Author Archive
Andrea Noble
Public Safety
Policing the Police: Justice Department Launches Probe in Minneapolis
Derek Chauvin’s criminal conviction won’t solve systemic policing problems. Experts said the DOJ’s resumption of pattern or practice investigations can help spur local police reform.
Infrastructure
Senators Grill Cabinet Secretaries on American Jobs Plan
The heads of environmental, transportation, housing and commerce departments laid out more details of the Biden administration’s infrastructure plan during a Tuesday hearing.
Finance
Justice Department Defends Tax Mandate Provision in Covid Relief Bill
In a court filing, the department responded to a lawsuit filed by Ohio’s attorney general, who said the tax mandate was unconstitutional and encroached on his state’s financial decisions.
Management
The States that Make it Most Difficult to Vote
A report by the Center for Election Innovation and Research compares which states allow voters to cast absentee ballots by mail without an excuse and offer early in-person voting.
Management
Cities Battle Another Long-Lasting Covid Reminder: PPE Litter
Discarded masks and plastic gloves are turning up on beaches and in waterways with increasing frequency.
Infrastructure
Tourism, Business Travel May Not Fully Recover for 4 Years, Industry Officials Say
Corporate travel spending dropped 70% during the pandemic, contributing to the tax revenue losses that tourism-dependent cities and states experienced.
Public Safety
Mayors Urge Senate to Approve Gun Background Check Bills
Two House proposals would extend the checks to private transfers and the time dealers must wait before transferring a gun to a customer.
Health & Human Services
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.
Tech & Data
How Two Local Governments Got Covid Vaccination Registrations Right
From system failures to overbooked appointments, the technology many governments relied on to manage vaccinations crashed and burned. But New Orleans and Dallas County found software that worked.
Public Safety
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.
Finance
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.
Featured eBooks
Tech & Data
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.
Management
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.”
Infrastructure
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.
Infrastructure
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.
Health & Human Services
How Two States Resolved Problems with PrepMod’s Vaccine Management System
Virginia and Maryland both experienced issues with vaccine appointment link sharing. Virginia opted to develop its own vaccine management platform, while Maryland worked with the vendor.
Infrastructure
How Local Governments Can Deal with Recycling Scofflaws
Education is often cited as the key to improving recycling rates and reducing contamination. But a new report suggests cities might be better served by cutting off problem households.
Infrastructure
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.
Tech & Data
Lawmakers Urge Internet Companies to Join New Discount Broadband Program
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, slated to start at the end of April, will provide discounts on internet service to struggling households.
Tech & Data