Equality

State Lawmakers Push to Allow Residents to Contribute to Abortion Access Fund

A bill would allow New York residents to contribute on their tax returns, allocating money to nonprofit organizations that help women travel and pay for abortions.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

The Key to Stronger Local Democracy: Equitable Engagement

COMMENTARY | Federal stimulus funds provide an opportunity for cities to authentically connect with their residents and regain their trust.

  • By Mark Funkhouser and Steven Bosacker

Lyft and Uber Establish Legal Funds to Protect Drivers from Texas Abortion Law

The ride-booking companies said they would cover legal fees if their drivers are sued under the state’s new law, which allows private citizens to file lawsuits against anyone who “aids and abets” a woman in obtaining an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

The Era of Easier Voting for Disabled People Is Over

Thanks to absentee ballots, drop-off boxes, and curbside voting, people with disabilities turned out in record numbers in the 2020 election. That’s likely to change.

  • By Sarah Katz, The Atlantic

Poll Highlights Deep Divides Over Increased Attention on Racism, History of Slavery

About 50% of U.S. adults say increased attention to these topics is a "good thing for society," but that belief is not held evenly across political parties and racial and ethnic groups, according to the Pew Research Center.

  • By Jean Dimeo

The Infrastructure Bill Needs a Makeover, Not a 'Spineless Rubber Stamp'

The U.S. Senate's bill falls short in several ways and needs to be fixed before it is passed by Congress, according to a Maryland mayor.

  • By Colin Byrd

The Infrastructure Bill Promises Construction Work. One Amendment Could Open That Up to More Women.

A proposed amendment would give women and people of color more access to skilled trades and the wages they bring.

  • By Jean Lee, The 19th

How Local Governments Can Help Minority-Owned Businesses Gain Access to Public Contracts

Procurement of goods and services by localities totals $2.5 trillion annually, but people of color struggle to gain access to lucrative public contracts, according to the National League of Cities.

  • By Jean Dimeo

How Local Governments Can Spend Their Federal Funds to Boost Equity

Several county leaders and others offered suggestions for helping communities most in need using American Rescue Plan Act funds at the National Association of Counties annual conference.

  • By Jean Dimeo

The Government Has Fallen Short on Contracts With Woman-Owned Businesses for Decades

Historic barriers have blocked women-owned small businesses from winning federal contracts, according to a new report.

  • By Chabeli Carrazana, The 19th

8 Lessons to Break the Poverty Cycle in Communities

COMMENTARY | Governments and funders are increasingly interested in two-generation approaches to disrupt this cycle by helping parents and their children move out of poverty together.

  • By Theresa Anderson, Urban Institute

New White House Initiative Seeks to Lift Up Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Communities

Among other things, the effort will address hate crimes, poverty and environmental justice and representation in government jobs.

  • By Courtney Bublé
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Racial Biases Persist in Public Sector Hiring. What can be done?

A new study shows that Black candidates are at an enormous disadvantage in making it through the government hiring process. But states and cities are finding solutions.

  • By Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene

Is the New Markets Tax Credit Program Helping Low-Income Neighborhoods?

COMMENTARY | NMTC investments generate significant economic activity and new jobs, but there are opportunities for policymakers to adapt the program to expand its benefits for residents.

  • By Brett Theodos, Christina Plerhoples Stacy and Daniel Teles, Urban Institute

The States and Cities With the Strongest and Weakest Levels of Capital Investment

A new data tool offers a detailed look at how real estate and business loans and other investments vary widely across the country and sheds light on the inequities poorer and minority neighborhoods face.

  • By Bill Lucia

To Budget for Equity, Cities First Must Define Equity

COMMENTARY | Without a clear and shared definition of equity, city leaders cannot understand the underlying conditions that create existing disparities in their community, let alone make informed budget decisions that foster equity.

  • By Anjali Chainani

'Here I Am.' Meet Kendall Martinez-Wright, a Black-Puerto Rican Trans Woman Running for State Office Amid Record Numbers of Anti-Transgender Bills.

Martinez-Wright, the first transgender woman to run for the Missouri House of Representatives, says the her campaign is “about showcasing the true beauty of diversity.”

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Covid Racial Disparities Loom Large in Rural Counties

As federal and state government officials ramp up vaccination efforts, white people outpace people of color in getting vaccinated.

  • By Aallyah Wright, Stateline

The Wide Gaps Between Minority and White Business Ownership in America’s Cities

A new data tool offers ways to gauge the disparities with businesses in the nation’s largest metro areas. It also includes information on women-owned firms.

  • By Bill Lucia

New Connecticut Law Will Ban Discrimination Based On Hairstyles

The state is the eighth to enact legislation to address hair discrimination historically associated with race.

  • By Brent Woodie

Hiring a Chief Equity Officer? Here’s What You Need to Know

COMMENTARY | It’s a position that can come with tough challenges. City and county leaders should focus on three key actions to set their chief equity officers up for success.

  • By Alisha Powell Gillis