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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Doubts About Pension Debt

We can’t be sure how much states and localities owe. BY Peter Harkness

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

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

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

San Antonio’s Key to Economic Success: Immigrants

The city demonstrates how to leverage foreign partnerships. BY Scott Beyer

PROBLEM SOLVER

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

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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REPRINTS

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