Voters don’t always have final say—state legislatures and governors are increasingly undermining ballot measures that win
COMMENTARY | Election year 2024 will see citizen initiatives on the ballot across the country, some focused on abortion rights. But there’s a growing trend of lawmakers altering initiatives after they have passed.
Local transit agencies mimicking Uber and Lyft are seeing big ridership gains
Connect is so popular that it’s having trouble keeping up with demand, even as the Minnesota legislature allocated over $9 million last year to build out Connect and similar systems statewide.
Preparing for climate change risks to the 2024 elections
COMMENTARY | A natural disaster could quickly overwhelm a voting district and render prior planning moot, so officials should plan and practice how they will conduct elections in the wake of a disaster that displaces voters, destroys blank ballots or damages election equipment.
As online gambling expands, so do concerns about addictions
Mobile sports betting is live and legal in 37 states and Washington, D.C. Online casino games are legal in 7 states. Those numbers could grow in 2024.
Do land-use reforms spur housing development? You betcha.
After years of adjusting land-use regulations, Minneapolis boosted its housing stock by 12%, while rents grew at just 1%. Meanwhile, the rest of Minnesota increased its stock by 4% as rents rose 14%.
Berkeley’s gas ban is all but dead. What does that mean for other cities?
Despite another defeat in court, experts say cities still have plenty of options for electrifying buildings.
Most people dropped in Medicaid ‘unwinding’ never tried to renew coverage, Utah finds
Medicaid officials in Utah conducted a survey to answer a burning question in health policy: What happened to people dropped from the program in the post-pandemic "unwinding"?
Migrant fight expands to suburbs, could force federal shutdown
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s actions are drawing more state and local leaders into debates over caring for migrants, while House Republicans target the Biden administration on border security. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
Medication aides could help states remedy health care worker shortages
Nursing homes are squeezed between a workforce shortage and a swelling older adult population. States are trying to address both issues with one solution: medication aides.
How to craft fair, transparent data-sharing agreements
Effective decision making often requires a complex process of gathering data from different sources. A new framework for data-sharing agreements streamlines the process.
State elections board debates using race as a criterion in signature verification pilot
A North Carolina pilot program looks to verify mailed ballots using a signature-matching software after a debate over using race to ensure diversity.
States begin tapping Medicaid dollars to combat gun violence
Despite national homicide rates declining, some cities still see violence prevail. And with the number of gun purchases at a historical high in the U.S., states are turning to Medicaid funding to support violence prevention programs.
GOP lawsuit over CO2 rules attacks Biden administration for overreach, pushes climate denial
Joined by 21 states, the complaint falsely claims there is “no consensus” on the causes of climate change. One environmental advocate said the argument is “like suing NASA for saying the world is round.”
Employees need drastic reskilling to deal with generative AI’s data needs
Data analysts are just one part of the picture, observers said. Governments will also need data architects and business analysts, as well as ethicists to help with its responsible use.
Teachers can’t afford housing, so school districts are building homes
When potential teachers are considering a position, they often want to know what’s available for affordable housing. “If I don’t have an answer for that, I lose that applicant,” one school district superintendent says.
State lawmakers seek to limit property tax increases as home values soar
Property taxes are rising along with real estate prices—particularly in the Mountain West.
A carbon offset project that’s actually working
Visiting Alaska is an emissions-heavy prospect. An innovative program has tourists ease that by helping buy heat pumps for locals.
States hope doulas can deliver better maternal health outcomes
Lawmakers are pouring resources into health care services like doula programs to improve comprehensive reproductive and maternal health care.
A seasoned legislator looks to help newcomers navigate the complex world of lawmaking
As state legislatures across the country prepare for the new session, Washington state Sen. Karen Keiser offers newly elected lawmakers advice in a new book that looks back on a 25-year career.
The future of government jobs: Post generative AI
In the wake of dramatic technological advances, the workplace of the future will be far different than was envisioned a year ago.
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