State and Local Roundup
Inside the tricky politics of special legislative sessions
Governors in several states are trying to get their priorities passed before the November election.
Dems highlight state and local leaders amid looming policy battles
A bevy of leaders from city halls and state houses highlighted what lies ahead in infrastructure, abortion and other areas during this week’s Democratic National Convention.
Passing the torch, Los Angeles begins sprint to host 2028 Olympics
Mayor Karen Bass has already set the city’s plans for the event apart from others by declaring it a “no-car Games” and pledging to only use existing buildings.
Nearly half of all lieutenant governors are women. Could the future of the governor's office be female?
If Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is elected vice president, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan will be the first Native American female governor. She's one of a growing number of women of color serving in the No. 2 spot.
Illegal border crossings have cooled, but the rhetoric is heating up
As national politicians spar over immigration, the reality in cities and states is rapidly changing.
Georgia’s Medicaid work requirements have brought high costs, low enrollment
The state’s experience so far stands in stark contrast with that of North Carolina, where half a million people have signed up for Medicaid coverage in the first seven months of its expansion.
States, cities consider ‘mansion taxes’ to fund affordable housing
From sales taxes to real estate transfer taxes, governments are desperately trying to identify dedicated funding tracts for homelessness and housing initiatives.
Supreme Court issues rulings on opioid settlement, overturns Chevron doctrine
As the term nears its end, the high court has issued a flurry of decisions that will affect state and local governments.
In tax code ruling, U.S. Supreme Court declined to open ‘Pandora's box’
Justices sided with the government, avoiding a decision that could have upended the tax code and cost state and local governments trillions of dollars.
Why the fight over abortion pills isn’t over yet
The Supreme Court dismissed a challenge from anti-abortion groups attempting to restrict access to mifepristone, but conservative states are acting on their own to block access to the increasingly popular medicine.
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Congestion pricing: If it can’t make it in New York, can it make it anywhere?
Other cities are considering it, but all eyes were on the city that never sleeps. By trying to quell controversy over the downtown toll plan, the New York governor sparked new questions about transit funding, environmental goals and political consequences.
Post-pandemic, downtown recoveries continue to be uneven
From office conversions to bonding programs to unconventional approaches, cities are testing different ways to revive their downtowns.
Passenger rail keeps chugging forward during Infrastructure Week
Efforts to expand rail have reached significant milestones in recent weeks, from construction on the Northeast Corridor to new funding on Colorado’s Front Range.
After Supreme Court decision left wetlands unprotected, Colorado steps in
Lawmakers crafted new rules to protect and restore wetlands and streams left vulnerable following a decision by the high court that scaled back the types of places subject to the Clean Water Act.
As a critical deadline approaches, the Biden administration issues a flurry of regulations
The new rules cover subjects as varied as marijuana policy, vehicle pollution, civil rights for transgender students, and drinking water safety.
Can compromise be reached in two state budget debates?
Taxes and affordable housing are holding up budgets in Virginia and New York. Instead of threats, the governors in each state appear to be trying to find common ground—for now.
How New Jersey’s new affordable housing law aims to ease the housing crisis
The new law lets municipalities know exactly how much affordable housing they have to build. It’s an approach that states are increasingly trying in an effort to pressure local governments to increase affordable options.
Sunshine Week brings attention to state efforts to overhaul open records laws
As technology renders decades-old open records policies obsolete, states look to overhaul them. It is pitting government officials against good-government groups and reporters.
School vouchers continue momentum in state legislatures
2023 was considered a landmark year for school choice. It’s a trend that is showing no sign of slowing down, as lawmakers push proposals with fewer restrictions and costly price tags.
States move to cut grocery taxes
Amid rising food prices, more states are reducing or eliminating a sales tax that impacts lower-income households the most.
