Author Archive

Daniel C. Vock

Daniel C. Vock
Dan Vock is a senior reporter at Route Fifty, where he focuses on transportation and infrastructure. He has covered state and local government for two decades, first as an Illinois statehouse reporter and later as a national reporter based in Washington, D.C. Dan has written stories about every state in the country, and has reported on the ground from half of them (so far). He won a Jesse H. Neal award for best profile and earned a fellowship from the Columbia Journalism School’s Ira A. Lipman Center for Journalism and Civil and Human Rights.
Infrastructure

With $9B in Transportation Funding, Minnesota Looks to Meet Climate Goals

The law is dedicated to improving roads, but requires that all highway expansion projects meet the state’s goal of driving down greenhouse gas emissions.

Infrastructure

One State Targets Teen Drivers to Reduce Work Zone Deaths

As traffic deaths surge, contractors are calling on states to do more. One state—Oklahoma—will be the first in the nation to require teen drivers to complete a course on construction worker safety.

Infrastructure

Supreme Court Scales Back Scope of Clean Water Act

Conservatives on the court say the decision preserves state authority to regulate land and water use. But liberal justices worry the ruling will gut efforts to curb water pollution.

Infrastructure

NHTSA Proposes a Pass-Fail Pedestrian Safety Rating for Vehicles

The scheme put forward by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration comes as pedestrian deaths are surging nationwide.

Finance

Cities Face Mounting Financial Pressures

On top of the familiar problems—pensions, inflation, pandemic aid ending—officials are also trying to prepare for two potentially devastating scenarios: a recession or the U.S. defaulting on its loans.

Management

Five Takeaways from Tuesday’s Elections

Women make history, Republicans lose ground and crime concerns take center stage. Here's what you might've missed in the dozens of city and statewide races Tuesday night.

Infrastructure

Local Leaders Cheer Changes to Rail Safety Bill

The legislation would mandate a study of frequently blocked crossings, among other safety measures.

Management

State Efforts to Undercut Local Governance Widen in Scope

Lawmakers have introduced upwards of 650 bills this year preempting the power of cities and other local governments, says a new report. These bills are broad in their approach, looking to “cut out local authority at-large.”

Finance

Cities Stare Down Huge Budget Gaps

Growing expenses and lagging downtown recoveries are straining city finances as federal pandemic relief funds run out.

Infrastructure

Congestion Pricing in Manhattan Clears Federal Hurdle

The city still has to determine the details before New York becomes the first American city to charge for the right to drive on certain roads.

Management

Nation’s Longest-Serving Governor Won’t Run for Reelection

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee made a name for himself at home and nationally as an environmental champion.

Management

‘Tide Is Going Out’ on Election Deniers, Scrutinized Georgia Official Says

While conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election are waning, they’re still shaping policies about election administration in many parts of the country.

Tech & Data

Drivers More Distracted Now Than Before the Pandemic, Study Shows

Data shows that laws to prevent distracted driving have a near-immediate impact, but that the effect wears off quickly.

Infrastructure

NYC Experiments with 'Microhubs' to Ease Street Congestion

Delivery centers will take some trucks off the streets to reduce double and illegal parking that snarls traffic.

Infrastructure

Transit Agencies Turn to States to Avert Fiscal Cliff

With federal pandemic aid drying up, transit agencies are searching for ways to replace lost fares.

Health & Human Services

Fight Between States Could Determine Fate of Abortion Pills

A tangle of lawsuits has prohibited, protected and limited access to a common medication for abortion. While long-term decisions have yet to be made, some states are planning ahead. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.

Infrastructure

Cities Put on Notice to Install Signals to Help Blind Pedestrians Cross Streets

A federal judge, in a suit supported by the U.S. Department of Justice, recently ruled that Chicago had failed to make intersections safe for people with disabilities. It is the second such ruling against a major city.

Health & Human Services

Biden Administration Moves to Lower Toxins Released by Coal Plants

The new standards would limit the amount of mercury and other toxins that plants could release.

Health & Human Services

State & Local Roundup: Massachusetts Fights 'Hunger Cliff' with SNAP Boost

Plus: Tennessee expels Black lawmakers; Liberal Democrats score wins in the Midwest; Connecticut governor insults Houston; and more news to use from around the country.

Management

North Carolina Republicans Seize Supermajority

Party switches are rare, but this one by a sitting lawmaker in North Carolina is particularly "shocking" and weakens the hand of Gov. Roy Cooper.