States and cities need to promise less

This article is discussing the potential of the borrowing and debt from promises made (pension and health care) and the challenges and warnings to various governments.   There is one quick-telling visual of the map of the U.S. with the pension gap highlighted in colors for states where this gap is greater than 50% of annual revenues.  http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21582258-it-not-just-detroit-american-cities-and-states-must-promise-less-or-face-disaster

Making the 990 form reach its potential

This article is oriented to nonprofits who want to ensure that the Form 990 is prepared in a way that will meet the needs of various stakeholders.   Five recommendations are provided, with some good suggestions and reasoning.
http://www.cpa2biz.com/Content/media/PRODUCER_CONTENT/Newsletters/Articles_2013/CorpTax/MakeForm990Work.jsp

One helpful item that is linked within the article that might be of interest is testimony from last year related to this area.   I am separately linking to that testimony which had suggestions, and a little bit of history of  the Form 990.  http://waysandmeans.house.gov/uploadedfiles/borenstein_testimony_7.25.pdf

Some future scenarios for Detroit

as per these educators  http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/7313.html

Large U.S. municipal bankruptcies

are discussed in this article  http://247wallst.com/special-report/2013/07/19/the-largest-municipal-bankruptcies-in-u-s-history/

Detroit files for bankruptcy

Trying to stop 60 years of decline, Detroit is the largest American City to file for bankruptcy.   The governor's representative, Kevin Orr discusses the 15 months he has left in his 18 month term, to try to help Detroit.   The lawyer for the retirement systems see it as betrayal, as well as others who view it as a dark day.   Many citizens will watch this situation with interest.  http://www.freep.com/article/20130718/NEWS01/307180107/Detroit-files-Chapter-9-bankruptcy-amid-staggering-debts

Moody's affirms U.S. bond rating

Says this represents a move toward stability.   Go triple A....but don't get too confident.   http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/18/us-usa-ratings-moodys-idUSBRE96H1AC20130718

constituents provide input into GASB processes

is detailed in this article http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/gov-the-trouble-with-gasb.html