Equality

New Data Show a Major Gender Gap in Local Government Leadership

Fewer than one in three top appointed local officials are women, according to the analysis. Curious how your state stacks up? Tools released with the research allow users to look at trends and comparisons across the country.

  • By Bill Lucia

Study: More Than Half of Women in Tech Say Their Gender is Limiting Their Careers

The study suggests one of the biggest barriers for women in tech is a lack of promotion opportunities.

  • By Frank Konkel

Battles Over Book Bans Reflect Conflicts From the 1980s

A scholar compares the debates over banning books from schools today to a similar clash of ideas that took place during the Reagan era.

  • By Fred L. Pincus , The Conversation

The New Restrictions Conservative State Lawmakers are Pushing on Transgender Kids

Proposals in states like Texas and Alabama come as Republicans are trying to fend off challengers and make gains against Democrats in this year’s elections.

  • By Daniel C. Vock

White House Moves to Identify 'Disadvantaged' Communities in Line for Federal Funding Boost

The administration wants to steer more money to areas most in need and has released a draft of places that should get more help.

  • By Kery Murakami

What Does It Say About Your Neighborhood If the Supermarket Isn’t So Super?

COMMENTARY | A mother-and-daughter team went comparison-shopping to see what grocery store shelves revealed about inequity in America.

  • By Chaseedaw Giles, Kaiser Health News

How Mayors are Factoring in Equity as Their Cities Spend Federal Aid

“We're trying to change the status quo,” says one city leader.

  • By Kery Murakami

The Next Frontier in Equity is All About Data

COMMENTARY | Developing strategies centered on data collection is critical for governments to make sure resources are deployed in an effective and equitable way.

  • By Hughey Newsome

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
Featured eBooks
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Federal Recovery Funds at the State and Local Level
Infrastructure at a Turning Point

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

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