Author Archive
Kery Murakami
Finance
Funding for WIC food assistance remains uncertain amid budget fight
As food costs increase, more women than expected have been signing up for the program. Without increased funding, states may have to turn women and their children away.
Finance
Low-income water assistance program set to end
Advocates are pushing to extend the program as poverty rates in the U.S. are on rise, an increase attributed to the end of other expanded pandemic benefits for food, rent and unemployment.
Management
Pandemic unemployment insurance fraud could have cost $135B, says government watchdog
The Government Accountability Office also says that cuts Congress made as part of the debt deal in June has hurt state efforts to prevent future fraud.
Infrastructure
Transportation is feeling the heat
As cities nationwide get hotter, addressing extreme temperatures and their effects on roads, bridges and rail is becoming a priority.
Management
States will soon be required to track post-welfare employment outcomes
The new rule, part of the debt deal struck in June, is a bipartisan effort by Congress to improve welfare assistance and lift recipients out of poverty.
Infrastructure
States lose federal water funds to earmarks
Democrats and Republicans in Congress could divert nearly $1.5 billion from states for local funding.
Emerging Tech
States put up their own money to attract chips manufacturing
One year after the CHIPS act became law, states are bolstering federal funding with their own investments in semiconductor research and development.
Infrastructure
As flood risk changes, many communities brace for insurance rate shock
While the National Flood Insurance Program’s new way of setting flood insurance premiums better reflect a property’s flood risk, lawmakers say the significantly higher rates for some properties could discourage people from buying insurance.
Infrastructure
States get a leg up on grant applications
To better compete for federal funding, several states are setting up programs to provide matching funds and grant writing expertise.
Finance
Treasury expands the uses of ARPA funding
Under interim rules, the federal agency would allow state and local governments to spend coronavirus relief money on natural disasters, additional transportation projects and housing, among other uses.
Infrastructure
Much is at stake in Congress’ upcoming budget negotiations for state and local water agencies
Two analyses suggest governments will be getting far less than what they need. They blame politics and earmarks.
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Finance
A GOP bill would ban California’s pig measure and others like it
The proposal, which is part of the farm bill, would block states from passing laws that could change how agriculture is practiced in other states. Critics say it could upend hundreds of state and local laws.
Management
The risk of fraud is high in the nation’s largest housing program, report finds
The federal department that disperses funds to states to build affordable housing is failing to provide necessary oversight, an audit found, increasing “the opportunities for mismanagement and fraudulent activity.”
Digital Government
Regulate AI? Here’s what states need to know
A new report by the National Conference of State Legislatures provides a primer for lawmakers on how they might approach oversight of artificial intelligence.
Workforce
Most cities' climate plans don’t plan for a green workforce, report says
As cities look to meet ambitious climate goals, many are missing key details in their plans to build the workforce they will need.
Emerging Tech
Unless states act soon, the ‘AI rich’ will ‘only get richer’
The industry is currently concentrated in only a handful of places in the U.S. States can change that.
Finance
Food assistance for new moms and toddlers projected to fall short
The number of low-income women signing up for the federal Women, Infants and Children program is sharply increasing. But funding levels don't look likely to change.
Management
For states, the rollout of 988 still faces some challenges
One year in, states are struggling to staff up the suicide prevention lifeline and get the word out about its existence.
Public Safety
Survey: More than three-fourths of 911 centers face staffing crisis
While not enough research has been done to identify and address issues dispatchers are facing, a recent poll shows 911 centers are understaffed and overwhelmed by calls.
Infrastructure