Equality

Why a Majority of White Americans Oppose Reparations For Black Citizens

A new report shows that white people believe that it would be difficult to determine financial payments, among other reasons.

  • By Andre Claudio

Surgeons Sometimes Deny Organ Transplants for Disabled Patients. State Lawmakers Are Changing That.

Twenty-nine states prevent doctors from considering a person's disability when determining eligibility for an organ transplant. Wisconsin could join them.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

'Love Letter' Legislation Leads to Lawsuit

A real estate firm filed a lawsuit to contest a new law in Oregon that prohibits sellers from presenting their clients with letters from prospective homebuyers, a common practice in competitive markets.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Five Ways Government Leaders Can Develop Future Infrastructure Workers

The $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure package can deliver a needed jolt to the labor market, but states and localities need to focus on building the long-term labor pipeline, according to a new report.

  • By Andre Claudio

Taking Race Out of Criminal Charges

Prosecutors in Yolo County, California, are attempting “race-blind charging” by using software to redact identifying information, including race and other descriptors, from police reports.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

10 Steps for Advancing Equity With American Rescue Plan Funding

Local governments seeking transformative impacts must recognize that threats, risks and trauma are daily conditions experienced by low-income communities and people of color, according to a report, which recommends a variety of actions.

  • By Andre Claudio

A Billionaire Wants to Build an Inclusive Utopian City. Government Leaders Are Skeptical.

Former Walmart executive Marc Lore envisions the world’s first 'woke city’ somewhere in the U.S., costing upward of $400 billion and with an application to live there.

  • By Andre Claudio

How to Budget for Equity and Drive Lasting Change

COMMENTARY | State and local governments should prioritize equity in their budgets by using data, being outcome driven and engaging the whole community.

  • By Andrew Kleine and Josh Inaba

Snip Snip: One Plan to Mandate Vasectomies to Prevent Pregnancies

A Pennsylvania lawmaker said his “parody legislation,” outlined in a sponsorship memo, is meant to garner discussion about reproductive rights.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Lack of Diversity in the Government Workforce Can Lead to Retention and Trust Issues

African Americans and Hispanics are underrepresented among managers and professionals, and women are underrepresented among chief administrative officers, according to a report.

  • By Andre Claudio

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
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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