This edition of The Business of Government magazine explores a vast array of topics and public management issues facing us today. it is about making connections: introducing our readers and connecting them to the work of government executives who are leading agencies or initiatives that are focused on critical missions. From the federal government’s role in emergency management; to its effort in making operations more sustainable, responsible, and efficient; to the challenges being faced and innovations being forged by local governments during difficult economic times, we offer timely, relevant, and thoughtful perspectives from leading practitioners and public managers. With such a diverse offering, there is a basic thread that weaves through most of the features in this edition—that is the importance of being informed and using information to make better decisions.