Federal and County Relations

Republicans Unveil $568 Billion Infrastructure Proposal

GOP senators said that they’re ready to engage with Democrats and the Biden administration to work out a deal.

  • By Bill Lucia

House Lawmakers Form New Caucus of Former Local Officials

"If an issue is important to our local governments, it should be important to Congress, too," said one of the group's co-chairs.

  • By Bill Lucia

Biden Meets With Bipartisan Group to Push for Infrastructure Plan

The president gathered with eight congressional lawmakers, as his administration advocates for a roughly $2 trillion proposal focused on public works and other domestic priorities.

  • By Bill Lucia

Biden's Budget Would Up Spending on State and Local Programs

The president's initial fiscal 2022 blueprint, released Friday, calls for a 16% federal spending increase on a broad slate of domestic programs. Republicans swiftly criticized the plan.

  • By Bill Lucia

Biden Calls For ‘Red Flag’ Gun Law, Increased Local Violence Prevention Grants

President Biden said U.S. gun violence is an “embarrassment” as he announced a series of actions to tighten firearms regulations.

  • By Andrea Noble

Biden on Infrastructure: ‘We Will Not Be Open to Doing Nothing’

The president also emphasized he is prepared to have talks with Republicans about his proposed spending package.

  • By Bill Lucia

Single Sign-in For Government Services Expands to States, Localities

The federal government is looking to partner with state and local governments to grow its Login.gov service, which it says is secure and user friendly.

  • By Andrea Noble

How to Assemble a Successful Grant Proposal

COMMENTARY | Knowing how to put together a competitive grant proposal that stands out can help governments deliver more impact to their communities.

  • By Merril Oliver

Biden Infrastructure Plan Offers $213 Billion ‘Sweeping Investment’ in Affordable Housing

The president’s proposal calls for $40 billion to improve existing public housing, as well as funding for grants and tax credit programs to build and preserve affordable units.

  • By Andrea Noble

White House Details $2 Trillion Infrastructure Plan

President Biden’s proposal will invest in the nation’s crumbling infrastructure but also seek to increase U.S. resilience to climate change. Local leaders were quick to embrace the plan.

  • By Andrea Noble

Buttigieg Emphasizes Commitment to Working Directly with Local Governments

“States don't always see things from that critically important local perspective,” the former mayor told county officials.

  • By Bill Lucia

Lawmakers Urge Internet Companies to Join New Discount Broadband Program

The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, slated to start at the end of April, will provide discounts on internet service to struggling households.

  • By Andrea Noble
Featured eBooks
Government Tech & Innovation
Management in City and County Government
The Outlook for State CIOS in 2021

Need Amid Plenty: Richest U.S. Counties Are Overwhelmed by Surge in Child Hunger

While every U.S. county has seen hunger rates rise, the steepest jumps have been in some of the wealthiest counties, where overall affluence obscures the tenuous finances of low-wage workers.

  • By Laura Ungar, Kaiser Health News

The FCC Wants Your Feedback to Improve Broadband Access

In an effort to create more accurate maps detailing broadband connections and service, the Federal Communications Commission is collecting first-hand accounts from users.

  • By Andrea Noble

When State and Local Governments Can Expect to Receive Stimulus Funds

The Treasury Department is still working on guidance that will better inform states of how they can use the money. But aid for cities and counties must be distributed within 60 days of the law’s passage.

  • By Andrea Noble

How One County Helps Low-Income Homeowners Rehab Their Houses

James City County, Virginia tapped federal housing dollars to fund repairs and rebuilding projects that make homes safe and habitable. "Nothing is more affordable than the house you already have," notes a local official.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

With Covid Aid Approved, Counties Will Look to Infrastructure

A major public works package, which proved elusive during the Trump years, is the next priority county governments will press for on Capitol Hill.

  • By Bill Lucia

Covid Relief Bill Will Infuse Billions into Local Economies

From $1,400 stimulus payments to $300-a-week unemployment benefits, the $1.9 trillion aid package gets cash to residents that can translate to stronger state and local tax revenues.

  • By Andrea Noble

Additional State and Local Perks Make it Into Senate Covid Relief Bill

Extra money for counties with untaxable public land and provisions that allow localities to spend federal dollars on hazard pay for workers are included in the version approved over the weekend.

  • By Andrea Noble

Senate Covid Bill Adds Restrictions on State and Local Aid

The legislation would impose requirements on how states can use the money, and also redirect $10 billion that had been bound for cities and counties.

  • By Andrea Noble

State Lawmakers Split Over Need for Federal Aid

Despite dire budget projections earlier on in the pandemic, many states are now anticipating surpluses this year.

  • By Sophie Quinton, Stateline