State and Federal Relations

Feds Step Up Cybersecurity Support for State Governments

Forty-two advisers have been appointed or are in the process, with eight states still needing federal-level coordinators.

  • By Patience Wait

How States and Localities Can Use Data to Spend Federal Funds Wisely

COMMENTARY | Applying an evidence-based approach to funding new infrastructure problems can ensure communities get the biggest bang for each federal buck.

  • By Michael Caudell-Feagan

8 States Ask for Further Interest Reprieve on Unemployment Loans

An interest waiver on the federal loans to states expired in September. Now states that face millions in borrowing costs are looking for more of a break.

  • By Bill Lucia

House Freedom Caucus Takes Its Crusade to the States

Nationwide network aims to bolster conservative activists in state legislatures—sometimes for fights against their party leaders.

  • By Tom Shoop

Judge Blocks National Vaccine Mandate for Health Care Workers

The Tuesday ruling stops a nationwide vaccine mandate by the Biden administration that was set to start Dec. 6.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

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.

  • By Bill Lucia

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.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Mental Health Disorders Qualify You for a Covid-19 Booster. It’s Unclear How Many People Know That.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made the change a month ago, but finding the information online can be tricky.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

The Cost for States to Expand Free Pre-K Under the Biden Plan

The Build Back Better proposal provides money for free preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds. States are required to contribute a percentage and will likely incur costs for workforce development, pay increases and adjusting elementary school curriculum.

  • By Andrea Noble

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.

  • By Bill Lucia

House Passes ‘Long Overdue’ Infrastructure Package

President Biden and local government leaders hailed Congress’ approval of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, which will provide funding for roads, bridges, transit, broadband and water projects across the country.

  • By Andrea Noble

House Prepares for Votes on Social Spending, Infrastructure Bills

Paid family and medical leave was introduced to the latest House version of the $1.75 trillion package.

  • By Andrea Noble
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2020 Census May Have Missed More Than 1.6M Residents

New research from the Urban Institute found that minorities were likely underrepresented in the population count, leaving some states with a windfall of federal funding while others came up short.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Families Most at Risk of Missing Out on the Expanded Child Tax Credit

The child tax credit is the largest ever -- $250 to $300 a month -- but many low-income households may not get the help for a variety of reasons, a Tax Policy Center report says.

  • By Andre Claudio

Elections Officials Are Still Receiving Death Threats and Harassment About the 2020 Election. They’re Asking Congress For Help.

Three state and local election officials testified before a Senate committee about their terrifying experiences since last year’s election in support of proposed voting reform legislation.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Biden Releases $1.75T Social Spending Framework to Win Over Democrats

The White House scaled back the original $3.5 trillion proposal, dropping paid family and medical leave and some Medicare expansions.

  • By Andrea Noble

What Stays and Goes as Democrats Trim Biden’s Domestic Spending Bill

Funding for free community college tuition is likely to be cut and a child tax credit and paid family and medical leave could be limited.

  • By Andrea Noble

More Than 500,000 Public Workers Likely to See Debt Relief Under Student Loan Forgiveness Overhaul

The U.S. Department of Education announced a host of changes Wednesday to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which guarantees debt forgiveness to qualifying public sector employees.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

House to Vote This Week on Infrastructure Bill

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the bill, which will send billions to states and localities, will go to the floor Thursday even as negotiations over a larger social spending package continue.

  • By Andrea Noble

Audit Warns State Could Lose Over $330M in Rental Aid

The way California defines whether or not emergency rental assistance has been “obligated” could put it at risk of forfeiting funds, a state watchdog says.

  • By Andrea Noble

Top Democrats Announce Deal on Raising Revenue for $3.5T Package

The announcement comes as President Biden is trying to shore up support within his party for sweeping domestic legislation that would direct funding towards areas like education, health care and climate initiatives.

  • By Andrea Noble