Author Archive
Bill Lucia

Bill Lucia is a Senior Reporter for Government Executive's Route Fifty. He previously covered Seattle city government for Crosscut.com and holds a master's in public administration from the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Affairs.
Finance
The Cities That Finished Last Year With Steep Declines in Rent Prices
Data shows rents fell in cities known for high housing costs, and ticked up in some nearby areas and mid-sized markets.
- By Bill Lucia
Infrastructure
Mayors Press Biden's Transportation Nominee on Direct Funding for Cities
"You've actually helped lobby on this very issue before," Austin's mayor reminded Pete Buttigieg, himself a former mayor.
- By Bill Lucia
Health & Human Services
Surgeon General Nominee: Time to Rebuild Local Health Departments
"We cannot afford to be caught in the same position we are in now, with an infrastructure that is fragmented, with data systems that don't talk to each other, with personnel that are overtaxed."
- By Bill Lucia
Health & Human Services
Liaisons to Each State, Full National Guard Reimbursement Are Part of Biden's Virus Response Plan
On his second day in office, President Joe Biden outlined a wide-ranging coronavirus response strategy, shifting toward a more national approach than the Trump administration's.
- By Bill Lucia
Management
Biden Moves to Rejoin Paris Climate Pact, Halt Keystone XL Pipeline
After he was sworn into office on Wednesday, President Biden signed a slate of executive actions, including measures to begin reversing Trump era environmental policies.
- By Bill Lucia
Finance
Biden Calls for $350 Billion in State and Local Aid as Part of Massive Stimulus
The president-elect released details on Thursday for a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package.
- By Bill Lucia
Infrastructure
Reports: Former Michigan Governor to Be Charged in Flint Water Crisis
Rick Snyder and other former officials could face unspecified charges later this week.
- By Bill Lucia
Management
New Bloomberg Philanthropies Competition Seeks Cities With Innovative Responses to Covid
Fifteen winners will receive $1 million each and other support to implement their ideas.
- By Bill Lucia
Finance
More State and Local Job Losses in December
The total number of jobs lost in the state and local public sector is now approaching 1.4 million. December was also a grim month for leisure and hospitality employment.
- By Bill Lucia
Management
Biden Picks Two More State and Local Leaders for Top Jobs
The president-elect has selected Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to lead the Labor Department and Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo to be Commerce secretary.
- By Bill Lucia
Finance
Schumer Says $2,000 Checks Will Be Top Priority for Democratic-Controlled Senate
Payments of this size have lacked support among Republicans.
- By Bill Lucia
Management
As Rioters Storm U.S. Capitol, States See Protests
A crowd of President Trump's supporters forced their way into the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Protests at statehouses remained less volatile.
- By Bill Lucia and Emma Coleman
Tech & Data
New Law Aims to Help Localities Shift to '.Gov' Web Addresses
Many local governments rely on “.com” or “.org” URLs, making it easier for cyber criminals to trick users with imposter websites.
- By Bill Lucia
Health & Human Services
Kentucky Lawmakers Who Catch Covid Can Vote From Their Cars
Parking lot participation for those stricken by the virus, or quarantining because of exposure, is just one way that legislatures are adapting to the pandemic era.
- By Bill Lucia
Health & Human Services
‘Time to Sprint:’ Concerns Grow in New York That Vaccination Effort is Lagging
The state’s governor and the mayor of New York City on Monday both recognized the need to pick up the pace.
- By Bill Lucia
Finance
Heading Into 2021, State and Local Budget Gloom Lingers
Revenues are better than initially expected in some states. But they’re still down in many places as the cost of the pandemic response adds up.
- By Bill Lucia
Finance
End Nears for Fed’s Municipal Lending Program
The initiative only attracted two borrowers, but experts say it helped to stabilize the municipal bond market following Covid-driven turmoil earlier this year.
- By Bill Lucia
Infrastructure
The New Plans to Remake Appalachia’s Economy
Mayors from the region and others want the Biden administration to embrace their proposals for billions of dollars of spending, with a heavy emphasis on clean energy projects, as a way to reinvent the region as coal declines.
- By Bill Lucia
Management
Atlantic City Auctions Off Right to Push Button on Trump Casino Demolition
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Massachusetts contemplates lobster restrictions to save whales … Country music star was paid $1.7 million to perform at Texas governor’s inaugural ball … Kansas mayor resigned after mask threats.
- By Bill Lucia and Laura Maggi
Health & Human Services
Teen Vaping Shows Signs of Leveling Off After Sharp Rise
A recent survey of teenagers also found that marijuana use was relatively stable in the early part of this year and that cigarette smoking was at historic lows.
- By Bill Lucia