GOVERNING

Montana voters will consider a novel approach to limiting election spending that could challenge longstanding campaign finance rules and set a precedent nationwide, writes former Montana Sen. Jon Tester. bit.ly/4sCm99n

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott made school choice a signature political victory. Now, his Democratic challenger is turning the $1 billion program into a campaign issue. Will it work? bit.ly/4jThA8u

Just 15 of the nation's 99 state legislative chambers are considered competitive this election. But a handful of closely contested races could upend decades of single-party control and reshape state policies. bit.ly/4eaFMQ5

Eighteen years of suppressed interest rates are behind us, writes columnist Girard Miller. The old rules for public finance officials have to be rethought as U.S. government deficits and the AI boom create new financial conditions to grapple with.  bit.ly/4yMpnZt

Pennsylvania is once again at the center of a high-stakes election, with control of the House potentially hanging on some key races in the state. Election officials are preparing for everything from voter concerns to potential disruptions at the polls. bit.ly/4kiKNKc

When will election results become official in your state? This map shows how certification deadlines vary across the country and why election night is only the beginning of the process. bit.ly/3UuA9W6

As AI threatens white-collar jobs, small manufacturing shops could become an unexpected lifeline for local economies. These businesses may help preserve good-paying jobs and build a more resilient workforce, writes Ilana Preuss, CEO of Recast City.  bit.ly/4zZmiX1

How can data and collaboration drive better government outcomes? In the latest episode of The Common Thread, Governing's CEO talks with N.C. Budget Director Kristin Walker about leadership, smarter budgeting, and public service. Watch: bit.ly/4BpYBIW

The discovery of two critical flaws in a foundational programming language led governments and companies around the world to take down their websites last week. Here’s what happened, and how it affected state and local leaders. bit.ly/4szcWPl

Better government requires a willingness to experiment, challenge old processes, and learn what works. Former Boston CIO Santiago Garces discusses the value of experimentation in the latest episode of The Common Thread. Watch the full interview: bit.ly/4ikrgpZ

As funding cuts force nonprofit organizations to reduce staff and services, communities could find themselves facing costly gaps in essential programs. bit.ly/4z7uRiA

The biggest story of the midterms may not be who controls Congress, writes Leslie Graves, founder and CEO of Ballotpedia. Races down the ballot could reshape state and local government, with consequences for policies that affect Americans' daily lives. bit.ly/3W3JZij

Some public transit agencies lock in fuel prices ahead of time through a practice called hedging. That practice is paying off this year as fuel prices reach record highs.  bit.ly/4sdQOd7

Other states can learn from Louisiana’s nimble, efficient approach to expanding broadband access to underserved areas across the state, argues Nate Karren of the American Consumer Institute.  bit.ly/3TRIRh8

Putting riders first. Rebuilding trust. Challenging the status quo. Hear how Randy Clarke is leading change at Metro in the latest episode of The Common Thread. Catch the full conversation: bit.ly/4hZALuK #TheCommonThread #PublicLeadership #StateAndLocal

California’s biggest election stories aren’t necessarily getting the most attention. Beyond the governor’s race, consequential contests could reshape political representation and the balance of power in the state. bit.ly/4jJfSGT

A climate lawsuit out of Colorado could have consequences far beyond the state. The Supreme Court's decision could determine whether local governments can pursue fossil fuel companies in state courts and shape the future of climate litigation nationwide. bit.ly/4zwGdMH