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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.

Getting ready to take office is a lot like putting together a football team.
State and local officials are up in arms over a proposal in Congress that would change the way pension data is reported.
The federal government is urging states to adopt its 11-point plan to get dangerous drunk drivers off the road.
Incoming governors in two states pledged they wouldn't move forward on implementing President Obama's high-speed rail efforts in their states. So the federal government is distributing their funds elsewhere.
The tax bill the White House has negotiated fails to renew the popular Build America Bonds program, which makes borrowing less expensive for local governments.
Congress could force states and cities to allow union negotiation for police and fire fighters.
It's not so simple as switching to a 401(k).
Financial economics should apply to labor relations, not accounting.
Plus: Manager must-reads, the importance of good data, and more management news
Some say the federal government should send another round of aid to states.