Author Archive

Elizabeth Daigneau

Elizabeth Daigneau is the executive editor at Route Fifty where she is responsible for driving the daily news operations and overseeing the team of reporters and contributors covering the stories affecting city, county and state government officials. Before joining Route Fifty, Elizabeth was the chief operating officer at Vote.org, where In 2020,she helped run one of the largest voter mobilization programs in the civic sphere. Prior to Vote.org, Elizabeth served as the managing editor of Governing magazine for nearly a decade. In addition to her editing duties there, she wrote about energy and the environment for the state and local audience. After graduating from American University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and literature, Elizabeth went to work at Foreign Policy magazine as assistant to the editor. Elizabeth lives in Maryland with her son and husband.
Digital Government

Nearly $1B available for local digital inclusion projects

The goal of the new federal grant program is to fund local efforts that provide underserved communities with the tools and skills needed to access high-speed internet service.

Digital Government

Know a rising star? Nominate them.

Route Fifty and Nextgov/FCW are looking to spotlight early-career leaders across the government technology space. Nominations are due by August 14.

Finance

States, cities consider ‘mansion taxes’ to fund affordable housing

From sales taxes to real estate transfer taxes, governments are desperately trying to identify dedicated funding tracts for homelessness and housing initiatives.

Management

Supreme Court upholds barring guns from domestic violence suspects

The decision keeps intact a nearly 30-year-old federal law as well as state laws in 46 states and Washington, D.C.

Finance

In tax code ruling, U.S. Supreme Court declined to open ‘Pandora's box’

Justices sided with the government, avoiding a decision that could have upended the tax code and cost state and local governments trillions of dollars.

Cybersecurity

FCC approves pilot to boost cybersecurity in schools

Amid a rapid increase in ransomware attacks on k-12 schools, the commission is allocating $200 million over three years to strengthen cyber protections.

Digital Government

23M households will no longer receive monthly federal internet subsidy

The Affordable Connectivity Program has officially run out of money. But more than a dozen internet providers have pledged to offer plans at $30 or less through 2024 for low-income households.

Management

A new tool aims to help communities spend their opioid settlement money wisely

The dashboard helps local governments estimate how much money to expect and, based on that, offers evidence-based recommendations on how best to spend it.

Workforce

Can a ‘sprint’ to a medical emergency solve states’ EMS shortages?

Minnesota lawmakers have approved a so-called sprint paramedic program to confront the state's worsening rural emergency response.

Finance

Can the snarky ‘Save Our Yachts’ campaign save Washington’s capital gains tax?

The long-fought-for and hard-won tax has survived its legal challenges. Now it must survive the ballot.

Infrastructure

Under new partnership with feds, state AGs can investigate airline complaints

States have not been allowed to pursue air carriers for violating consumer protection laws since 1978, but a new partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation will give attorneys general power to probe and report violations.

Infrastructure

EPA issues first-ever drinking water standards for ‘forever chemicals’

The Biden administration also announced nearly $1 billion in newly available funding to help public water utilities implement PFAS testing and treatment.

Management

The 5 best movies about state or local government, part 2

Lights, camera, action! In honor of this weekend’s Oscar Awards, here are our team’s top picks.

Finance

States move to cut grocery taxes

Amid rising food prices, more states are reducing or eliminating a sales tax that impacts lower-income households the most.

Finance

Municipalities taxing stay-at-home workers during pandemic was OK, court says

The Ohio Supreme Court upheld a temporary state law that allowed employers to withhold municipal income tax irrespective of where their employees performed their work. The ruling sets a precedent in the state.

Workforce

City extends police department’s ‘life changing’ 4-day workweek pilot

The decision comes after the data shows that the 32-hour workweek resulted in faster emergency response times and cost savings

Infrastructure

Infrastructure ‘bootcamps’ help smaller cities win federal grants

The Local Infrastructure Hub has helped participating cities win millions of dollars to address pressing needs in transportation, climate, flood mitigation, rails, broadband and more.

Workforce

Get to know the 2023 Rising Stars

This year's class of Rising Stars has been selected both for their accomplishments over the past year and for their leadership potential.

Infrastructure

$1.5 billion now available in federal transportation grants

A variety of road, transit, rail and trail projects are eligible for funding under the Transportation Department’s popular RAISE program.

Digital Government

Introducing the 2023 Rising Stars

Route Fifty is proud to participate in the Rising Star Awards, a program that recognizes innovative, early-career individuals who are already having an outsized impact in the government IT community.