Digital Government
County’s advanced mapping tool supports development decisions
Henry County, Georgia, used it to decide where freight facilities should go. But the computer-based tool could be repurposed to help other communities address their hot-button issues.
Digital Government
GOP states announce new voter roll systems. Are they as secure as ERIC?
An expert in elections administration and one of the founders of ERIC says the new systems could suffer from low data quality, high costs and inadequate security.
Management
California officials seek ‘care’ without coercion as new mental health courts launch this fall
Under the new system, family members and first responders can ask county judges to order people with psychotic illness into treatment, even if they are not unhoused or haven’t committed a crime.
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Finance
Traffic tickets can be profitable, and fairness isn’t the bottom line in city courts where judges impose the fines
COMMENTARY | Research shows police officers issue more traffic tickets and judges impose more fines when their city gets the money and when the budget is tight. But if states change the rules about who keeps the money, the incentives for revenue maximization go away.
Workforce
City frames art as a way to bolster mental health services
A pilot program in Chicago looks to address mental health workforce shortages, while exploring the benefits of holistic treatment through mediums like art.
Finance
Should states and localities be worried about the U.S. downgrade?
Or about the possibility of another one amid the budget showdown in Congress? Fitch Ratings’ decision to knock the federal government’s credit rating down a notch last month doesn’t directly affect state and local credit quality. But it’s a warning shot.
Digital Government
Smart cities need a new mindset, not just new technology
A smart city is more than just a buzzword these days. It’s a mindset and skill set that employees must have to navigate today’s challenges, one expert says.
Management
How will rural Americans fare during Medicaid unwinding? Experts fear they’re on their own
Rural residents face additional barriers to renewing their Medicaid coverage, including longer distances to eligibility offices, less access to the internet or a lack of health insurance counselors in their communities.
Management
Is the Census taking steps to count the millions of LGBTQ+ Americans overlooked?
The Census Bureau’s plans to test questions about sexual orientation and gender identity in the American Community Survey is the latest step in a years-long push to improve national data on LGBTQ+ people.
Finance
Low-income water assistance program set to end
Advocates are pushing to extend the program as poverty rates in the U.S. are on rise, an increase attributed to the end of other expanded pandemic benefits for food, rent and unemployment.
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Workforce
Job opportunities targeting workers with ADHD and autism gain traction
North Carolina wants to attract more neurodivergent people to IT work. It is one of many such initiatives in government.
Sponsor Content
As the built environment changes, AI and machine learning tell a more complete story
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Management
Massachusetts has a huge waitlist for state-funded housing. So why are 2,300 units vacant?
One cause of the vacancies is the online waitlist system the state rolled out four years ago.
Digital Government
New voter roll system unveiled after ERIC withdrawal
Alabama debuted a new system to manage the state’s registered voter rolls, completing a goal to replace the Electronic Registration Information Center system. Observers said the state seemed to simply be creating a newer version of the system it left behind.
Finance
Are tax incentives boons or boondoggles?
Though there’s lots of evidence that the economic development tool may not be effective, it is still in wide use. Fortunately, there are ways to control the potential waste of taxpayer dollars.
Workforce
A $10K incentive opens the door to homeownership for city employees
In a bid to attract and retain workers, Baltimore will double its financial incentive for city employees who purchase a home in one of its “middle neighborhoods.”
Workforce
Program helps manufacturers train workers for an all-electric future
Through the initiative, Minnesota is looking to address a lack of electrification courses designed for employees. The state also believes it will create employment growth in Minnesota.
Infrastructure
FEMA rolls out climate adaptation loans for small and overlooked communities
The federal disaster relief agency has taken heat for steering past resilience funds to whiter, wealthier areas.
Management
As cities struggle to shelter migrants, calls for federal action grow
State and local leaders have resorted to desperate measures—sometimes circumventing the federal government—to find housing and support for the influx of asylum seekers. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
Management