Finance
State, local guaranteed income programs set the stage for federal action
A growing body of research shows that local-level cash assistance initiatives can improve financial, housing and other outcomes for recipients. Federal lawmakers are taking notice.
Management
California inspired a wave of plastic bag bans — with an unfortunate loophole
The Golden State finally fixed its ban last month, but at least five other states still allow the distribution of extra-thick "reusable" plastic bags.
Management
20 states sue feds to block staffing mandates for nursing homes
The states say the new staffing requirements pose "an existential threat to the nursing home industry" and will force nursing homes to go out of business.
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Management
Survey: Americans think cities can't arrest their way out of the homelessness crisis
Supportive services and more government action is needed to reduce and prevent homelessness, according to a recent public opinion poll.
Infrastructure
The numbers are in: Trump boosted roads. Biden backs biking and walkers.
A new report by the Urban Institute shows how who sits in the White House affects what locals build with federal funds. That means changes are likely in store again after the November election.
Emerging Tech
States still on a ‘learning curve’ amid generative AI’s promise
Leaders acknowledged the technology’s promise at the recent National Association of State Chief Information Officers conference, but said data management is a major obstacle preventing widespread use in government.
Emerging Tech
For rural transit agencies, a rocky road to zero emissions
Rural public transit agencies are up against limited choices and resources as they work to decarbonize their fleets.
Management
How do you vote amid the hurricane damage? States are learning as they go.
North Carolina’s Board of Elections has made it easier for for residents in counties affected by Hurricane Helene to vote by maiI. In Florida, a federal judge declined to extend the voter registration deadline.
Infrastructure
State CIOs take on bigger role in natural disasters
A recent survey of state tech leaders found that CIOs are increasingly an integral part of state emergency operations, tasked with making sure critical systems and communications remain available.
Finance
A recipe for getting the finances right
COMMENTARY | Cities across the country are currently finalizing their budgets. But budgeting is just one ingredient in a city's financial success.
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Infrastructure
A boy’s bicycling death haunts a Black neighborhood. 35 years later, there’s still no sidewalk.
Pedestrian deaths are highest in formerly redlined areas, neighborhoods where Black people lived because of discriminatory federal mortgage lending practices. The lack of sidewalks, damaged walkways and roads in these communities are creating a little-recognized public health crisis.
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Management
Election skeptics are running some county election boards in Georgia. A new rule could allow them to exclude decisive votes.
An examination of a new election rule in Georgia suggests that local officials in just a handful of rural counties could exclude enough votes to affect the outcome of the 2024 presidential race.
Management
Ohio voters will once again weigh in on redistricting reform
After previous efforts to stop gerrymandering failed, Ohioans will try again—this time completely removing lawmakers and other politicians from the redistricting process.
Infrastructure
Can parking garages alleviate the housing and homelessness crisis?
COMMENTARY | There are hundreds of underutilized—sometimes empty—parking garages and lots across the country. They can be converted to much-needed housing.
Management
Woman’s suicide after repeated 911 calls reveals gaps in one city's pioneering crisis response system
Public health departments can tell you how many people they've referred for help and, possibly even, how many people have sought that help. But in Bend, Oregon, officials say it is harder to know how much of a difference the crisis response teams are making in actually saving lives.
Infrastructure
For Floridians in mobile homes, Hurricane Helene was a disaster waiting to happen
Trailers and manufactured homes have long served as a lifeline for struggling families. A warming world has made them a perilous place to live.
Finance
Soda tax revenues are falling in some cities. That can be a good and bad thing.
Tax soda, and people drink less of it. But successful soda taxes can create problems for the public health and development programs they support.
Management
Several states could change how their elections are run
Six states and Washington, D.C., will vote on ranked choice voting. Is the increasingly popular voting method’s honeymoon over?
Infrastructure
This city is turning subway trains into power stations
Barcelona is using the regenerative braking of its subways to power trains, stations and neighborhood EV chargers. Could New York do it too?
