Cover Story
Beyond North Carolina's LGBT Battle: States' War on Cities
BY Alan Greenblatt
North Carolina's fight over LGBT protections is part of a larger recent shift in political dynamics: States are thwarting local laws any chance they get -- while simultaneously complaining about federal intrusion on their own.
FEATURES
Elections
In Baltimore Mayor’s Race, Sheila Dixon Seeks Forgiveness and a Second Chance
The former mayor, convicted of corruption, is trying to win back voters’ trust. The odds are she will.
BY J.B. Wogan
Public Safety & Justice
Synthetic Drugs: An Emerging, Evolving Threat
While states are focused on the opioid epidemic, they may not be paying enough attention to the lab-created drugs that are hard to control.
BY John Buntin
Infrastructure & Environment
Massachusetts’ Unlikely Transit Team
The state’s secretary of transportation, Stephanie Pollack, is a liberal in a conservative administration and an advocate in an administrative post. But she’s making it work.
BY Daniel C. Vock
Management & Labor
Governments Struggle to Root Out Fake Minority Contractors
States and cities want to support women- and minority-owned businesses. But they often don’t know who they’re really paying.
BY Mattie Quinn
OBSERVER
Public Safety & Justice
Window for Criminal Justice Reform Closing in Congress
It’s one of the few issues with bipartisan support in Washington. But for several reasons, the chances for change this year are dwindling.
BY Alan Greenblatt
Finance
Chicago’s Shockingly Bad Finances
You’ve probably read about the Windy City’s money problems. But chances are they're worse than you thought, and a recent ruling didn't help.
BY Liz Farmer
Management & Labor
Public Unions Claim Victory in Supreme Court's 4-4 Tie
The ruling lets unions keep collecting fees from nonunion members -- for now. The case is likely to be retried.
BY Mike Maciag
Infrastructure & Environment
D.C. Commuters Could Go Airborne
The city may build an aerial gondola to shuttle people into and out of its oldest neighborhood.
BY Daniel C. Vock
POLITICS + POLICY
Assessments
The Shaky Edifice of Federal Power
As states act more like independent sovereigns, Washington has itself to blame.
BY Alan Ehrenhalt
Washington Watch
College Debt and the People Presidential Candidates Have to Win Over Most
Presidential contenders have plans for making college more affordable. But it's an issue not easily solved from the Oval Office.
BY Donald F. Kettl
Politics & Elections
What Well-Liked Governors Have in Common
Many of the governors with the highest approval ratings were elected on the other party’s turf.
BY Alan Greenblatt
Public Safety & Justice
Making a Drug More Available to Save Addicts' Lives
There's a growing movement to make the drug that can reverse overdoses widely available at pharmacies, police departments and schools.
BY Mattie Quinn
Infrastructure & Environment
Oregon's Anti-Coal Law Could Have Far-Reaching Effects
In a decision that could spell the end for coal in the West, Oregon became the first state in the nation to pass legislation to completely do away with the dirty energy source.
BY Elizabeth Daigneau
Transportation & Infrastructure
From 'Her' to 'Mr. Robot': Movies and TV Make Public Transit Hip
Riding the subway is a sign of a good life -- according to pop culture, anyway.
BY Alex Marshall
Urban Notebook
In Defense of the Urban Freeway
There's a push to tear them down. But they're one of the biggest things driving the urban renaissance.
BY William Fulton
PROBLEM SOLVER
Education
'Fragmented' School Districts: A Complicated Issue
In much of the country, school districts survive even when they have few students. In an era of budget cutbacks, these districts are prime targets for consolidation.
BY Mike Maciag
Smart Management
States Start Making Colleges Work for Funding
At least 20 states are developing performance-based systems for funding higher education. The impact varies widely from state to state.
BY Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene
On Leadership
An Older, Poorer America Is Coming
As more aging Americans slip into poverty, governments need to be ready.
BY Mark Funkhouser
Tech Talk
CIOs Fear Mass Exodus of Government IT Workers
States are not only anticipating a wave of retirements but also trouble filling the vacancies. How are they preparing?
BY Tod Newcombe
Public Money
The Great Recession's Lessons on Rainy Day Funds
At least one state is using the experience to find a new way to prepare for the next recession.
BY Justin Marlowe
Urban
With NYC's Wi-Fi Kiosks, People Can Practically Go Phoneless
The sleek new stations throughout the city let users make 911 calls and search the web -- all for free.
BY David Kidd
CONTACT US
GOVERNING offices are located at:
1100 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Suite 1300
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: (202) 862-8802
Fax: (202) 386-7270
Contact us for general questions.
REPRINTS
Reprints of all articles (500 words minimum) are available. Please direct inquiries for reprints and licensing to Wright's Media (877) 652-5295 or sales@wrightsmedia.com
