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 22:11:34 PDT Bill to Ban Smoking Inside Homes Fails in California http://www.governing.com/news/state/mct-bill-to-ban-smoking-inside-homes-fails-in-california.html Thu, 18 Apr 13:0:00 PDT A bill to bar millions of Californians from smoking inside their own homes was rejected Wednesday by an Assembly committee. Chronic and Veteran Homelessness Declined in 2012 http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/report-chronic-and-veteran-homelessness-on-the-decline.html Tue, 16 Apr 12:0:00 PDT Despite some troubling economic conditions, chronic and veteran homelessness both dropped by more than 6 percent last year, according to a new report. Low-Income Housing Vouchers Vanish in Wake of Sequester http://www.governing.com/news/state/Low-Income-Housing-Vouchers-Vanish-in-Wake-of-Sequester.html Fri, 12 Apr 8:6:00 PDT Around the nation, housing agencies are tightening their belts and often putting a freeze on new Section 8 vouchers for low-income people in the wake of the sequestration. Micro Apartments Spread to Des Moines http://www.governing.com/news/local/Micro-Apartments-Hit-Des-Moines.html Wed, 10 Apr 8:7:00 PDT Des Moines’ new lower-cost micro apartments are part of a growing national trend that lets young professionals live in vibrant urban cores in Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and New York, where rents can be exorbitant. Which States Accepted the Most Refugees in 2012? http://www.governing.com/news/state/sl-refugees-in-states-2012.html Mon, 8 Apr 11:0:00 PDT Millions of federal dollars flow every year through the states and a network of relief organizations to help refugees find housing, health care and jobs. Whatever Happened to the Office of Urban Affairs? http://www.governing.com/blogs/fedwatch/gov-federal-office-of-urban-affairs-still-exist.html Fri, 29 Mar 9:0:00 PDT Created four years ago, the federal office was supposed to engage cities and metro areas in all major policy decisions. Today, the Obama administration has “little to show for its efforts.” Suburban Blight & the Affordable Housing Conundrum http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-suburban-blight-and-the-affordable-housing-conundrum.html Wed, 13 Mar 5:0:00 PDT As urban revival pushes more lower-income earners to the suburbs, many are struggling to provide services and redefine their identity. HUD Secretary Asks Local Leaders to Lobby for CDBG and HOME http://www.governing.com/news/federal/gov-hud-secretary-asks-local-leaders-to-lobby-for-cdbg-and-home.html Tue, 12 Mar 9:15:00 PDT Local officials must lobby their congressional representatives to restore funding to key programs, particularly the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, says U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan. Fingerprinting Helps Homeless Shelters Provide Faster Service http://www.governing.com/idea-center/gov-nj-county-uses-biometrics-aid-homeless.html Wed, 6 Mar 12:0:00 PST New Jersey is expanding a local program that helps human services agencies get a more accurate picture of where and when aid is most needed. Veterans Seek Help from States and Localities http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/gov-veterans-seek-help-from-states-localities.html Thu, 28 Feb 9:0:00 PST Some states and localities are stepping in to fill the void left by federal aid. One successful model is emerging in Utica, N.Y.