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, 23 May 8:37:58 PDT How to Keep Costly Road Repairs to a Minimum http://www.governing.com/columns/smart-mgmt/col-keepin-costly-road-repairs-down.html Tue, 30 Apr 9:0:00 PDT Coordination between public agencies and utilities will keep streets from being torn up, again and again. The Risks of Relying on User Fees http://www.governing.com/columns/smart-mgmt/col-risks-of-raising-non-tax-revenue.html Fri, 29 Mar 12:1:00 PDT In the past three years, states and cities have brought in billions of dollars in additional user fees. But there are pitfalls to this form of revenue boost. Why Haven’t States and Localities Capitalized on Great Management Ideas? http://www.governing.com/columns/smart-mgmt/col-great-management-ideas.html Thu, 28 Feb 9:0:00 PST When management meets politics, management is generally the loser. What can policymakers do to heighten the chances that a reform will, at least, be given the opportunity to succeed or fail? Cities Strengthening Bonds with Their International Sisters http://www.governing.com/columns/smart-mgmt/col-sister-cities-strengthen-ties.html Thu, 31 Jan 9:0:00 PST There's a new push to get these 2,000 international partnerships working together on concrete development programs. The Difficulties of Measuring Government Success http://www.governing.com/columns/col-difficulties-of-measuring-government-success.html Fri, 28 Dec 9:0:00 PST Take weatherization. It’s harder than advertised to come up with an easy way to assess the program’s success. The Problem with Preferential Bids for Women, Minorities http://www.governing.com/columns/col-problem-with-preferential-bids.html Fri, 30 Nov 9:0:00 PST Giving preference to women- or minority-owned businesses is a widely acceptable social policy that can run into management problems. Public vs. Private Employees: Who Wins in a Bidding War? http://www.governing.com/columns/smart-mgmt/col-public-private-employees-who-wins.html Wed, 31 Oct 9:0:00 PDT Instead of simply preselecting private- or public-sector employees, managed competition means projects can be put out for bid with both groups competing for work. What Killed Alabama’s Performance Measurement Plan? http://www.governing.com/columns/smart-mgmt/col-what-killed-alabama-performance-measurement-plan.html Fri, 28 Sep 8:59:00 PDT Less than a decade after the state enacted its first real performance measurement plan, it -- like a number of other similar programs in the states -- has fallen on hard times. Sick Leave Causes Headaches for Governments http://www.governing.com/columns/smart-mgmt/col-sick-leave-causing-headaches-for-governments.html Fri, 31 Aug 9:0:00 PDT Governments are struggling with how to properly manage sick leave to prevent employees from abusing it. Gainsharing Falls Victim to Tight Times http://www.governing.com/columns/smart-mgmt/col-gainsharing-falls-victim-to-tight-times.html Tue, 31 Jul 9:0:00 PDT The concept of sharing unspent dollars with other employees and agencies saves governments money but is often ignored when budgets are the smallest.