Groundbreaking research and great ideas, at the cutting edge of scholarship, grace the pages of scholarly publications, and are all critically important for strategic insights to optimise the state. Especially in relation to local government, an impressive body of literature is surging. Featured in this September edition of the Journal of Public Administration are articles on local government, which are research-based, examining various aspects of local governance. They follow the thematic trail of those that appear in the 2016 March edition of this Journal and many others. One of the most gratifying moments of the editor is to interact with the ideas that can optimise the state. But, are they really and fully put to use? If so, why is the management of public affairs in a shambles, especially in the local sphere of governance?