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 17:40:23 PDT http://www.governing.com/news/state/Facing-a-Strike-UC-Medical-Centers-Cancel-Elective-Surgeries.html Fri, 17 May 8:7:00 PDT Facing a possible two-day strike next week by patient care and technical workers, the five large University of California medical centers are starting to cancel elective surgeries. http://www.governing.com/news/local/LAPD-Freed-from-Federal-Oversight.html Fri, 17 May 8:6:00 PDT In a brief, three-line order, a judge formally lifted the binding agreement the U.S. Department of Justice imposed on the LAPD in 2001, which spelled out dozens of major reforms the police agency had to implement and frequent audits it was required to undergo. http://www.governing.com/news/state/Bill-Allowing-Armed-Personnel-in-Schools-Becomes-Tennessee-Law.html Fri, 17 May 8:4:00 PDT Gov. Bill Haslam has signed a bill that allows school districts to let people with police training be armed in schools. http://www.governing.com/news/state/Impact-of-Louisiana-School-Voucher-Ruling-Beginning-to-Show.html Fri, 17 May 8:3:00 PDT As the 2013-14 funding plan boomeranged between the Legislature and the state board of education, the state education superintendent revealed that the state had to find an extra $29 million for the current school year; meanwhile, parents of students in the voucher program rallied to keep their kids enrolled. http://www.governing.com/news/state/Floridas-Rick-Scott-Rejects-Amazon-Deal.html Fri, 17 May 8:1:00 PDT Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who has made job creation his top priority, has rejected a proposed deal to bring major Internet retailer Amazon to the state because it would have meant that Floridians would have to pay sales tax on Internet purchases made through the company. http://www.governing.com/news/state/gov-moodys-detroit-emergency-manager-makes-default-an-option.html Thu, 16 May 15:0:00 PDT Moody's, the credit ratings agency, has warned that Detroit’s preliminary financial operating plan opens the door to place bondholders on the hook for the city’s debts, a move that would further damage the city’s already low credit rating. http://www.governing.com/news/local/DC-Councilmembers-Seek-to-Decriminalize-Marijuana.html Thu, 16 May 8:6:00 PDT Some D.C. Council members are crafting legislation to lessen the penalties for marijuana possession, hoping to settle the matter before outside groups petition the issue onto the ballot. http://www.governing.com/news/local/Teachers-Union-Sues-Chicago-to-Stop-Closings.html Thu, 16 May 8:1:00 PDT The two lawsuits, filed on behalf of parents and their special needs children, say the proposed school closings are unfair, will harm students with disabilities and are discriminatory because almost all the students affected are African-American. http://www.governing.com/news/local/Takoma-Park-is-1st-US-City-to-Allow-16-Year-Olds-to-Vote.html Wed, 15 May 8:9:00 PDT Though some residents argued that teenagers lack the maturity and experience to handle the responsibility of voting, the Takoma Park City Council in Maryland passed an amendment to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in city elections. http://www.governing.com/news/state/Christies-Affordable-Housing-Battle-Heads-to-Court.html Wed, 15 May 8:8:00 PDT A three-judge panel said it will hear arguments on New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s decision to grab up to $162 million in affordable-housing funds for his proposed $32.9 billion budget