING: State government news on politics, management & financ en-us GOVERNING magazine provides leading intelligence articles on management, policy and politics to help guide and inspire innovative leaders across state and local government. Sun, 19 May 14:21:06 PDT Illinois Lawmakers' Dilemma: 2 Ways to Fix Public Pensions http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-illinois-public-pension-reform-dilemma.html Wed, 15 May 14:0:00 PDT State lawmakers moving to fix the nation's worst-funded pension system have a choice: a plan that saves a lot of money or one that might survive a court challenge. A New Way to Tame the Public-Pension Beast? http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-adjustable-pension-plan-defined-benefit-contribution-cash-balance.html Wed, 8 May 14:0:00 PDT Adjustable pension plans could help governments control both risk and their out-of-control retiree-benefit costs. When Data Drives Innovation http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-innovations-awards-top-25-initiatives-data-driven-innovation.html Wed, 1 May 16:30:00 PDT Many of the top entrants for Innovations Awards demonstrate that technology applied creatively can shift governments from reactive service delivery to prescriptive solutions. Can Vocational Education Produce the Citizens We Need? http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-vocational-education-academic-standards.html Wed, 24 Apr 14:0:00 PDT Students on the technical track need solid academics, not just job training. It's important to spend these public-education dollars wisely. Public Workers, Secret Pensions http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-massachusetts-bay-tranportation-authority-pension-information-secrecy.html Thu, 18 Apr 14:0:00 PDT Under an unusual arrangement dating back to 1948, information about the Boston-area transit agency's pension system doesn't have to be made public. That may soon change, and it ought to. Infrastructure at the Speed of Light http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-indiana-public-private-partnership-ohio-river-bridges-project.html Wed, 17 Apr 14:0:00 PDT It took just a year for Indiana officials to put together a major public-private bridge project. How did they do it? Can Data-Driven Education Close the Achievement Gap? http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-education-rocketship-poverty-race-based-achievement-gap.html Thu, 11 Apr 8:0:00 PDT A Silicon Valley nonprofit wants to take its ideas into thousands of classrooms. It's an experiment worth watching. The Right Way to Manage a Government Contract http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-illinois-lottery-revenue-20-million-fine-private-contractor.html Wed, 3 Apr 14:0:00 PDT The Illinois Lottery is showing that government officials can hold their own with their private-sector counterparts. The Games of Government http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-video-games-local-government-public-services.html Mon, 1 Apr 14:0:00 PDT By using video games to engage citizens in improving their communities, governments can tap into a powerful force: fun. A Few Hundred Innovative Ideas for Urban Governance http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-mayors-challenge-innovative-ideas-urban-governance.html Wed, 27 Mar 14:0:00 PDT The five winners of the Mayors Challenge are the cream of a bounteous crop.