Budget Planning
Doing less with less: Coping with federal cutbacks and fiscal uncertainty
COMMENTARY | Shrinking revenues and rising costs put state and local governments in a bind, especially as the federal government retreats. Strategic austerity might be the path forward.
Texas school district sees efficiency gains with e-procurement
At a time when shrinking budgets are impacting school closures in the state, the Arlington Independent School District has turned to tech to better manage spending.
Virginia agency bets on AI to cut costs and keep state roads smooth
With road maintenance expenses up 68%, the Virginia Department of Transportation is turning to pilot programs to streamline decision-making.
Rethinking budgeting: A transformative approach for state and local governments
Given the fiscal realities that the majority of governments now face in the post-COVID era, they need to think differently about how they allocate their resources.
A recipe for getting the finances right
COMMENTARY | Cities across the country are currently finalizing their budgets. But budgeting is just one ingredient in a city's financial success.
After several years of rapid growth, state budgets are downsizing
For most states, 2025 represents a return to more typical economic conditions after an atypical period for their budgets.
Is it time to dig into rainy day funds?
Despite reserves bulging and revenue receding, state legislators and governors are reluctant to spend savings.
Why Washington Metro’s leader is ‘bullish’ on post-pandemic transit
Faced with a drop in riders and major budget shortfalls, Randy Clarke doubled down on providing more service to D.C.-area riders. It seems to be working.
Measuring and managing risk in the quest for resilience
COMMENTARY | Incidents like the Baltimore bridge collapse should motivate local leaders to think carefully about risk management, prevention and mitigation.
A range of emerging fiscal risks could disrupt state budgets
Tomorrow’s demographic, environmental, and technological trends require planning and action today.
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Billions in earmarks headed to states and cities
The funding comes despite conservative opposition to the federal government paying for specific local projects.
Biden proposes 'historic new program' to address child care shortages
In his budget, the president is asking Congress for more money for child care and the restoration of several pandemic-era programs, including the full child care tax expansion.
WIC, rental assistance get funding boost in newly unveiled spending bills
But the bipartisan proposals for six bills would cut funding to housing and transit programs.
States move to cut grocery taxes
Amid rising food prices, more states are reducing or eliminating a sales tax that impacts lower-income households the most.
Congress averts shutdown for third time in four months
A short-term spending deal was passed on a bipartisan vote in both the House and Senate. But, as some hoped, it does not provide additional funding for two critical programs helping low-income Americans.
Mayors push for Congress to address the migrant crisis
But could the partisan debate over the border derail funding to cities and efforts to avert a government shutdown?
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.
House proposes slashing $4B from the EPA
The GOP funding cuts, passed along party lines, would significantly impact state and local efforts to improve drinking water and reduce water pollution. Additional cuts would severely hamper environmental justice projects.
Interest rates are rising, but states aren’t worried yet. Here’s why.
State and local governments generally use bonds to finance major infrastructure projects. But higher rates won’t bust budgets just yet. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
Blue and red states slash taxes despite warnings of hard times ahead
Since 2021, half the states have cut personal income tax rates.
