Government structure in large U.S. cities: are forms converging?

This article examines changes in form of government and other structural elements over a fifteen year period for all cities with a population greater than 100,000. No evidence is found to support current theories related to form changes in large cities during this period. Some convergence between the council-manager and mayor-council forms has occurred in the use of district city council elections, directly-elected mayors, and professional management positions. However, disparities still exist between forms in the use of nonpartisan elections, mayoral voting power, and city council size. The changes in structural design reflect an increased blending of representation and efficiency values.     

A growth industry. Graduate programs in health care are expanding rapidly

The debate of over health care reform is now front and center on the national stage. So this year, U.S. News has added four surveys of educational programs in health professions--health services administration, pharmacy, nursing and dentistry--to its study of America's Best Graduate Schools (tables, Page 79). Following, a brief report on enrollment trends in each area.