How 911 innovations improve dispatchers’ lives and keep communities safe
COMMENTARY | Using technology to divert administrative and non-emergency calls from 911 centers keeps crews focused on their high impact jobs and makes it easier for communities to hire and retain qualified dispatchers.
This new law will help health care workers save lives in ambulances that cover wide-open West Texas
The emerging technology, paid for by a grant established during the 2023 legislative session, will help emergency health care workers talk with doctors in emergency rooms to better care for critical patients.
Governors may make good presidents—unless they become ‘imperial governors’ like DeSantis
COMMENTARY | The transition from governor to president isn't so simple, one expert says. Governors must understand the dominance they held at the state level does not carry over into the federal government.
State shifts mobile driver’s licenses into higher gear
Thanks to the growing adoption of smartphone wallets and mobile payment technologies like Apple Pay and Google Pay, Colorado officials expect the state’s mDL to gain wide acceptance.
Treasury expands the uses of ARPA funding
Under interim rules, the federal agency would allow state and local governments to spend coronavirus relief money on natural disasters, additional transportation projects and housing, among other uses.
More public sector workers needed. Lots more.
Without more staff, state and local governments may not be able to compete for federal funding programs—or deliver on grants they win.
More cities address ‘shade deserts’ as extreme heat triggers health issues
Cities are trying to build heat resiliency into their infrastructure—including by boosting their tree canopy— all while experts warn of a public health threat growing more severe each year.
US water infrastructure ‘unsustainable’ amid rapidly evolving crisis, report warns
The United States is facing an unsustainable demand for water and lacks the security posture to defend the nation’s water systems from emerging threats, according to a new report.
Cities struggle to solve the public restroom problem
There's a lack of public restrooms in U.S., which particularly affects the homeless. New policies and portable toilet models are helping to address the shortage.
Round-the-clock speed cameras improve safety in a city that never sleeps
New York City saw a 25% drop in traffic deaths and a 30% decrease in tickets issued after state lawmakers let it operate their speed cameras on nights and weekends.
How local government can drive housing innovation
COMMENTARY | Raleigh, North Carolina, tapped into a nontraditional vendor pool to find new ways of using so-called granny flats to boost affordable housing.
Virginia is bailing on a carbon cap-and-invest program. Activists say that might be illegal.
If the state ditches the program, millions of dollars in climate resilience funding could be lost.
Cities are embracing teen curfews, though they might not curb crime
Experts worry that curfews disproportionately target young people of color.
To solve the affordable housing crisis, some communities are turning to hotels
The pandemic presented communities with a unique opportunity to convert hotels into residential spaces, creating everything from temporary transitional housing to long-term supportive homes. But is the model sustainable today?
Transit agencies scramble to piece together funding as ‘fiscal cliff’ looms
Ridership in San Francisco and New York remains below pre-pandemic levels. As the end of federal aid nears, these agencies are racing to shore up funding.
3 low-risk, low-budget ways state and local governments can protect their data
COMMENTARY | By taking advantage of federal resources and leaning into autonomous technology and cybersecurity education, agencies can keep constituent data safe.
Life in a rural ‘ambulance desert’ means sometimes help isn’t on the way
Rural health care services like ambulances and hospitals are often spread few and far between, research shows. A shortage of services puts residents' health at risk and even affects local economies, experts say.
Water conservation model built on the Rio Grande may be a template for rest of US
Sen. Martin Heinrich hopes to add a nationwide groundwater conservation program to the Farm Bill.
Flexible work options keeps the public sector competitive in these post-pandemic times
COMMENTARY | Agencies that offer remote work options find it easier to hire and retain talent and meet their diversity, equity and inclusion goals.
States ramp up software security standards amid growing threats
Collaboration among states to tighten the security of cloud software is increasing under the nationwide program StateRAMP. Meanwhile, Texas is embracing its own certification effort after several high-profile cyber incidents.
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