Trust

Access to public records is 'deteriorating terribly'

In a time when trust in state and local government is under siege, public access to information is particularly vital.

  • By Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene

4 questions to ask before sharing constituent data

As more Americans grow concerned about how their personal data is being used and shared, a new report offers state and local agencies tips on how to handle it responsibly in order to avoid further eroding trust.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Who gets to decide what the truth is when social media is rife with misinformation?

As state and local governments consider the balance of free speech and misinformation, observers question whether officials should be able to remove controversial posts from social media platforms.

  • By Caitlin Sievers, Arizona Mirror

COVID-19 vaccine mandates have come and mostly gone in the US: Here's why their messy rollout matters for trust in public health

COMMENTARY | Vaccine policies fall on a spectrum, from mandates to recommendations. Deciding what to use and when is not so much a science but a balancing act between personal autonomy and public good.

  • By Rachel Gur-Arie, The Conversation

Survey: Residents want local governments to be more transparent

The vast majority of respondents want an accessible website with easy to access information and mobile tech to make it easier to engage with local agencies, according to a government technology company.

  • By Chris Teale