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Who Said That?
I think that, mor that any elected official on this planet and probably in outer space, I have discussed my personal situation.”
— New York Gov. David A. Paterson, after revealing that he and his wife had been unfaithful to each other and that he had used cocaine and marijuana in the 1970s
/Xtras
>>The best of our online-only features
THE HIGH-RISK, HIGH-REWARD RUNNING MATE
Bill Richardson would make a perfect running mate, if he weren't so imperfect. Sure, you could make that statement about anyone, but, given the renewed buzz surrounding Richardson since his endorsement of Barack Obama, it's worth considering the New Mexico governor's many strengths and many weaknesses.... 
GIVING LIFE THE HIGH-TECH WAY
Only 5 percent of the eligible population donates blood in any given year. In an effort to draw more people in, the Indiana Blood Center recently introduced two new high-tech measures it hopes will streamline the donating process, making it more enticing.
ARE YOU A WIKI NOOB?
Don't know your Lindens from your avatars? How about First Life and folksonomy? Brush up on the latest tech speak with this glossary of wiki terms.
More Web Features
LOOKING TO GO LOCAL?
Here are some resources on creating local-food systems in your government — or adopting a local diet for yourself.
BENCHMARKING LIVABILITY
Governing's latest report in the Citizens and Performance Series: The tricky challenge of measuring quality of life and government performance.
WHAT DOES YOUR CIO REALLY NEED TO KNOW?
Yes, CIOs need to understand technology. But they also need to know how IT can contribute to major organizational goals and strategy — and how to build relationships as part of a leadership team.
ASSISTED SUICIDE BY ANY OTHER NAME...
Washington State is voting in November on an initiative to legalize what many people would call "physician-assisted suicide." That's not what the ballot will call it, however.
LET THE SUNSHINE IN
Recognize "Sunshine Week" with these links to these articles on public records and open-government initiatves.
PUBLIC INPUT, WIKI-STYLE
Minneapolis is testing a fresh new approach to gathering public input. Frustrated by low attendance at public meetings, the city has launched its first wiki.
THE LONG LINK OF THE LAW
To paraphrase the opening of an old black-and-white crime drama, there are a thousand stories in the Naked City — and nowadays, there's a good chance police are posting them on YouTube.
BEST DRESSED
The National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors named the Washington State Patrol the Best Dressed State Law Enforcement Agency for 2007. If you think we're mentioning this just as a throw-away, you're wrong. We have no real evidence to prove this, but we've always felt that when government employees take pride in the way they're required to look in their jobs, it's likely they'll be more inclined to live up to that image in their work.
Plus: The B&G Report appears each month in the Governing Management Letter
SUCCESS IS A LOUSY TEACHER
When taking on a new role, it's important to remember that yesterday's successes don't necessarily prepare us for tomorrow's challenges. So if past successes can blind us to what's needed in a new job or new situation, does that mean we can't learn from past experiences? Not at all.
DRUGS IN THE WATER
A U.S. Geological Survey studied 139 streams around the county in 2000 and found that 80 percent of them contained residues of a variety of pharmaceuticals. A new effort is underway that will make Iowa one of the first states to collect and properly dispose of pharmaceuticals statewide.
NO MORE ONE SIZE FITS ALL
In William D. Eggers' Management Insights column, he writes that government cannot be run like a business. But that doesn't mean the public sector can't learn from business.
EXTREME MAKEOVER: MASSACHUSETTS SPEAKER'S OFFICE EDITION
On Governing's 13th Floor blog, Zach Patton writes about how Massachusetts House Speaker Sal DiMasi is redecorating his office — after he criticized an opponent for doing the exact same thing.
THE MAN WHO OWNS FLINT
An extended Q&A with Dan Kildee, the man who's trying to reverse the decline of Flint, Michigan, one house at a time.
A RISING TIDE
Minor changes in sea level mean big problems for Olympia, Washington. See how the city's planning to cope.
Plus: Click here for more resources on how your government can prepare for climate change
FEES IN YOUR FACE
Will Congress force fee disclosures? Columnist Girard Miller tackles that question in an extended version of his regular Governing column.
TOUR A GREEN AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLEX
Galen Terrace is Washington, D.C.'s first low-income housing development to meet the District's new green building standards.
GANGS OF YOUTUBE
Zach Patton writes on Governing's 13th Floor blog about how YouTube isn't just for cute kitten contests and Britney Spears fans. It's also becoming popular with gangs.
EYEING A STATE'S SPENDING ONLINE
If a resident, reporter, vendor, government watchdog or even a state employee wants to know how Texas spent $74.5 billion last year, it's as easy as looking it up online. The new database, Where the Money Goes, details spending by all state agencies and institutions of higher education.