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Alabama’s One-Man Pension Show

BY Liz Farmer

He’s not the governor. He’s not a lawmaker. But thanks to the way he runs his state’s pension plans, David Bronner may be the most powerful man in Alabama.

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The Miami Method for Zoning: Consistency Over Chaos

After a population explosion and building binge led to haphazard and random growth, Miami became the nation's first big urban area to adopt a citywide code based on looks. BY Zach Patton

Murder Mystery: Can New Orleans Control Its Homicide Rate?

The city has made real progress in its battle against homicide, but a recent rise in crime puts it all into question. BY J.B. Wogan

Has School Choice Been All It Set Out to Be?

As the movement slows, policymakers have the opportunity to explore whether school choice has improved education overall. BY Alan Greenblatt

State Capitols: Above It All

Many state capitols were designed to inspire with soaring architecture. The view from the top offers a unique perspective. BY David Kidd

OBSERVER

In Online Sales Tax Fight, States Adopt New Tactics

States are passing laws that -- they hope -- will lead to lawsuits that land the issue before the U.S. Supreme Court. BY Liz Farmer

Why Is Public Corruption So Common in South Texas?

In Crystal City, nearly every public official is facing criminal charges. But it’s not the region’s only place plagued by corruption. BY Alan Greenblatt

The Secret to a Successful Bike Share

Seattle’s struggle to attract riders reveals what makes a bike-share program thrive -- or in the Emerald City’s case, barely survive. BY Daniel C. Vock

Turning Black Lives Matter Protests Into Policy

A bipartisan group of public officials, called the 20/20 Club, is working to translate the energy of the movement into meaningful legislation on law enforcement and criminal justice. BY Alan Greenblatt

POLITICS + POLICY

The Establishment? It’s Long Gone.

There’s a common perception that the Establishment is disappearing. In fact, it died decades ago at all levels of government. BY Alan Ehrenhalt

Washington, D.C.’s Monumental Decay

In D.C., above and below ground, historic and vital infrastructure is in bad shape. There’s plenty of blame to spread around for that. BY Peter Harkness

Losing Control in Legislatures, Democrats Shift Focus to Ballots

To further their causes, Democrats are bypassing lawmakers and turning to voters. BY Alan Greenblatt

Black, Gay and HIV Positive: A Long-Neglected Group

Alarming infection rates bring more attention to treatment in communities of color. BY Mattie Quinn

Why Women Could Be the Key to Curbing Water Pollution

In Minnesota, women will be paid to persuade resistant farmers to care and do something about the state's increasingly polluted waterways. BY Daniel C. Vock

De-Industrialization and the Displaced Worker

The shift from a manufacturing-based economy to a technology- and services-based one hasn’t been kind to the middle and working classes. That won’t change anytime soon. BY Aaron M. Renn

The Perils and Promises of a Popular Yet Controversial Financing Method

Tax increment financing has been used to build stadiums, libraries and parks. BY Scott Beyer

BY Liz Farmer

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