State and Federal Relations

No Extra Vaccines for Hot Spot States, White House Says

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had requested a boost in Covid-19 vaccines to help combat a rising number of infections in her state.

  • By Andrea Noble

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

EPA Administrator Instructs Staff to Prioritize Environmental Justice

The directive furthers several executive orders and memos from President Biden. 

  • By Courtney Bublé

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

Legal Challenges Mount Against Tax Cut Prohibition in Covid Relief Law

Confusion over the tax mandate embedded in the $350 billion direct aid program for states and localities led Kentucky and Tennessee to file suit.

  • By Andrea Noble

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

‘SALT’ Saga Flares as Governors Push to Repeal $10,000 Limit

The latest efforts to restore a federal break for state and local tax payments come as the White House proposes tax policy changes to help fund President Biden's infrastructure package.

  • By Bill Lucia

Georgia Election Law Fuels Partisan Cancel Culture Debate

After Major League Baseball announced it was pulling the All-Star Game from Atlanta in protest of the state’s election law, Sen. Mitch McConnell warned of “serious consequences.”

  • By Andrea Noble

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

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

This Time, Lawmakers Want Control Over Covid-19 Aid

In Kentucky and at least three other states, lawmakers are trying to gain control over funds allocated under the latest federal Covid-19 relief package.

  • By Sophie Quinton, Stateline

Lawmakers Renew Push to Restore Axed Municipal Refinancing Tool

Advance refunding helped state and local governments save on borrowing costs. The bipartisan effort to bring it back could get rolled into forthcoming infrastructure legislation.

  • By Bill Lucia

Buttigieg Underscores Urgency of Transportation Infrastructure Investment

Republican lawmakers are skeptical of the scope of the Biden administration’s planned infrastructure package, which the president is expected to provide more details on next week.

  • By Andrea Noble

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

Biden Administration Preparing $3 Trillion Infrastructure and Jobs Plan, Reports Say

The president is expected to receive the plan this week, according to reports from The New York Times and The Washington Post.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

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

Republican State Officials Bristle Over Tax Cut Prohibition in Covid Relief Bill

Ohio’s Attorney General has sued the Biden administration over the provision, which is embedded in the $350 billion direct aid program for states and localities. A coalition of 21 other AGs are asking for more guidance on the mandate.

  • By Andrea Noble

States Debate Improvements to Unemployment Systems

Tech upgrades are bipartisan. Increased benefits are not.

  • By Sophie Quinton, Stateline