Legislative Issues to Watch in 2012

With the ballooning cost of benefits, a poor job market and more lean-government advocates in power, states are cutting personnel more than they have in the past. BY Alan Greenblatt

For years, there have been two kinds of Republicans in the Kansas statehouse: conservatives and moderates. This year, the conservatives want total control. BY Alan Greenblatt

In the current 24/7 news cycle, scandals often lead to bills in several statehouses. BY Alan Greenblatt

Puerto Rico, which will vote on whether to become a state this summer, has reduced its spending by 20 percent in just two years with the help of public-private partnerships. BY Paul W. Taylor

Obama’s mixed approach of coercion and collaboration seems to be working, but that may not last. BY Peter Harkness

The federal government is working to improve the way it administers grants. But states and localities aren't part of the council taking on the issue. BY Ryan Holeywell

Citing safety as the reason, dentists are fighting states’ efforts to create mid-level dental providers who can provide care to underserved areas. Some speculate they just fear losing business. BY David Levine

The public-private partnership, Envision Utah, is a national model for cities grappling with how to ease congestion, stop sprawl and clean the air. BY Elizabeth Daigneau

The business incubator is no longer a new idea. Cities are pursuing business accelerators, a kind of incubator on steroids. BY William Fulton

Technology has spurred a renewed interest in street art. Cash-strapped cities are combating the costly problem with smartphones. BY Tod Newcombe

In a town with a large population of people older than 65, a program that pairs senior citizens and at-risk kids is reaping benefits for both. BY Jessica Mulholland

How much fraud actually occurs is debatable, but the benefits of eliminating it are clear. And many governments are taking steps to stop schemes, scams and public-sector swindles. BY Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene

Roanoke, Va., and other cities are experimenting with new technologies that capture energy from footsteps, cars and more. BY Steve Towns

In this Public Finance column, John E. Petersen says that despite dire forecasts, states and localities paid their debts on time and in full. BY John E. Petersen

Although she faced a lawsuit from Colorado’s Secretary of State, City and County Clerk and Recorder Debra Johnson stood by her decision to send ballots to inactive voters in November’s elections. BY Dylan Scott