Cover Story
25 Years Later, What Happened to 'Reinventing Government'?
BY John Buntin
The ambitious public management crusade of the 1990s has made a mark on governments everywhere. But it’s fallen short of some of its goals.
FEATURES
Infrastructure & Environment
In Flint's Aftermath, Water Will Run by New Rules
The water crisis in Michigan highlighted major problems with not just federal regulations but the way localities enforce them. That's all likely to change soon.
BY Daniel C. Vock
Urban
Why Are U.S. Mayors Missing Arguably the World’s Most Important Meeting for Urbanism?
Every 20 years, the United Nations has a conference to discuss the future of cities. So far, it appears almost no mayors from America will attend.
BY Carey L. Biron and Neal Peirce
Health & Human Services
Rural America Finally Gets Mental Health Help
People in remote areas have long lacked access to mental health services. The movement to fix that is showing signs of life.
BY Mattie Quinn
Finance
Big-Box Stores Battle Local Governments Over Property Taxes
The retailers are deploying a ‘dark store’ strategy that’s hurting cities and counties around the country.
BY Liz Farmer
OBSERVER
Politics & Elections
State AGs Are Increasingly Powerful -- and Partisan
The controversy surrounding Trump University showcases some of the sticky political situations that many attorneys general have been getting themselves in.
BY Alan Greenblatt
Politics & Elections
Texas Governor Leads Push to Rewrite the U.S. Constitution
Even if Greg Abbott spurs a national constitutional convention, there are many unanswered questions surrounding such an event.
BY Alan Greenblatt
Elections
D.C. Inches Closer to Becoming the 51st State
The plan to achieve statehood easily won voters' support on Tuesday. But will it win the support of Congress?
BY Alan Greenblatt
Management & Labor
New Minimum-Wage Laws Apply to More Industries
Exempting certain types of workers from raises is becoming a thing of the past.
BY Alan Greenblatt
POLITICS + POLICY
Assessments
Will Civics Education Make People Better Voters?
It's making a comeback in public schools. But to really make voters more informed, the curriculum could use an overhaul.
BY Alan Ehrenhalt
Washington Watch
Doubts About Pension Debt
We can’t be sure how much states and localities owe.
BY Peter Harkness
Elections
Governors Refuse to Stay on Sidelines for Legislative Races
Several Republican governors have actively campaigned against lawmakers in their own party this year -- in most cases, only to see their efforts backfire.
BY Alan Greenblatt
Health & Human Services
A New Kind of Paramedic for Less Urgent 911 Calls
Community paramedicine, which can drastically reduce unnecessary ER visits, could be the future of emergency care.
BY Mattie Quinn
Infrastructure & Environment
Will Scaling Back Solar Incentives Hurt Adoption?
Vermont, one of the nation’s most solar-friendly states, is about to find out.
BY Amber Tong
Transportation & Infrastructure
What Cities Need in the Global Economy
To thrive in today’s world, they need to connect with immigrants.
BY Aaron M. Renn
Urban Notebook
San Antonio’s Key to Economic Success: Immigrants
The city demonstrates how to leverage foreign partnerships.
BY Scott Beyer
PROBLEM SOLVER
Public Safety & Justice
Is There Really a ‘Ferguson Effect’?
Some say police officers are increasingly reluctant to intervene in dangerous situations, fueling a crime wave in cities throughout the nation. Others say that's just not true.
BY Mike Maciag
Smart Management
To Work on Parole Boards, No Experience Necessary
The people who decide criminals’ freedom are often ill-equipped to make informed decisions. That’s where risk assessment tools come in, but they aren't always used.
BY Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene
On Leadership
Just Catch the Killers
Solving homicide cases is the best way to prevent future ones.
BY Mark Funkhouser
Tech Talk
3 Ways Governments Are Fighting Hackers
Agencies are broadening a few conventional tactics to prevent cyberattacks.
BY Tod Newcombe
Public Money
Airbnb Creates an Affordable-Housing Dilemma for Cities
Cities are experimenting with ways to meet the goals of affordable housing while still reaping the benefits of the sharing economy.
BY Frank Shafroth
Infrastructure & Environment
Sick of Seeing Cigarette Butts on the Ground, Cities Get Creative
It’s the most littered item in the U.S. -- but it might not be if more places adopted this approach.
BY Elizabeth Daigneau
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