Archive
A recent change in federal law gives schools an alternative to throwing unused food in the trash.
Donard Berwick, the recently departed head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), delivered a harsh rebuke of his critics during a speech delivered Wednesday.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded more than $14 million, funded through the Affordable Care Act, to 45 school-based health centers throughout the country on Thursday.
Newspaper took a look at school vouchers and other education proposals in their editorial pages this week.
Spending on Medicaid was the most dynamic variable among states, according to a CMS report about total personal health care spending.
A new research report using GASB proposed metrics reveals risks of "depletion."
The decision sends the Orange County case back to federal court.
A year later, Lou Jacobson takes another look at how the 2012 Electoral College votes would divide up depending on if Mitt Romney is not the GOP nominee for president.
In this column by Public Money author Girard Miller, he writes about how newly enacted pension reforms will test contract law.
A region that was largely insulated from the recession could feel big impacts from federal budget cuts.
Plus: Welfare rules in the 50 states, and more management news.
Transportation Secretary comes into hot seat as California voters become increasingly frustrated with project.
A New York City initiative aims to help the poor by supporting successful programs — and killing ineffective ones.
Four years after the last horse slaughterhouse in the country closed, President Barack Obama paved the way for new plants to pop up.
An Oregon county will begin transferring 911 calls from people having mental-health crises to qualified professionals who can keep callers out of jail and danger.
The U.S. Postal Service unveiled a plan to end next-day delivery for first class mail by next spring, a move that could clear the way for the closure and consolidation of hundreds of post offices across the country.
A year later, Lou Jacobson takes another look at how the 2012 Electoral College votes would divide up if Mitt Romney is the GOP nominee for president.
Public managers have much to learn from how a losing baseball team was turned into a winner.
The way evidence-based analysis—rather than what ‘passes for wisdom’—turned a losing baseball team into a winner has powerful lessons for government decision-making.
If a community gets too large, it can lose out on some funding for bus programs. One coalition is hoping to change that.
New data shows Americans are moving to Texas and other states in the South and western U.S. Use our interactive tool to see where residents in your state are moving.
Groups representing Michigan's public and private retirees continued to push their opposition to a new pension tax policy approved this year, threatening political repercussions in the next election for legislators who supported the tax.
The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 8.6 percent in November, the lowest in two-and-a-half years. Governments, though, lost another 20,000 jobs for the month.
A new report finds many states have made progress in compiling student data, but further improvements are needed for educators to fully utilize education data systems.
Instead of waiting for students to go to the library, which can be difficult since most aren't of driving age, Nashville Public Library is bringing the books to them.
Minnesota budget officials estimated a surprise $876 million surplus for the rest of the state's two-year budget on Thursday, easing fears of another bruising political fight just months after partisan deadlock over how to close the last budget deficit led to a partial shutdown of state government.
Legislation being drafted by House Republican would renew an expiring unemployment benefits program and extend the Social Security payroll tax cut.
Newpapers' editorial boards took a look at their states and localities' checkbooks over the last week.
Former Wisconsin governor and U.S. Cabinet secretary Tommy Thompson was set to formally launch his Senate bid with a rally Thursday, 13 years since he last appeared on a ballot.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has established a task force to review the state's school bullying policies.
Michigan lawmakers plan to propose a constitutional amendment that would ban for-profit schools.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been credited with healing the once-dysfunctional Legislature.
Balanced-budget mandates and biennial budgeting are popular ideas bubbling up from the states. But they won't work for the federal government.
Balanced-budget mandates and biennial budgeting are popular ideas for fixing the federal budgeting process. But what works in state capitols isn’t the right approach for Capitol Hill.
Most states and cities stopped requiring that recipients be fingerprinted because it was costly and slowed the application process. New York City and Arizona are the last jurisdictions that still do it.
If finding ways to save money for a cash-starved state wasn’t enough, California’s Auditor Elaine Howle is adding the task of setting up a new redistricting commission to her to-do list.
After Lexington, Ky., earned the award for least active city, residents and the mayor took to the streets to boast their win in a Sedentary Parade.
In the nineteenth century, some states took control of local police forces. Today, St. Louis is the last big city whose force is still under state control.
Several states increased taxes on the wealthy in recent years. The move brought in extra revenue but didn’t solve all of states’ budget problems.
After instituting new bike lanes and one of the nation’s largest bikeshare programs in D.C., Klein hopes to have similar success as Chicago’s new transit chief.
The American Legislative Exchange Council’s conservative ideas are resonating in practically every area of state government. And its opponents aren’t happy about it.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry once supported a binational U.S.-Mexico health insurance plan. Why didn’t the idea grab the Lone Star State’s fancy?
Companies are legally obligated to try to maximize profits. Some states are creating companies that can also factor employees, the community and the environment into financial decisions.
Milwaukee hopes to pioneer new tech advances in farming that would create jobs and eliminate food deserts in depressed neighborhoods.
People have gradually lost trust in government. How can public leaders get it back?
Retiree medical costs can be tamed, but it requires effort. Some solutions are obvious, others are at the cutting edge of innovation.
Republicans and Democrats call for fewer mandates. Both parties, however, have yet to answer fundamental questions about what government should do and how it should pay for it.
Once popular, these car-free zones are slowly disappearing from the urban landscape.
Massachusetts may be the first state to use social impact bonds, a unique model that started in the U.K. for financing social programs.
A look back at the building of millions of miles of roads shows why passenger rail needs a well-structured bureaucracy in order to succeed.
Less than twenty years ago, no states had an obesity rate higher than 20 percent. Today, no state has a rate lower than that.
Substantial layoffs could be one piece of the fallout from the automatic cuts now likely to be adopted after the super committee failed to reach a deal before Thanksgiving.
An alliance of consultants is helping Chicago and Cook County save money and improve services. And you can’t beat the price.
With Don Berwick stepping down, Marilyn Tavenner has been appointed as administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Indiana is projected to lose between $40 million and $114 million in revenue because of uncollected taxes on online purchases, according to a new report.
Should convicted public workers keep their pensions? States typically ask that question only after a high-profile scandal. Check out this map to see which states have forfeiture laws.
New figures showed 36 states recorded monthly unemployment rate declines in October, but numbers for most states remained relatively unchanged.
Medicaid cuts are off the table. Housing programs aren't. See what else is affected by sequestration.
The arrest of suspected “lone wolf” terrorist José Pimentel raises the question – what can communities do to protect themselves against lone operators planning terrorist attacks?
Newspapers nationwide condemned the use of pepper spray to suppress protests.
The Cuomo administration strives to make military experience transfer into college credit and job certifications.
Education spending per pupil increased about 15 percent between fiscal years 2006 and 2009, but has since dropped. View state-by-state breakdowns of financial figures.
University of California, Davis college students took a face full of pepper spray at close range from an officer in riot gear Saturday in an incident that was captured on video and spread virally across the Internet.
Find out how many residents in your community are "homegrown"
Utah health officials are mulling over the idea of giving health insurance to cash-strapped people in exchange for community service.
The federal government is working to improve the way it administers grants. But states and localities aren't part of the council taking on the issue.
Some students have sought every form of financial aid possible and still can't afford college. Some states are stepping up to help.
To attract the best and brightest educators, we need to do something about the disconnect between performance and compensation.
In light of recent events involving Solyndra, Governing Institute head Mark Funkhouser explains how government can have a role in job creation without being venture capitalists.
Congress won't increase taxes to pay for transportation projects. But voters in local elections are choosing to do just that.
Twenty-four state have significant reduced their support for public media outlets.
Gun control advocates, including Boston's mayor and New York City's chief advisor, were on Capitol Hill Tuesday to ask Congress to pass legislation that would tighten gun-buying restrictions.
New data indicates more Americans are putting plans to move on hold. View mobility data for each state to see how your state compares.
Four state education officials spoke about their states' waiver requests, allowing them more flexibility with meeting No Child Left Behind goals.
Advocates want Congress to pass legislation to combat new state laws that they say will disenfranchise young, elderly, minority, disabled and low-income voters.
Many lawmakers in Nebraska don’t want oil flowing past the state’s scenic Sand Hills. They’ve persuaded the federal government and the company behind the pipeline to reconsider the proposed route.
Are city taxes and revenues affected if professional sports teams cancel their season?
There is no shortage of innovative programs that can go a long way towards maintaining public confidence in our public institutions.
Plus: Assessing corruption in the public sector, and more management news
More and more police officers are walking around with body cameras on their uniforms in hopes of increasing transparency and accountability.
There are ways to cut the public workforce that minimize the impact on effectiveness and human capital.
When governments must reduce their workforces, they need to find ways to minimize the damage to long-term performance.
State lawmaker Ken Sumsion will run on a campaign to reform public school spending and gain access to the state's federally controlled lands.
In a time of layoffs and pay freezes for public workers, it’s easy to criticize bonuses for executives who manage billions in public assets. But that doesn’t mean bonuses are a bad idea.
As college enrollments increase, policymakers explore what they can do to ensure students are successful once they get there and graduate within a reasonable amount of time.
The technology helps people with disabilities cast their ballots easily and more privately.
The online retailer -- known for hardball tactics when it comes to sales tax -- appears to be shifting its approach.
California’s pension hawks file a detailed, alternative plan to the governor's that builds on his proposals.
The websites feature graphic images and chilling statistics about the risks associated with methamphetamines.
Phoenix -- the only large city to elect a new mayor yesterday -- selects Democrat Greg Stanton as its new mayor.
Cities that retool for a global economy can set the stage for a reliable revenue stream.
As states continue to post more public information online, government transparency advocates say centralized sites are crucial to help citizens find what they're looking for.
After Idaho became the first state to require high school students to take two online credits last week, state education officials are working on ways to keep as much of the taxpayers money in schools as possible.
Aiming to improve the efficiency of Chicago’s recycling pickups, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is turning to a competition marked by fairness.
As lawmakers look for new avenues to provide jobs, some are turning toward high school vocational programs as a means of building a better workforce.
The Massachusetts Gleaning Network will connect growers and volunteers in efforts to provide food in case of emergencies.
Pilot program could mean less wasted time for local affordable housing offices.
Social enterprises—hybrid businesses whose profits support community needs—can be a strong force for local economic development and job creation.
There are lessons for government in how a successful airline approaches hiring.
The way a successful airline finds employees who fit in with its distinctive culture holds lessons for the public sector.
Many states have decided that not following a federal law regarding sex offender registration -- and taking a financial hit -- would be cheaper than implementing it.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released new employment figures for October, showing governments continued to cut payrolls. State governments reported the most significant decline, losing 20,000 jobs for the month.
Without getting wonky, Gary Hustwit's latest shows what's working -- and what isn't -- in cities across the globe.
In New York courts, which face a swarm of liability lawsuits, medically trained judges and attorneys work together to reduce the money and time spent on such cases.
Some states have cut or closed their state fairs to address their budget shortfalls, but supporters of the century-old pasttime remain optimistic about the future.
Moldy thinking about public employees can lead to a host of problems.
Lawmakers hear from those who helped perpetrate the HOME program.
View health insurance coverage rates from the U.S. Census Bureau's Small Area Health Insurance Estimates program. Data is compiled for each county using census figures, food stamp participation, aggregated tax returns, Medicaid records and other data sets.
Plus: Questions about pension investments, and more management news
The scope of the governor's new plan surprises allies and critics.
Actuaries should use lower, achievable interest rates when there is not a qualified trust fund.
How closely will plan trustees follow GASB rules when they bill employers?
Facing $4 billion in education cuts over the next two years, voters will decide whether to authorize dipping deeper into the state’s $25 billion education trust fund to make up some of the difference.
Government needs leaders with the qualities that Canada's Reg Alcock had and sought in others.
At a time when government is held in low esteem, public service needs people with the qualities that Canada's Reg Alcock had in abundance.
States are taking funds that could be used to avert cuts and instead putting them in the bank. Is that the right move?
Data released Monday shows revenues for U.S. state and local governments fell more than 22 percent in fiscal year 2009. View a breakdown of financial figures for each state.
Drug dealers and addicts often jump borders to beat the system. Several states are trying to keep that from happening.
A new etiquette directive from Gov. Nikki Haley has state employees sounding more chipper.
New collaborative initiatives are tapping a growing willingness for Washington and the states to work together to find innovative ways to deliver services.
Mayors across the country have tried to communicate guarded support for the demonstrations while stressing the need for public safety when addressing the Occupy protests.
The National Levee Database, unveiled to the public on Thursday, includes detailed information on more than 14,000 miles of federal levees.
New data provides estimates for health insurance coverage for all states, counties in U.S.
Teacher evaluations have become a focal point for policymakers interested in education reform. Following a report on the state of state policies, experts weighed in on what should evaluation systems should look like.
State agencies examine how they'll respond to Congressional action -- without know what that action may be.
This year’s most high-profile tax measure on the ballot goes to a vote next week. The outcome will provide clues to the public’s mood about raising taxes.
The National Levee Database, unveiled to the public on Thursday, includes detailed information on more than 14,000 miles of federal levees.
With increased pressures on their finances, state Medicaid officers are looking for innovative ways to reduce costs while improving care.
But federal officials say they'll likely need more data before they can make any change.
IBM will give $50 million in grants and expert advice to cities that want to solve their problems using data-based solutions.
To finance energy-efficiency improvements for local businesses, California's capital is trying an innovative public-private approach
A year ago, all 50 states launched an investigation into some of the nation’s biggest banks, accusing them of using illegal practices to cheat homeowners and worsen the foreclosure crisis.
New technologies are making it safer for government employees to access sensitive data on their personal computers and smartphones.
Groups that assess the value of government programs inevitably make some enemies. That’s one reason the programs are always first on the chopping block.
State and local fiscal fortunes are now linked to the ups and downs of markets on every continent.
GOVERNING Publisher Emeritus Peter Harkness says it may be time for government to get out of the business of promoting homeownership.
In order to ensure long-term economic prosperity, states and localities should focus on investment.
Pension problems at the state level have been grabbing headlines for some time, but many experts believe the real trouble is at the local level.
Whether we like it or not, it’s time to expect less -- lots less -- from government.
Several states are setting up independent commissions in the hope of removing bias from the line-drawing process.
State legislative fights over Internet sales tax collection have been fierce, with the big Internet retailer playing the heavyweight.
Ron Thaniel guides the transportation conversation for the nation’s cities, and he wants to talk about infrastructure.
A land bank knocks down foreclosed homes to stabilize Cleveland-area neighborhoods -- all at the lender’s expense.
Can incentives help state workers shed their unhealthy habits and cut health-care costs?
At a time when people need it the most, states are tightening work requirements, lowering payments and setting time limits for welfare recipients.
An evolutionary biologist adapts his theories to help local officials plan parks and improve schools.
New NCLB waivers may impact the classroom more than the old law they’re trying to escape did.
