Author Archive
Daniel C. Vock
Management
Why some power companies support climate laws, but others don’t
Electric utilities have considerable political juice in state capitols, which a study found they can use to promote or stymie greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
Management
7 million Americans lose Medicaid coverage
Thirty states have wrongly disenrolled people during the “unwinding” of the health insurance program from pandemic-era policies. But nearly half a million individuals—many of them kids—have since been reinstated. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
Digital Government
GOP states announce new voter roll systems. Are they as secure as ERIC?
An expert in elections administration and one of the founders of ERIC says the new systems could suffer from low data quality, high costs and inadequate security.
Management
As cities struggle to shelter migrants, calls for federal action grow
State and local leaders have resorted to desperate measures—sometimes circumventing the federal government—to find housing and support for the influx of asylum seekers. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
Infrastructure
Can the future of passenger rail be found between Miami and Orlando?
The debut of Brightline service linking Miami to the central Florida tourist mecca is giving rail advocates hope that passenger rail will gain popularity elsewhere, too.
Management
An Illinois plan for ending book bans? Republican senators aren’t on board
A tense hearing on Capitol Hill showed partisan divisions over who should decide what books libraries and schools offer.
Finance
Crunch time in Congress could hit state and local programs
The legislative logjam on Capitol Hill is backing up everything from child care to disaster funding. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
Digital Government
How one state’s data office improves government services
Indiana is connecting data from different agencies and training front-line workers to tackle tough problems.
Management
In many schools this fall, free meals for all are back on the menu
States and school districts are moving to provide every kid with a free breakfast and lunch, after a popular pandemic-era program from the federal government expired.
Infrastructure
EPA clean water rules reignite decades-old feud
The Biden administration issued new rules to abide by a May Supreme Court ruling that narrowed the scope of the Clean Water Act. But critics say the changes didn't go far enough.
Infrastructure
Round-the-clock speed cameras improve safety in a city that never sleeps
New York City saw a 25% drop in traffic deaths and a 30% decrease in tickets issued after state lawmakers let it operate their speed cameras on nights and weekends.
Featured eBooks
Finance
Transit agencies scramble to piece together funding as ‘fiscal cliff’ looms
Ridership in San Francisco and New York remains below pre-pandemic levels. As the end of federal aid nears, these agencies are racing to shore up funding.
Management
After power play fails, Ohio Republicans face more ballot measure challenges
State legislators wanted to stop the public from voting on abortion rights to redistricting. Similar fights are playing out nationwide, as conservative lawmakers try to make it harder for liberals to pass policies at the ballot box.
Management
What the police raid of a Kansas newspaper says about government and the press
The raid sparked coast-to-coast outrage, but it also raised concerns about the eroding relationship between government officials and the reporters who cover them. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
Emerging Tech
AVs are coming, whether local officials like it or not
California regulators recently lifted restrictions on driverless cars in San Francisco, despite objections from local leaders. As autonomous vehicles come to more cities, these fights may be more common.
Infrastructure
Keep it simple, experts tell feds on planned mileage fee experiment
States have already tested different approaches for how to replace gas taxes, but a federal pilot program mandated by the 2021 infrastructure law would be the biggest yet.
Management
‘That is how you run a city’: Top mayors share tips for tackling crime, homelessness and hostile media
The mayors of the country’s four largest cities, all of whom are Black, highlighted their management approaches at a gathering of the National Urban League. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
Infrastructure
In national race to build EV chargers, a few states emerge as big winners
State policy, the electric grid and business considerations can all determine how many public charging stations a state’s residents will see.
Infrastructure
Passions run high over speed limits, but data is hard to come by
A recent study by the AAA Foundation tried to determine whether drivers changed their habits with new speed limits. Instead, the group discovered the limits of the data states collect on the safety of their roads.
Health & Human Services