Author Archive
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.
Management
How to prevent ideas from getting lost in translation
Policy researchers and government administrators often seem like they’re speaking different languages. A new book aims to help experts communicate more clearly, so their ideas can have real-world impacts.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Management
Sunshine Week brings attention to state efforts to overhaul open records laws
As technology renders decades-old open records policies obsolete, states look to overhaul them. It is pitting government officials against good-government groups and reporters.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Infrastructure
$3.3B in federal grants announced for communities split apart by highways
The one-time infusion of cash for highway caps, bike trails and other improvements shows the Biden administration’s priorities for one of its most high-profile infrastructure initiatives.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Infrastructure
Why is it so hard to build housing near transit stops?
Two recent studies look at the obstacles to building more apartments and other dense housing options near transit to address environmental, urban development and housing goals.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Management
School vouchers continue momentum in state legislatures
2023 was considered a landmark year for school choice. It’s a trend that is showing no sign of slowing down, as lawmakers push proposals with fewer restrictions and costly price tags.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Infrastructure
Biden administration explores using Tesla-style tech in federally funded EV chargers
Most automakers have announced plans to use the industry leader’s standards, which would give them access to Tesla’s Supercharger network.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Management
Mayors, experts discuss the solution and barriers to ending homelessness
Amid a homelessness crisis nationwide, Houston and Los Angeles have housed thousands of people under a “housing first” approach.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Infrastructure
Traffic deaths decline slightly, but remain higher than before the pandemic
Safety experts have struggled to pinpoint why traffic and pedestrian fatalities have remained so stubbornly high.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Digital Government
New toll transponders cut costs for agencies and drivers
Illinois is the latest state to roll out sticker tags, which are gaining popularity over the clunky boxes that drivers have been mounting on their windshields for decades.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Management
Governors roundly condemn Alabama ruling that effectively halts IVF
Republican leadership in the state is working on legislation that would narrow the impact of the ruling after several Alabama fertility clinics halted the procedures.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Infrastructure
As traffic fatalities remain high, states and feds meet to swap road safety ideas
The gathering marked the second anniversary of the Biden administration’s push to reduce roadway deaths. The feds also used the occasion to announce that $1.25 billion in grants is available for its Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Infrastructure
Are the Build America rules slowing infrastructure progress?
State DOTs, transit agencies and the construction industry want the White House to make it easier to comply with rules designed to include American-made products in infrastructure projects.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Management
States look to rein in ballot initiatives with more ballot initiatives
Ballot measures in recent years have been used to expand Medicaid, preserve abortion rights and raise minimum wages. Now, state lawmakers are turning to them to put more restrictions on the process.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Infrastructure
FAA boosts airport infrastructure with nearly $1B in grants
The money, which is part of the 2021 federal infrastructure law, will help airports accommodate more passengers, make their facilities more accessible to people with disabilities and prepare for climate change.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Infrastructure
A decade in, pedestrian deaths dip under Vision Zero
Advocates say New York’s experience with the traffic safety approach shows promise, but the city has deployed safety measures like bike lanes and redesigned intersections more often in whiter and wealthier neighborhoods.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Finance
As concerns over gambling addiction mount, states are set to rake in millions from Super Bowl bets
Sports betting has spread to 38 states and Washington, D.C., over the past five years. In that time, states have also seen massive increases in calls to gambling addiction hotlines. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Infrastructure
9 states band together to phase out fossil fuel heating in homes
The signatories say the agreement’s focus on building emissions will signal to manufacturers that there will be a robust market for heat pumps in the coming years.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Management
After walkouts, Republican senators barred from reelection in Oregon
In a unanimous decision, the state Supreme Court ruled that the lawmakers could not run for another term on this year’s ballot. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Infrastructure
Lackluster revenues force Maryland to trim transportation services
Gov. Wes Moore promised to promote equity and climate goals with transportation, but now his administration has to scale back on basic services.
- By Daniel C. Vock
Management
Texas governor rallies Republican governors and AGs with secessionist rhetoric
Greg Abbott is using legal arguments similar to those used by supporters of the Confederacy to justify his confrontations at the border with federal authorities. Law professors warn that could be dangerous.
- By Daniel C. Vock