Budget Planning
Regionalism: The next wave of public-service delivery
COMMENTARY | As federal budget cuts continue and state budgets are also subject to intense pressures, regional bodies and councils of government may be well suited to step up.
Local governments are being asked to do more with less. It’s time we gave them better tools.
COMMENTARY | As federal support for local government shrinks, localities can shift how they budget by doing what works first through evidence-based budgeting.
‘Uncertainty’ swirls around federal funding cuts’ state and local impact
State and local tech leaders said during a webinar the impacts may not be truly felt until the end of this year. They said governments cannot just “hunker down,” but must prioritize where to spend.
Amid fiscal uncertainty, evidence-based budgeting comes to the fore
A good-government nonprofit will host a virtual event designed to help counties determine whether budgetary decisions will, or did, produce the intended outcomes.
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.
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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.
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?
