✕

Internet Explorer 11 is not supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.
Zach Patton headshot square

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.

Archive
Missouri May Hold On to Transportation Money Instead of Giving It to Cities
For more than two decades, the Missouri Department of Transportation has divvied up millions of federal dollars each year to cities and urban areas. This year it might keep the money for itself.
April 19, 2016
 · Zach Patton
Archive
Alaska Gov. Walker 'Pretty Darn Sure' He'll Call Special Session
Lawmakers have already exceeded the voter-approved 90-day limit on legislative sessions, but the governor wants them to stay in Juneau to keep working to address the state's multibillion-dollar budget gap.
April 19, 2016
 · Zach Patton
Archive
In Louisiana, 'Tax Exclusion' Loophole Costs State Hundreds of Millions
Dozens of categories of business transactions are not subject to the state sales tax in Louisiana, thanks to a special kind of tax break granted with increasing frequency in recent years by lawmakers. The tax breaks cost the state anywhere from $320 million to $920 million per year.
April 19, 2016
 · Zach Patton
Archive
Tennessee Set to Sue Federal Government Over Refugee Resettlement
The state would be the first to file suit against Washington over the intake of refugees from Syria and elsewhere.
April 19, 2016
 · Zach Patton
Archive
California Lawmakers Seek to Tighten Bullet Train Oversight, Suggesting Growing Concern
Until the last six months, the Democrat-controlled Legislature largely had kept its hands off the project, but a new proposed measure would set additional reporting requirements for the $64-billion bullet train project.
April 19, 2016
 · Zach Patton
Archive
Michigan Gov. Snyder Says He Will Drink Flint Water for Next 30 Days
Snyder's actions followed developments last week, when the governor encouraged Flint residents to start using more filtered tap water instead of bottled water and was told by a state official that Flint residents wanted him to start drinking the tap water first.
April 19, 2016
 · Zach Patton
Archive
New Food Safety Law Gives States a Big Role
Growers of fresh fruit and vegetables will be subject to food safety regulations for the first time under the federal Food Safety Modernization Act. States will start to decide this year if they will enforce the law or leave it to the federal government.
April 19, 2016
 · Zach Patton
Archive
Five Dead in Houston-Area Flooding
After a deluge of up to 16 inches in some places, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a disaster declaration for nine surrounding counties.
April 19, 2016
 · Zach Patton
Archive
Hundreds of Thousands of Californians May Have Mistakenly Registered for This Political Party
The American Independent Party is the state's third-largest political party. But a new investigation suggests many voters may have registered with the ultraconservative group by mistake.
April 18, 2016
 · Zach Patton
Latest News
Voters Angry About Big Money in Politics Take Their Complaints to City Hall
A backlash against monied interests in politics that has buoyed the White House bids of Donald Trump and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is reverberating far beyond this year’s presidential race. The huge sums swamping campaigns have prompted voters to appeal to city halls and state capitols, hoping to curb the influence of wealthy donors in their communities.
April 18, 2016
 · Zach Patton
Load More
gov-footer-logo-2024.png
gt-footer-logo.png
ii-footer-logo.png
nav-footer-logo.png
cdg-footer-logo.png
cde-footer-logo.png
cpsai-footer-logo.png
em-footer-logo.png