Despite the overhaul of the federal system, state premiers still have substantial veto power.

ECONOMIST: Almost a year on, the wheels seem to be falling off

Ohio's economy has rebounded during Gov. John Kasich's term, and he has promoted plans to overhaul the state's tax code and school funding system.

WSJ: New generation of governors seeking the limelight

The state still plans to consolidate many of its assistance services, and to enlist a contractor to overhaul the computer system to allow offices to share databases containing case information.

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He ran for the California assembly and scored an upset victory, and then successfully led the charge to overhaul that state's chaotically corrupt regulation of the liquor industry, to reform its inefficient, labyrinthine water system and to save San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts.

FORBES: Fact and Comment