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. Tue, 21 May 19:55:00 PDT Gun Debate Revives the Pension-Investment Dispute http://www.governing.com/columns/public-money/col-gun-debate-revives-pension-investment-dispute.html Tue, 30 Apr 9:0:00 PDT When there’s public outcry over something -- whether it’s gun control or apartheid -- states and cities reevaluate what their pension plans invest in. But should they be social investing at all? How to Talk About Tax Expenditures http://www.governing.com/columns/public-money/col-how-to-talk-about-tax-expenditures.html Fri, 29 Mar 9:0:00 PDT There are ways to take some of the partisan heat out of the discussion. New Rules Could Clear the Path to Pension Reform http://www.governing.com/columns/public-money/col-new-rules-could-clear-pension-reform-path.html Thu, 28 Feb 9:0:00 PST For most states, the new government accountability rules eliminate the main substantive barrier to moving toward less costly defined-contribution plans. Muni Bonds' Future May Lie in Foreign Investors' Hands http://www.governing.com/columns/public-money/col-muni-bonds-future-in-foreign-investors-hands.html Thu, 31 Jan 9:0:00 PST Foreign investors matter to the municipal bond market for two reasons. The Secret to Massachusetts’ High Credit Rating http://www.governing.com/columns/col-secret-to-mass-high-credit-rating.html Fri, 28 Dec 9:0:00 PST Massachusetts has the highest credit rating it’s ever had. Its secret? Discipline. The Fiscal Future That Won’t Happen http://www.governing.com/columns/col-fiscal-future-that-wont-happen.html Fri, 30 Nov 9:0:00 PST Arithmetic always triumphs; our unsustainable trends will stop. What matters is how. Can California Fix Its Budget Problems? http://www.governing.com/columns/public-money/col-can-california-fix-itself.html Wed, 31 Oct 9:0:00 PDT Changes in its political system may point the way for it to meet financial challenges. Cities, Counties and the Urge to Merge http://www.governing.com/columns/public-money/col-cities-counties-consolidation.html Fri, 28 Sep 8:59:00 PDT Consolidating governments is hard to do, but the idea keeps coming up. What We Need Our Auditors to Do http://www.governing.com/columns/public-money/col-what-we-need-auditors-to-do.html Fri, 31 Aug 9:0:00 PDT It’s more crucial than ever to know whether government programs are effective. Are We Asking Our Finance Officers to Do the Impossible? http://www.governing.com/columns/public-money/col-finance-officers-risk-management-tools-political-problems.html Tue, 28 Aug 8:0:00 PDT We’re trying to use financial risk-management tools to solve political problems. That’s putting the people who manage public money in a tenuous position.