Finance

Marijuana 'Sin Tax' Collections Show Signs of Outpacing Alcohol

In states where cannabis is legal, a new analysis finds tax collections from it leading booze. But the money is a small share of state budgets and changes to the industry could affect revenues.

Finance

Affordable Housing Can Lift Nearby Home Values

A new Urban Institute study shows that for one city, property values in above- and below-median-income areas rose slightly when affordable housing was built nearby.

Public Safety

Guns Are Now the No. 1 Cause of Death for Kids and Teens

Firearms have surpassed motor vehicles as the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the United States, according to a new analysis of federal data.

Sponsor Content

Improving the Business of Government

A common operating picture can help agencies reduce friction, improve accountability, and meet the requirements laid out in the President’s Management Agenda.

Tech & Data

How One State Measures Post-pandemic Recovery

Economic leaders in New Jersey can see indicators and contextualize metrics with a solution that combines government, geographic and third-party economic data into an interactive dashboard.

Finance

Are States in Good Shape to Handle a Recession?

One leading economist puts the odds of a mild downturn at one in three over the next year. But experts who spoke at a Volcker Alliance event described factors states have in their favor.

Tech & Data

White House Looks to Focus Service Delivery Around ‘Life Events'

The Biden administration is fleshing out a plan to organize government services around the needs of Americans and not around agency org charts.

Public Safety

Conditions at Mississippi’s Most Notorious Prison Violate the Constitution, DOJ Says

“The problems at Parchman are severe, systemic, and exacerbated by serious deficiencies in staffing and supervision,” the report said.

Health & Human Services

Cities Pick up Pace on Reparations Efforts, and Controversy Follows

Localities are devising programs to provide redress for racial discrimination. But implementing them has brought out the critics.

Management

Employers Aggressively Recruiting Workers Not Seeking New Jobs

The increase in remote work has led to “boundary-less” recruiting, giving companies access to a larger pool of candidates, a new report shows.

Infrastructure

Making the Case for State Infrastructure Czars

A leading consultancy is backing the Biden administration’s idea that states should have a lead person to help navigate programs in the new infrastructure law.

Health & Human Services

The Most Livable Cities in the US

AARP published an index that measures how “livable” communities nationwide are, and ranks the top ones that meet residents' needs as they grow older.

Sponsor Content

Closing the Digital Divide: Approaches from Local Government Leaders

Internet access is no longer a want, it’s a need. Providing equal access to broadband connectivity has become top of mind for local government leaders country wide.

Public Safety

How Do You Plant More Trees in New York City? Give Them Away

In one Brooklyn neighborhood, saplings were available for residents to grab and plant in their own yards ahead of Earth Day.

Management

Short on Workers, State and Local Governments Look to Retirees

Lawmakers in multiple states are pursuing rule changes to enable former public sector employees to return to fields like corrections, bus driving and teaching.

Infrastructure

New Program Aims to Help Rural America Tap More Federal Funding

The Biden administration initiative is starting in five states and there are plans to expand it.

Infrastructure

Biden Reverses Trump's Rollback of Environmental Reviews for Infrastructure Projects

Critics say the latest update to the rules could bog down project timelines. But state transportation officials and environmental advocates welcomed the changes.

Public Safety

Best and Worst States for Women

A recent analysis looked at gender pay gaps, paid family leave, child care costs and domestic violence rates among other things.

Tech & Data

States Look to Virtual Reality for Workforce Development

Alabama and Arkansas have been using the technology to familiarize potential workers with entry-level skills.

Public Safety

An Invasive 'Jumping' Worm Spreads in the US, Threatening Forests

The worm is now showing up in multiple states. Its voracious eating habits could harm native wildlife and plants. Scientists say there isn't a way to combat the pest on a widespread scale.