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Zach Patton

Executive Editor

Zach Patton -- Executive Editor. Zach joined GOVERNING as a staff writer in 2004. He received the 2011 Jesse H. Neal Award for Outstanding Journalism for his GOVERNING story on economic cutbacks in Colorado Springs. He has served as an editor since 2010, and as Executive Editor since 2012.

skimmer boat
Archive
Behind the Lens: Cleaning Up the Anacostia River, One Boat at a Time
Photos and musings from our photographer.
August 13, 2019
 · Zach Patton
Burning_Man_aerial
Archive
Just How Big Is Burning Man?
Every year, people build a city solely for the event, then take it down a week later.
July 31, 2019
 · Zach Patton
GOV08_28_Feature_BurningMan_Lede_1200x800
Archive
What Cities Can Learn From Burning Man
The annual gathering is a radical experiment in urban design that rebuilds itself in the desert every year -- with the help of its residents.
July 29, 2019
 · Zach Patton
Detroit Hudsons Gilbert
Archive
<i>Behind the Lens</i>: This Vacant City Block Will Soon Be the Tallest Building in Michigan
Photos and musings from our photographer.
July 11, 2019
 · Zach Patton
tilt a whirl history
Archive
Behind the Lens: How the Tilt-a-Whirl Became a Fixture of State Fairs
Photos and musings from our photographer.
July 11, 2019
 · Zach Patton
Virginia Beach shooting
Archive
Why the Virginia Beach Shooting Hits Home
The attack, which killed nearly a dozen municipal employees in my hometown, is a reminder that mass shootings can happen anywhere.
June 02, 2019
 · Zach Patton
Kansas medicaid
Archive
The Governor, House and Most Senators in Kansas Want to Expand Medicaid. So Why Did It Just Fail?
The debate is likely dead until next year.
May 01, 2019
 · Zach Patton
now hiring
Archive
Why It's Easier to Find a Job in Pennsylvania
The state has made a number of key reforms to streamline its recruiting and hiring. One big change? Using plain English.
April 05, 2019
 · Zach Patton
sxsw omalley
Archive
SXSW 2019: 2 Former Mayors Discuss the Future of Data
Former Maryland Gov. and Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley and former Indianapolis Mayor Steven Goldsmith talk about how tech can change the public sector.
March 14, 2019
 · Zach Patton
Maryland Delegate-Slur
Archive
As Hate Speech Pervades Politics, Many Politicians Escape Consequence
After making racist, anti-Semitic or homophobic comments, elected officials often stay in office, either by apologizing or attacking their opponents. But public servants may have a harder time keeping their jobs.
March 12, 2019
 · Zach Patton
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