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. Thu, 9 Feb 15:15:39 PST The Plastic Bag Ban: A Battle of Socio-Economic Policy http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/gov-the-plastic-bag-ban-battle-of-socio-economic-policy.html Tue, 31 Jan 12:0:00 PST This latest skirmish shows how localities, not the feds, are driving eco-policy. What Brand of Federalism Is Next? http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/gov-col-what-brand-of-federalism-is-next.html Sun, 1 Jan 12:0:00 PST Obama’s mixed approach of coercion and collaboration seems to be working, but that may not last. 2012 Presidential Candidates Challenge Mandates http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/2012-presidential-candidates-challenge-mandates.html Wed, 30 Nov 12:0:00 PST Republicans and Democrats call for fewer mandates. Both parties, however, have yet to answer fundamental questions about what government should do and how it should pay for it. Housing Policy Deserves a Demotion http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/housing-policy-deserves-demotion.html Mon, 31 Oct 12:0:00 PDT GOVERNING Publisher Emeritus Peter Harkness says it may be time for government to get out of the business of promoting homeownership. 2011 May Mark the End of Federal Aid http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/2011-may-mark-end-federal-aid.html Fri, 30 Sep 12:0:00 PDT The modern era of federal aid championed by President Nixon and his “new federalism” program draws to a close. Severe Budget Cuts Ahead http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/severe-budget-cuts-ahead.html Wed, 31 Aug 12:0:00 PDT With stimulus funding gone, a misinformed citizenry is unprepared for the funding cuts on the horizon. China Looks West for Performance Management http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/china-looks-west-performance-management.html Fri, 29 Jul 12:0:00 PDT China embraces performance management in an effort to wring out greater productivity and transparency. Cities Must Find the Economy's Fix http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/cities-must-find-the-economys-fix.html Thu, 30 Jun 12:0:00 PDT With Washington paralyzed by its debt and states facing deficits, the pressure is on local governments to raise more revenue or make significant structural changes to reduce costs. The Policy Battle Behind Chocolate Milk http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/The-Policy-Battle-Behind-Chocolate-Milk.html Tue, 31 May 7:55:00 PDT As schools opt for healthier lunch options, governments are pitted against the powerful dairy industry. The Truth about Bankruptcy http://www.governing.com/columns/potomac-chronicle/Truth-about-Bankruptcy.html Fri, 29 Apr 12:0:00 PDT Exaggerating problems is more about politics than budget balancing.