Author Archive
Bill Lucia
Public Safety
'We've Never Seen a Flood Event Like This': Ian's Devastating Hit to Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis described "historic" damage to parts of the state from the hurricane, which made landfall with winds around 150 mph and caused massive flooding.
Infrastructure
Feds Prepare to Open New $500M Program for Transportation Tech
States and localities are among those eligible for the grants, which are aimed at funding projects focused on innovations like autonomous vehicles and roadside sensors.
Finance
The Housing Market is Cooling Off
With interest rates rising, a new report shows sales down year over year and more homes selling for below asking prices.
Infrastructure
Federal Grants for Broadband Expansion Begin to Flow
Louisiana is the first state to receive planning dollars from a pair of high-speed internet programs in the infrastructure law. Funding is expected to reach other states soon.
Management
The States That Saw Unemployment Rise or Fall in July
Fourteen states saw significant drops in unemployment, according to new federal data, as the Biden administration touted a record-high number of states with jobless rates at or below 3%.
Infrastructure
Passenger Rail Projects in 8 States to Receive $233M in Federal Grants
The Transportation Department also says it plans to open the grant-making process this fall for $7.2 billion in passenger rail funding available under the infrastructure law.
Infrastructure
Two States to Seek Nearly $900M in Federal Funds for Bridge Project
They’re looking to tap money from the bipartisan infrastructure law approved last year. “This project is a perfect candidate for this funding,” says the governor of one of the states.
Health & Human Services
Cities Can Apply for Free Monitoring of Sewage for Signs of Monkeypox
The National League of Cities is accepting applications for the new program and will select 50 localities to participate. The initiative will build on efforts to track Covid-19 in wastewater.
Infrastructure
6 Things For State and Local Governments to Watch With Democrats' Climate and Tax Deal
With billions in proposed spending, the package could affect both government programs and regional economies.
Public Safety
Trump Wades Deep Into State and Local Matters During DC Speech
The former president's remarks focused heavily on public safety, as he put forward proposals like moving the homeless to tent cities, hiring thousands of police and overriding governors unwilling to deploy the National Guard.
Finance
The Evolving Debate Over ARPA's State and Local Aid Program
President Biden's top advisor on the American Rescue Plan Act dismisses Republican claims that money from the law is being wasted. But he's also urging local government leaders to look for more ways to highlight their successes with the federal funding.
Featured eBooks
Health & Human Services
A Local Government Plans to Pay Off Millions in Residents' Medical Debt
Cook County, Illinois, where Chicago is located, is launching the initiative using American Rescue Plan dollars and hopes to wipe out hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid bills.
Finance
Localities Look To an Untapped 'Goldmine' of Potential Revenue
A new initiative focuses on how cities and counties can capitalize on underused public property, like parking lots and office space.
Finance
How One State Used Its Giant Budget Surplus
Idaho this year had extra revenue that was equal to nearly half the amount of its general fund revenues, and that was on top of federal aid. Here's what lawmakers did with the money.
Finance
Biden's Push on Gas Tax Relief Will Likely Fall to States
His plan to suspend the federal tax to help ease high gas prices has low odds of passing Congress. The president says states are in a solid financial position to take action, but experts have doubts about whether gas tax holidays at any level are good policy.
Infrastructure
Here Are the US Cities That Will Host World Cup Soccer Matches in 2026
Twenty-two locations were in the running for the high-profile tournament, 16 across the U.S., Canada and Mexico won out.
Finance
Marijuana 'Sin Tax' Collections Show Signs of Outpacing Alcohol
In states where cannabis is legal, a new analysis finds excise tax collections from pot leading booze. But the money is a small share of state budgets and changes to the industry could affect revenues.
Infrastructure
Biden Administration Plays Up Billions for Rural Infrastructure
The White House released new information this week for places looking to access the cash and officials said to expect over $2 billion in funding announcements for rural areas this month.
Infrastructure
Supreme Court Steps Into a Fight Over State Permitting Power
An order from the high court means that Trump-era guidelines imposing new limits on state authority to approve or deny energy infrastructure projects will remain in effect as the Biden administration works on a rewrite of the rules.
Management