December 2011

CONSIDERING THE COUNT
By William Frey
One of the nation’s leading demographers points to population changes that will shape the next decade.

• POLICY, POLITICS AND POPULATION
  By Edward P. Smith
  lawmakers can track trends and gain valuable insight from the census.
   

• SEVEN SENTENCING PRINCIPLES
  By Donna Lyons
  Things lawmakers need to know about reforming corrections policy.
   
• THE DOPE ON DRUG SENTENCING
  By Alison Lawrence
  New approaches simplify sentencing, get more drug abusers treatment and save states money.
   
• SOLAR INDUSTRY: RISE AND SHINE
  By Glen Andersen
  The clouds of high costs haven’t darkened the solar promise.
   
• BOOK REVIEW: "BUDGETING, POLITICS AND POWER"
  Reviewed by Peggy Kerns
  A new book looks inside the budget process   

Voices

• TAKING THE FLOOR:  Four leaders on distractions, downturns and tough decisions.
   
• FOR THE RECORD: Richard Ravitch

Departments

• Then and Now
• Statestats
• People and Politics
• Trends and Transitions
• Stateline