Management
2024 mission for state and local leaders: Protect democracy
COMMENTARY | By making voting easy, transparent and secure, state and local leaders can ensure election systems remain strong in 2024.
Emerging Tech
Generative AI has ‘significant, beneficial’ uses for state government
A report from California on the technology found that it could improve performance and make services more accessible to residents, but risks must be mitigated.
Finance
After a pandemic pause, Detroit restarts water shut-offs—part of a nationwide trend as costs rise
COMMENTARY | Cities are turning to water shut-offs as more water service bills go unpaid as utility costs continue to climb.
Sponsor Content
Electronic Payments Technology
Uncover the key to increasing government efficiency and meeting the expectations of residents through practical advice on implementing the right technology stack for electronic payment methods.
Digital Government
High fees, long waits cast shadow over new criminal expungement laws
A clear record helps people seeking employment, housing and education.
Finance
City leaders fund child care center with tax district typically used for roads, sewer
By creating a tax increment financing district, Madison, South Dakota, looks to build a child care center to improve local economic development and access to child care services.
Management
Help for rural governments tackling the opioid crisis
The Reaching Rural Initiative helped officials in Harnett County, North Carolina, develop an opioid emergency response plan and a program to direct formerly incarcerated individuals to treatment.
Infrastructure
Former coal towns get money for clean energy projects
Coal, oil and gas communities are receiving an amount of investment that is far above their share of the population.
Cybersecurity
Funding for local cybersecurity efforts is insufficient, survey says
Local government IT executives are reluctant to even ask elected officials for more, according to the group behind the survey, knowing requests will likely be rejected.
Management
1 in 3 people dropped by Utah Medicaid left uninsured, a ‘concerning’ sign for nation
Without Medicaid coverage, more individuals nationwide are left without uninsured. Observers warn people may delay seeking needed care or be left with unaffordable bills when they get it without access to health insurance coverage.
Digital Government
As state sues Meta, it also urges social media literacy instruction for kids
The key is making sure that children understand the difference between harmful screen time and quality screen time, one observer says.
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Management
How a different kind of drug testing can help communities stave off overdoses
Insights from advanced drug-testing services are proving essential for public health officials struggling to contain an evolving crisis.
Sponsor Content
The Transformation of Government Services
From chatbots to digital IDs, state and local governments are bringing innovative services to their communities to streamline and speed up daily operations.
Infrastructure
One solution to fight climate change? Fewer parking spaces.
Less parking could pave the way for denser housing and more accessible public transportation.
Management
Study: Gas-powered lawn mowers and leaf blowers produce as much pollution as long car trips
A report from the Maryland Department of the Environment report recommends that state and local governments promote the use of electric lawn equipment instead of air polluting tools like leafblowers.
Management
Tears in our beer: Climate change could hurt beer drinkers
Hotter, drier summers could threaten the quality and quantity of a key ingredient to a refreshing beer, experts warn.
Management
Cursive makes a comeback—by law—in public schools
‘Keyboarding’ pushed cursive out of favor, but some lawmakers miss the script.
Infrastructure
Despite falling gas prices, some politicians push ahead with tax breaks
Governors often suspend gas taxes for an easy political win with voters. But fuel taxes already face an uncertain future.
Infrastructure
White House finalizes rule requiring states to target vehicle pollution
The controversial requirement will almost certainly meet resistance from Republicans both in states and Congress, who question the legal basis for the new rules.
Management
New health care grants look to reform how hospitals are paid
The program wants to increase primary care for Medicare and Medicaid recipients while reducing hospital and emergency room visits.
Management