Author Archive
Kate Elizabeth Queram
Management
Extra, Extra! State Lawmakers Propose Tax Credit to Help Save Local Journalism
A New York bill would offer tax credits to offset the cost of salaries for journalists at local outlets, as well as a subsidy for their subscribers.
Health & Human Services
Surgeons Sometimes Deny Organ Transplants for Disabled Patients. State Lawmakers Are Changing That.
Twenty-nine states prevent doctors from considering a person's disability when determining eligibility for an organ transplant. Wisconsin could join them.
Health & Human Services
'Love Letter' Legislation Leads to Lawsuit
A real estate firm filed a lawsuit to contest a new law in Oregon that prohibits sellers from presenting their clients with letters from prospective homebuyers, a common practice in competitive markets.
Health & Human Services
Judge Blocks National Vaccine Mandate for Health Care Workers
The Tuesday ruling stops a nationwide vaccine mandate by the Biden administration that was set to start Dec. 6.
Infrastructure
The Country’s Most Cost-Effective Highway Systems
North Dakota’s highways are in the best condition for the least amount of money, according to an annual report released this month.
Public Safety
Should Rap Lyrics Be Used as Evidence in Criminal Trials?
A proposal in the New York State Assembly would require prosecutors to meet stricter standards to use rap lyrics as evidence, a relatively common practice that in most states has gone unregulated.
Management
Snowy Roads Will Be Cleared, But It Will ‘Take Extra Time’
The ongoing labor shortage has exacerbated existing plow driver hiring problems, transportation officials said.
Health & Human Services
How Cities Are Addressing Mental Distress
Successful programs include partnerships between social workers and first responders, incorporate data and recognize larger social factors affecting health and well-being, like racism, experts say.
Finance
The Federal Government Spent Record Amounts of Money on Children Last Year. It Probably Won’t Last.
Spending on children—including tax programs, education, nutrition and social services—by state and local governments also will likely fall back to pre-pandemic levels within several years as Covid-19 relief measures expire, according to an Urban Institute report.
Management
One County Will Give $76 Million in ‘Hero Pay’ to Public Employees for Covid Response
Most full-time workers in California’s Santa Clara County will receive $2,500 bonuses, all paid for with the county's federal Covid-19 relief allotment.
Health & Human Services
Mental Health Disorders Qualify You for a Covid-19 Booster. It’s Unclear How Many People Know That.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made the change a month ago, but finding the information online can be tricky.
Featured eBooks
Tech & Data
Taking Race Out of Criminal Charges
Prosecutors in Yolo County, California, are attempting “race-blind charging” by using software to redact identifying information, including race and other descriptors, from police reports.
Public Safety
County Judge Bans Elf on the Shelf ‘Tyranny’ as ‘Gift To Tired Parents’
Cobb County, Georgia Superior Court Judge Robert D. Leonard II, in a blistering decision, banned the elf, a stuffed toy that serves as a lookout for Santa around the world.
Public Safety
Homelessness, Homicides and Hospitality: One City’s Ongoing Reputation Problem
Portland, Oregon, once a popular travel destination for business travelers, foodies and nature lovers, is struggling to regain its tourism footing after months of social justice protests and record crime rates.
Management
Moderate Democrats Prevail in Notable Local Races, as a High Profile Police Reform Initiative Fails
But progressives also scored some key wins. Experts caution that off-year elections typically do not serve as a great barometer for the nation's political leanings.
Management
2020 Census May Have Missed More Than 1.6M Residents
New research from the Urban Institute found that minorities were likely underrepresented in the population count, leaving some states with a windfall of federal funding while others came up short.
Health & Human Services
State Lawmaker Accepts $15,000 Fine for Legislating from Operating Room
A Maryland delegate who is also a plastic surgeon participated in two legislative meetings while operating, an oversight board found.
Management
'An Absolutely Fascinating' Local Government Job
Coroners operate "in the shadows of local government" and their profession is misunderstood. Longtime coroner Dotti Owens explains why "this is my thing."
Management
Elections Officials Are Still Receiving Death Threats and Harassment About the 2020 Election. They’re Asking Congress For Help.
Three state and local election officials testified before a Senate committee about their terrifying experiences since last year’s election in support of proposed voting reform legislation.
Management