On the online version of Governing Magazine, author Don Kettl writes about federal mandates taking a visible role across both major parties as the 2012 presiedntial election campaign carries on:

Big elections are about big ideas, and 2012 is undoubtedly a big election, with the balance of power in federalism at the core. But lurking behind that big question are even bigger puzzles that cut right to the heart of government’s role. When problems happen, whose job is it to solve them? And when government is the answer, just how far should it go?

Read the full article online here.

Kettl is also the dean of the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, and is expected to join MACo’s slate of speakers for the upcoming winter conference. For information about the conference or to register, see the conference brochure and online registration sections of the MACo website. Early registration rates run through December 7th.