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. Mon, 20 May 10:43:15 PDT GOP-Controlled Wisconsin Legislature Targets Milwaukee http://www.governing.com/news/state/mct-gop-controlled-wisconsin-legislature-targets-milwaukee.html Mon, 13 May 9:30:00 PDT Recent moves by the republican-controlled legislature that could hurt the city's finances has raised speculation that it being targeted as part of a political vendetta. Illinois Looking to Stop Outsider Access to Pension System http://www.governing.com/news/state/mct-illinois-looking-to-stop-outsider-access-to-pension-system.html Tue, 7 May 9:30:00 PDT No longer just concerned with saving the state's underfunded pension system money, reform efforts now seek to stop allowing interlopers who aren't state workers into the taxpayer-supported retirement systems. Florida Pension Reform Bill Fails http://www.governing.com/news/state/mct-florida-pension-reform-bill-fails.html Wed, 1 May 9:30:00 PDT A pension reform bill that would have moved new state workers and teachers into a 401K plan and blocked them from enrolling in the state pension system, failed in the Florida senate. Several Republicans joined the Democratic minority to defeat the measure 22-18. Retiree Health-Care Benefits: The Next Shoe to Drop? http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-retiree-healthcare-benefits--the-next-shoe-to-drop.html Mon, 22 Apr 9:0:00 PDT The rising cost of health care for retirees may force states and localities to make wholesale changes to their pension health plans. Has Pension Reform Gone Too Far? http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-has-pension-reform-gone-too-far.html Fri, 19 Apr 9:0:00 PDT Faced with growing pension gaps, states and localities in recent years have reacted with sweeping reforms. Public Workers, Secret Pensions http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-massachusetts-bay-tranportation-authority-pension-information-secrecy.html Thu, 18 Apr 14:0:00 PDT Under an unusual arrangement dating back to 1948, information about the Boston-area transit agency's pension system doesn't have to be made public. That may soon change, and it ought to. Moody's New Rules May Mean More Downgrades http://www.governing.com/news/state/gov-moodys-announces-new-ratings-rules.html Wed, 17 Apr 16:30:00 PDT Moody’s Investors Service announced its highly anticipated new ratings rules, which could result in downgrades for dozens of cities and school districts. Christie Vetoes Union Labor Bill http://www.governing.com/news/state/Christie-Vetoes-Union-Labor-Bill.html Wed, 17 Apr 8:7:00 PDT Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a bill that would have allowed towns to hire all-union workers to rebuild key pieces of infrastructure in the wake of Hurricane Sandy under project labor agreements. Unions Seek New Ways to Combat Declining Membership http://www.governing.com/news/state/sl-labor-unions-look-to-new-models-for-survival.html Mon, 15 Apr 9:0:00 PDT No longer in denial about its dwindling numbers and diminished political power, organized labor unions are exploring new, potentially risky approaches for growing their memberships. New Jersey's 2011 Pension Reform Spurs Savings http://www.governing.com/news/state/New-Jerseys-2011-Pension-Reform-Spurs-Savings.html Mon, 15 Apr 8:4:00 PDT While local pension costs will grow in the new state budget, the bill would be $540 million higher without reforms that forced public employees to pick up a greater share of the pension costs and stopped cost of living adjustment for retirees.