Cover Story
The Man of Tomorrow: As Jerry Brown Leaves Office, He's Still Focused on the Future
BY Alan Greenblatt
Unlike most politicians, California's outgoing governor has made planning ahead a staple of his leadership -- even if it means going against his own party.
FEATURES
Infrastructure & Environment
Offshore Wind Could Be the Next Big Breakthrough in Renewable Energy
After decades of false starts, turbines are starting to turn in several coastal states.
BY Graham Vyse
Public Safety & Justice
Tulsa Struggles to Make Amends for a Massacre It Ignored for Nearly a Century
The Oklahoma city's "Black Wall Street" was one of the richest African-American neighborhoods in the country. Then whites burned it to the ground.
BY Liz Farmer
Urban
To Get Rid of Blight, Baltimore Tries Something New
The city, which has more empty and dilapidated houses than most, is making buyers prove that they can afford to purchase a home -- and to fix it up.
BY David Kidd
Health & Human Services
How a Tiny Office in Ohio Is Transforming Health Care
Some say John Kasich is "the first governor who has been able to move the private sector to really participate in health-care reform."
BY Mattie Quinn
OBSERVER
Politics & Elections
All of the Above? The Ancient Voting Method One City Might Adopt
Advocates say "approval voting," which has never been used in electoral politics, offers voters more flexibility.
BY Alan Greenblatt
Public Safety & Justice
Crime Victims' Rights Added to Several States' Constitutions
Supporters of so-called Marsy's Law hope eventually to amend the U.S. Constitution.
BY Alan Greenblatt
Politics & Elections
With 2020 Census Looming, Governments Face Many Unknowns
Uncertainties about resources, and a question about residents' citizenship status, are making localities more nervous than usual about not counting people.
BY Alan Greenblatt
Finance
State Tax Breaks Are Hurting Chicago's Suburbs
While some homeowners are now paying nothing in property taxes, businesses and local governments are feeling the pinch.
BY Alan Greenblatt
Assessments
When Citizen Engagement Becomes Too Much
Politicians say they want citizens to be involved. But it can make things harder to achieve.
BY Alan Ehrenhalt
Washington Watch
A Crisis in Motion: America's Transportation Dilemma
Federal policy, and other factors, are disrupting efforts to improve transit and forcing urban planners to make tough choices.
BY Peter Harkness
Urban Notebook
In Baltimore, Police Seem Everywhere and Nowhere at Once
The city could be accused of policing too much and too little.
BY Scott Beyer
Health & Human Services
Your ZIP Code Determines Your Life Expectancy, But Not in These 7 Places
What sets these outliers apart?
BY Mike Maciag
THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNMENT
Smart Management
Why Are So Many Government Projects Late and Over Budget?
Ironically, it can happen because managers skip steps in an effort to go faster.
BY Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene
On Leadership
In Government, There's a Big Difference Between Power and Leadership
Anyone can learn to lead. Not everyone has the courage to do it.
BY Mark Funkhouser
Public Money
How 'Opportunity Zones' Could Transform Communities
The new federal program could lure fresh investment to distressed areas. But the clock is ticking.
BY Anne Kim
Transportation & Infrastructure
Privatization or Not, Governments' Responsibilities Never End
A bridge collapse in Italy shows the complexity that arises when private companies manage public assets.
BY Nicole Gelinas
Health & Human Services
Treating Childhood Trauma Becoming a Public Policy Priority
States and cities are trying to use science to create better policies and programs. New federal foster care rules are complicating their efforts.
BY Mattie Quinn
Infrastructure & Environment
Renewable Energy Is Growing Faster Than Many Experts Expected
It's leading an increasing number of state and local governments to commit to 100 percent clean energy goals.
BY Elizabeth Daigneau
Education
Why This High School Football Team Spends $20,000 for Every Game
Photos and musings from our photographer.
BY David Kidd
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