Government software that shines: Solar permitting’s bright future in 2024
COMMENTARY | By automating the permitting process for rooftop solar, cities and counties can save time and money for their building departments and homeowners.
EPA expands water program to help more disadvantaged communities apply for grants
Many communities lack the resources necessary to conduct the technical assessments needed to win federal grants. The EPA wants to help.
Philly mayor might consider these lessons from NYC before expanding stop-and-frisk
In New York City, stop-and-frisk led to unwanted consequences, such as lawsuits against the city, greater racial disparities in the criminal justice system, citizen unrest and distrust of the police.
As millions wait on food stamp approvals, feds tell states to speed it up
To adequately staff safety net programs, some states are boosting workforce funding, and others are investing in new computer systems to speed up claims processing. But food security advocates say recent backlogs are a symptom of long-term disinvestment.
Israel, Ukraine package would increase funding to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia
As hate crimes increase in cities nationwide, some mayors and advocates are backing an effort in Congress to fund grants that would help synagogues and mosques bolster security.
How one state has mapped out its opioid recovery plans
The Garden State is pouring more than $95 million of its opioid settlement money into harm reduction, treatment and housing as it starts to mitigate substance use disorders.
As traffic fatalities remain high, states and feds meet to swap road safety ideas
The gathering marked the second anniversary of the Biden administration’s push to reduce roadway deaths. The feds also used the occasion to announce that $1.25 billion in grants is available for its Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
The race heats up for massive IRA state and local climate funding program
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program will award $4.6 billion to states and metro areas this year to implement aspects of local climate action plans.
Releasing suspects pretrial doesn’t lead to higher crime rates, experts say
Some states and jurisdictions are taking different approaches to cash bail.
Municipalities taxing stay-at-home workers during pandemic was OK, court says
The Ohio Supreme Court upheld a temporary state law that allowed employers to withhold municipal income tax irrespective of where their employees performed their work. The ruling sets a precedent in the state.
States clash over what responsible AI looks like
While some states are still establishing task forces and preparing to take advantage of the tech, others are more hesitant, warning of job losses and federal influence on a nascent industry.
Trust in government, and opportunities to rebuild it
Confidence in state and local government may have been waning in recent years, but there are ways communities can help to bolster their resident’s faith in them.
States turn up the heat on ESG investing
At issue is whether mandates about environmental, social and governance investment strategies infringe upon a state fiduciary’s duty to maximize returns.
8 states move to ban utilities from using customer money for lobbying
Utilities have come under fire for lobbying to stall climate policies and keep fossil fuel plants running.
No fare! Free bus rides raise questions of fairness, viability.
The strategy is especially helpful to lower-paid workers, but it might not be sustainable.
City extends police department’s ‘life changing’ 4-day workweek pilot
The decision comes after the data shows that the 32-hour workweek resulted in faster emergency response times and cost savings
Are the Build America rules slowing infrastructure progress?
State DOTs, transit agencies and the construction industry want the White House to make it easier to comply with rules designed to include American-made products in infrastructure projects.
Whole-of-state procurement gives local agencies better pricing, expert advice
Initially used to extend cybersecurity throughout government, the whole-of-state concept is also being used to push training and software licensing contracts to local agencies.
Herding elk: Drone use takes off in wildlife management
Wardens and biologists are finding ever-expanding uses for unmanned aircraft, which are being deployed across Wyoming and other states, saving on time and resources.
More taxpayer money benefits pro sports owners amid ‘stadium construction wave’
Research shows stadium and arena projects are poor public investments.
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