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.
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.
- By Elizabeth Daigneau
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.
- By Elizabeth Daigneau
Finance
Can pensions help address growing wealth inequality?
A new report finds that pensions have significant impacts on household wealth, increasing net worth across race, gender and educational attainment.
- By Elizabeth Daigneau
Infrastructure
Cities struggle to solve the public restroom problem
There's a lack of public restrooms in U.S., which particularly affects the homeless. New policies and portable toilet models are helping to address the shortage.
- By Elizabeth Daigneau
Infrastructure
Feds open new round in $500M grant program for transportation tech
The second year of SMART grants will award another $100 million to state, local and tribal governments for safe, equitable and sustainable transportation solutions.
- By Elizabeth Daigneau
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.
- By Daniel C. Vock and Elizabeth Daigneau
Workforce
New fiscal year, new taxes
A slate of tax policy changes are set to take effect across 18 states. And just as the first day of July brings tax changes, the last day of June marks the end of another U.S. Supreme Court term. Here are the rulings that impacted states. Plus, more news to use in this week's State and Local Roundup.
- By Elizabeth Daigneau
Management
The Press and the Government
Kentucky agencies are restricting their workers’ interaction with the media—in some ways that are unconstitutional. It highlights a tension that has long existed between governments and news outlets. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
- By Elizabeth Daigneau
Management
SCOTUS Preserves Medicaid Patients’ Right to Sue
Had the court ruled differently, it would have stripped millions of people who rely on federal assistance programs of the ability to sue states when their rights are violated. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Round
- By Elizabeth Daigneau
Workforce
Staffing Challenges Spur Another Look at Four-Day Workweeks
School districts think shorter weeks could attract more teachers, while one Colorado city hopes they can help address chronic staffing shortages at its police department.
- By Elizabeth Daigneau
Management
GOP Governors Respond to Texas' Call for Troops at Border
Four more governors have joined a growing list of Republican-led states sending personnel to the U.S.-Mexico border. But is it effective? Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
- By Elizabeth Daigneau
Management
North Dakota Governor for President?
What the U.S. Supreme Court rulings mean for states and localities; watching the debt limit drama; and more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
- By Elizabeth Daigneau
Finance
Local Governments Escape Ruling that Could Have Upended Property Tax Laws
The Supreme Court ruled that cities and counties cannot keep surplus funds from the homes they sell after residents fail to pay property taxes. But local officials nationwide are breathing a sigh of relief that the court didn’t go further.
- By Elizabeth Daigneau
Workforce
County Wants to Employ Ex-Offenders and ‘Break the Cycle’
A unique jobs website lists available Shelby County government jobs for people with arrest or conviction histories in an effort to fill job vacancies and reduce recidivism.
- By Elizabeth Daigneau
Digital Government
Montana Ban Targets TikTok, Along with China and Big Tech
State lawmakers are treading on new ground with an outright ban, but legislators around the country are concerned about the reach of social media. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
- By Elizabeth Daigneau
Finance
Amid Economic Uncertainty, State Tax Revenues Decline
If there’s good news in April's numbers, though, it might be that most states were already planning for softer revenue growth in fiscal 2024 and many have robust rainy day funds to weather a potential downturn. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
- By Elizabeth Daigneau
Management
More Than 72,000 Lose Medicaid Coverage in Arkansas
Thousands of children lost coverage in the state's effort to update enrollment—a process taking place nationwide as states review the eligibility of millions of Medicaid enrollees following the public health emergency.
- By Elizabeth Daigneau
Management
Bail Reform Faces Backlash
New York rolled back key parts of its 2019 bail reform law amid fears of rising crime. Those concerns are echoed in communities nationwide—especially in places forging ahead with their own laws—despite data that shows bail reforms don't negatively impact public safety. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
- By Elizabeth Daigneau
Workforce
New State Efforts to Address Workforce Shortages
As governments continue to struggle to fill public sector jobs, states are getting creative—from the first-ever public service law to allowing DACA recipients to become police officers. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
- By Elizabeth Daigneau
Management
Three Possible Bipartisan Approaches Emerge in Curbing Gun Violence
While state approaches to gun laws vary widely, some see places where both sides of the debate can find agreement. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
- By Elizabeth Daigneau