Author Archive
Kate Elizabeth Queram
Kate Elizabeth Queram is a staff correspondent for Government Executive’s Route Fifty. She most recently covered state and local government for the News & Record, a daily newspaper in Greensboro, N.C. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland.
Management
Baltimore is Latest City to Cap Delivery App Fees Paid by Restaurants
Other cities have enacted similar policies, meant to help restaurants struggling during the pandemic. At least one delivery app company has responded with a new customer surcharge.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Management
'We Can't Have Different Facts': Why Lt. Gov. John Fetterman Still Believes in Universal Truths
The Pennsylvania Democrat received national attention for his blunt takedowns of voter fraud claims in the wake of the November election. He's now pondering a U.S. Senate run.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Public Safety
'Systemic Buy-In:' How New Jersey Approaches Police Reform
In New Jersey, comprehensive police reform began by listening to community members, law enforcement agencies and civil rights organizations, Gurbir S. Grewal, the state's attorney general, said during a Route Fifty event.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Health & Human Services
The Pandemic is Hurting Child Care. Parents are Paying the Price.
About 700,000 parents left their jobs to care for their kids after child care centers closed, according to a recent analysis.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Management
Cities and Counties Honor Lives Lost to Covid-19
Communities across the country participated Tuesday in a national Covid-19 memorial, while others have erected more permanent reminders of those who have died during the pandemic.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Management
'The Internet Has Made Us Dumber,' and Other Lessons Government Officials Learned in 2020
State and local officials weigh in on what they're taking from—and leaving behind in—the dumpster fire that was last year.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Management
Customers Won't Wear a Mask? One State Says to Call the Police.
Updated guidance from the New Hampshire Attorney General's office instructs businesses to call local law enforcement for assistance if customers simply refuse to comply with a statewide mask mandate.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Health & Human Services
Farmers Can be Isolated and Unsure How to Seek Support. One State is Trying to Help.
Farmers in Wisconsin can access a 24-hour hotline, free counseling and, soon, virtual support groups. It's all part of a state-funded wellness program focused on the agricultural community.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Management
State Capitols on 'High Alert' Amid Talk of Armed Protests
Governors in multiple states were beefing up security at statehouses in preparation for rumored protests through the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Infrastructure
Report: Stop Lines do Little to Encourage Drivers to Stop
Stop lines, the thick white bars painted ahead of intersections, do little to prevent crashes or influence driver behavior, a 14-year study found.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Health & Human Services
Lawsuit: State Vaccination Program Should Prioritize Seniors
An 87-year-old Idaho man filed the suit, seeking to force the state to alter its Covid-19 vaccination program.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Management
With Schools Deemed Low-Risk for Covid, One State Urges a Return to Hybrid Learning
Delaware Gov. John Carney asked schools to resume at least some in-person instruction by Monday, saying that state health data showed that schools have not been significant sources of infection.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Management
Survey: Residents Prefer Multiple Ways to Access Local Government Services
But the specific type of access that residents prefer—in-person visits, phone calls, or digital—depends on where they live and how old they are.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Health & Human Services
A Decrease in Student Transfers Could Have Lasting Effects on Education Mobility
Transfers by college students decreased by 8%, with disproportionate impacts to minorities and community-college students, according to research from the National Student Clearinghouse.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Management
Timing of Covid-19 Vaccine for Health Care Workers Depends on Where They Live
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Kansas and Missouri plan to rely on the honor system to comply with priority distribution of coronavirus vaccines ... Employees in one Louisiana city will receive a one-time lump-sum hazard payment ... Indiana lawmakers hope to shield businesses from Covid-19 lawsuits.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Management
New York Leaders Call for Restrictions on UK Flights
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Record numbers of Vermonters hunt and fish during pandemic ... Oklahoma recruits out-of-state tourists while feds urge limits on travel ... Hawaii governor warns of deep budget cuts.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Management
'A Lost Generation:’ Community Colleges Report Record Enrollment Declines
New data shows total enrollment decreased by more than 10% since last fall, with the most precipitous drop seen with first-year students.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Health & Human Services
Biden Urges Governors to Support Reopening Schools by April
In a virtual call with members of the National Governors Association, President-elect Joe Biden reiterated his desire for most schools to return to in-person learning in the first 100 days of his administration.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Health & Human Services
The Covid Detection Method That's Been Right Under Our Noses—Literally
Four dogs in Hawaii are training to detect Covid-19 by scent, part of a large international research study to determine whether it's possible—and how it might be used.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram
Management
Michigan Lawmakers to Do Away with Automatic License Suspensions
Legislators approved a bill that will stop the suspensions of driver's licenses for most unpaid fines and fees.
- By Kate Elizabeth Queram