Author Archive
Daniel C. Vock
Management
Western cities won the right to clear homeless encampments—but will they use it?
California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order encouraging cities to “move with urgency” to clear out camps. The move, which is at odds with others in the West, follows a Supreme Court ruling in June.
Management
Rules for out-of-town governors could cause headaches for potential VP pick
Half of the states strip governors of their executive powers when they leave the state, which can create confusion in emergencies and open the door for political mischief.
Management
New anti-immigration laws' real focus is the U.S. Supreme Court, report says
A liberal group warns that laws in Iowa, Oklahoma and Texas that criminalize illegal entry into the country could give the conservative high court a chance to overturn a 2012 decision limiting state and local power over immigration.
Management
Georgia’s Medicaid work requirements have brought high costs, low enrollment
The state’s experience so far stands in stark contrast with that of North Carolina, where half a million people have signed up for Medicaid coverage in the first seven months of its expansion.
Infrastructure
Major federal bridge grants jump-start long-stalled projects
The Biden administration announced $5 billion to build major bridge replacements, including several grants that were among the largest received by states in their history.
Management
Can a candidate with ties to Trump break Democrats’ hold on N.C. governorship?
Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson has attracted controversy with his incendiary remarks, but he also has the backing of Donald Trump in a state the former president seems poised to win.
Infrastructure
Rough ride? Data bikes chart the condition of bike paths in more cities
The tools that transportation agencies use to record the condition of pavement on roadways don’t work for biking and walking paths, so several communities are rolling out bikes that can get the job done.
Infrastructure
High-speed rail needs national direction to get rolling, report says
A New York University professor emphasizes the need to pay attention to the nuts and bolts—or, in this case, the rail profiles and cross ties—of high-speed rail projects to keep costs down and construction on time.
Infrastructure
Pedestrian deaths finally dipped in 2023
A new report shows some progress in improving safety for people traveling by foot, but the number of pedestrian fatalities is still far higher than it was before the pandemic.
Finance
$1 trillion a year in tax breaks goes out the door. Are states keeping track?
A new report from the Volcker Alliance highlights the lack of transparency around tax expenditures, and calls on states to better monitor whether the tax breaks are achieving their intended effects.
Management
Supreme Court issues rulings on opioid settlement, overturns Chevron doctrine
As the term nears its end, the high court has issued a flurry of decisions that will affect state and local governments.
Featured eBooks
Management
It’s OK to ban homeless people from camping in public, high court rules
The U.S. Supreme Court sided with states and cities, saying anti-camping laws are not “cruel and unusual punishment” and that the laws of Grants Pass, Oregon, did not punish people for being homeless.
Management
Supreme Court narrows law for fighting state and local corruption
The high court’s conservatives ruled that a key anti-corruption law only applies to bribes and not to “gratuities” meant to reward officials for their service.
Infrastructure
Biden administration awards $1.8B for urban, rural transportation projects
The more than 145 projects include funding for urban street upgrades, bike and pedestrian improvements, and highway expansions, among other things.
Management
Why the fight over abortion pills isn’t over yet
The Supreme Court dismissed a challenge from anti-abortion groups attempting to restrict access to mifepristone, but conservative states are acting on their own to block access to the increasingly popular medicine.
Infrastructure
After Amtrak’s ‘best revenue month ever,’ House GOP focuses on railroad’s bonuses
Congressional Republicans called for more information about executive compensation and more board transparency for the passenger rail company, citing ridership drops after the pandemic.
Infrastructure
Midwest states launch new rail service, 12 years in the making
The new Borealis Amtrak service between Chicago and St. Paul has given rail advocates something to cheer about. But they hope other new projects can come online quicker.
Infrastructure
Congestion pricing: If it can’t make it in New York, can it make it anywhere?
Other cities are considering it, but all eyes were on the city that never sleeps. By trying to quell controversy over the downtown toll plan, the New York governor sparked new questions about transit funding, environmental goals and political consequences.
Infrastructure
New York governor blocks downtown tolling plan at the last minute
Citing economic hardships, Gov. Kathy Hochul put an indefinite hold on the congestion pricing plan for Lower Manhattan, upending a decade of planning to reduce traffic and air pollution.
Infrastructure
Boston-area commuter rail bounces back, while other agencies lag
The MBTA is luring riders back with more frequent service and more trains on the nights and weekends.
