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 0:42:46 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/Minimum-Wage-Increase-Hits-Roadblock-in-Minnesota.html Fri, 17 May 8:2:00 PDT Once a top priority, a hike in the minimum wage is falling off the agenda as the House and Senate disagree on how much it should rise. 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/columns/public-finance/col-public-pension-plans-third-way.html Thu, 16 May 14:0:00 PDT Defined-benefit plans put all the risk on states and localities; defined-contribution plans put it all on employees. Now there's a new approach to risk sharing. 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/columns/col-tennessee-plans-solve-technology-IT-problems-public-workforce.html Wed, 15 May 14:0:00 PDT In an effort to keep employees and their skills up to date, the Volunteer State is urging 1,600 IT workers to reapply for their jobs. http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-illinois-public-pension-reform-dilemma.html Wed, 15 May 14:0:00 PDT State lawmakers moving to fix the nation's worst-funded pension system have a choice: a plan that saves a lot of money or one that might survive a court challenge. http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-public-management-service-delivery-challenge-last-mile.html Wed, 15 May 8:0:00 PDT Sometimes even the best program design and execution fail to get a government service to a recipient who needs it. There are ways to overcome those final hurdles. http://www.governing.com/news/local/Baltimore-City-Council-Approves-Bill-Requiring-Contractors-to-Hire-Residents.html Tue, 14 May 8:1:00 PDT In a unanimous vote, the City Council gave preliminary approval Monday to a bill that would require businesses getting large city contracts or financial support to hire 51 percent of new workers from Baltimore.