How Mayors Are Thinking About Prioritizing Federal Aid
Nearly 80% of mayors responding to a new survey said American Rescue Plan Act funding would help their cities accomplish goals related to homelessness and infrastructure, among other areas.
Millions of Americans Struggle To Pay Their Water Bills – Here’s How a National Water Aid Program Could Work
Should the U.S. help low-income households afford water service, as it does with heating and groceries? Chile does. An economist explains how it works there and how it could work here.
How One City is Working to Make Spending Data More Transparent
Efforts by Los Angeles' controller to open up city fiscal data took on an added dimension when Covid-19 hit.
Massive Budget Bill Would Open Even More State and Local Funding
In a year that's already seen a major infrastructure package signed into law and billions in pandemic aid, domestic spending legislation the U.S. House approved last week promises to direct additional federal cash towards state and local priorities.
States With the Highest Personal Income Growth
Total income growth is higher in all states than before the pandemic, thanks to elevated levels of government assistance and growth in wages, according to a report.
The Federal Government Spent Record Amounts of Money on Children Last Year. It Probably Won’t Last.
Spending on children—including tax programs, education, nutrition and social services—by state and local governments also will likely fall back to pre-pandemic levels within several years as Covid-19 relief measures expire, according to an Urban Institute report.
Latinos With Darker Skin Face More Discrimination Than Those With Lighter Skin
Nearly 60% of Latinos surveyed say having a lighter skin color helps Hispanics get ahead in work and in life, and about half say discrimination based on race or skin color is a “very big problem,” a Pew report shows.
He Tore Down Motels Where Poor Residents Lived During a Housing Crisis. City Leaders Did Nothing.
Reno, Nevada, has one of the worst affordable housing shortages in the U.S. Yet city officials let an out-of-state casino owner displace hundreds of low-income residents so he could one day build an entertainment complex.
Massive Cash Flow Sparks State Spending Sprees
Thanks to federal aid and rising revenue, state policymakers can afford big investments.
How Congress Could Unlock More ARPA Funds for Infrastructure
Legislation awaiting consideration in the U.S. House would give states and local governments more leeway in how they can use their allotments of federal pandemic aid, including by letting more money go to transportation projects.
The (Long) Waiting Game to Get My Student Loans Forgiven
COMMENTARY | The student loan forgiveness process for public servants is a disaster. After almost five years, I’m still waiting to have all my loans forgiven.
The Federal Poverty Line Struggles To Capture the Economic Hardship That Half of Americans Face
COMMENTARY | Millions of Americans struggle to pay their bills each month, despite earning wages well above the federal poverty line and holding multiple jobs.
The Best and Worst Cities to Retire Are Surprising
Orlando, Florida tops the list for best cities to retire while San Bernardino, California comes in last, according to a report.
State and Local Push on Infrastructure Finally Pays Off
Congress’ approval of a roughly $1 trillion public works package marks a milestone for cities, states and counties that have pressed for years to get federal infrastructure spending boosted.
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.
Will New York Pull the Plug on Bitcoin Mining?
The state blocked two new power plants for not aligning with new climate goals, and environmentalists hope cryptocurrency mining plants will get the boot next.
SALT Plan Reworked—Again—as Democrats Push Towards Vote
The latest proposal would lift the cap on the state and local tax deduction to $80,000.
4 Things to Know About Local Government Fiscal Conditions
Despite fiscal challenges over the past 18 months, cities have demonstrated greater resilience than expected through the pandemic, according to a report.
SALT Proposal in House Bill Would Raise Cap to $72,500 Through 2031
Meanwhile, in the Senate, two lawmakers offered up an alternative plan. It does seem there's support for including some kind of rollback of the cap in the budget bill now being negotiated.
5 Strategies to Help Residents Without Bank Accounts Get Rental Assistance
Unbanked tenants have a harder time applying for emergency rental assistance, along with difficulty accessing assistance if they do receive funds, according to a report.
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