Finance
Local Governments Escape Ruling that Could Have Upended Property Tax Laws
The Supreme Court ruled that cities and counties cannot keep surplus funds from the homes they sell after residents fail to pay property taxes. But local officials nationwide are breathing a sigh of relief that the court didn’t go further.
Cities Nervously Watch Washington’s Debt Limit Talks
A default could mean putting off fixing broken streets and city budgets would take a hit.
Debt Limit Talks Dim Prospects for Addressing Nation’s Housing Crisis
The president has proposed freezing spending, which could impact additional funding for housing, public health and transit projects.
GOP’s Desired Work Requirements Would Kick Millions Off Anti-Poverty Programs
About 10 million Medicaid expansion enrollees are at risk of losing benefits under McCarthy’s bill, while 900,000 Americans aged 50 to 55 are at risk of losing SNAP assistance.
Cities Face Mounting Financial Pressures
On top of the familiar problems—pensions, inflation, pandemic aid ending—officials are also trying to prepare for two potentially devastating scenarios: a recession or the U.S. defaulting on its loans.
In Their Fight Against Big Oil, Cities Turn to Laws That Took Down Mobsters
The use of RICO laws could be the start of a new wave of climate lawsuits and a sign that cities and states are trying to learn from the successes and failures of the tobacco and opioid litigation movements.
Did Your Town Make This List of Best-Performing Cities?
The Milken Institute is out with its annual report ranking the economic performance of more than 400 metropolitan areas. Here’s what it takes to be a booming city.
Two Different Funding Approaches to Education Reform
One solution holds that the public school system itself is the problem to be fixed while the other says that targeting money to disadvantaged communities is the answer. Both approaches are expensive and it’s not clear that either work.
Rural Electric Co-Ops to Get $10.7B in Clean Energy Grants, Loans
The Agriculture Department says the money marks the largest single funding effort for rural electrification in the U.S. since the 1930s.
One County’s Choice to Use Opioid Funds to Pay Off Debt
Greene County, Tennessee, so far has received more than $2.7 million from regional and national settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors. But most of the money is not going to help people and families harmed by addiction.
A Roadmap to Achieving 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy
COMMENTARY | A new clean energy procurement trend is gaining momentum in cities racing to meet ambitious climate goals. Here’s how 24/7 carbon-free energy works, how local governments can get started on this approach and where they can look for support.
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