MuniLand

Changing energy consumption patterns in the United States will involve a lot of creative approaches. Here is a fascinating “cultural revolution in progress.” Via Grist

Good Links

GAO: Federal agency issues report on state and local government pension plan

NYT: Editorial: How to pay for pensions

WPRI.com: Mayor: Smaller pensions will save Providence

Bond Buyer: Puerto Rico, Houston and New York lead a hefty slate of municipal bond issuance

PA Budget and Policy Center: Banks, schools and the ongoing problem of interest rate swaps

Birmingham News: Jefferson County’s chapter 9 bankruptcy petition can proceed, judge rules

Cincinnati.com: Ohio governor turns down federal disaster aid following tornadoes

LA Times: Things will never be the same as state budget cuts hit small-town Ohio

Cleveland.com: Ohio governor to propose new tax on fracking to give Ohioans a personal income tax cut

@Twitter Talk

@archivesnews National Archives‏ James Madison appears on this census; the first time it was on a standard printed form. ow.ly/9jj7K

@TexasLRL Legislative Library   From NCSL: How are states doing on the 2nd anniversary of the Affordable Care Act? Good collection of articles: goo.gl/sUqjN

@munilass Bond Girl    Since recession, 35 states have reduced pension benefits to cut costs, half have increased member contributions.

@johngramlich John Gramlich  Ohio gov Kasich declines federal disaster aid after tornadoes:  bit.ly/wMKK3R

@detnews The Detroit News    Chronic mismanagement prompts state to ask Detroit to transfer services for poor to nonprofit.  detne.ws/xG9Kg3

@CivicFederation The Civic Federation    IIFS Blog Post: “The Section 25 Exception: How Illinois Defers Medicaid Bills”  bit.ly/section25

@41jellis John Ellis   Why New Jersey will be the first to crash:  burypensions.wordpress.com/2012/03/04/why…

@tmaniccia Tim Maniccia   Firefighters, pension officials & St. Louis city leaders cracking down on costly firefighter disability benefits. stltoday.com/news/local/gov…

@todaysthedayHBG Tara Leo Auchey   “Creative Construction: The New Phase of American Municipal Finance”  thisbigcity.net/creative-const…