Author Archive
Molly Bolan
Infrastructure
A Plan to Use City Property for Affordable Housing
Boston is on track to open up dozens of parcels to developers early next year, while also offering residents direct aid to help with home-purchasing costs.
Finance
This Midwestern City Plans to Wipe Out Residents’ Medical Debt
The new program follows a similar one launched in Cook County, Illinois earlier this year.
Finance
How Tax Credits Could Help States Reduce Child Poverty by 25%
A well-designed plan would collectively cost 2.6% of total state and local revenue and complement existing federal policies, according to the Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy.
Management
Twitter Turbulence Under Elon Musk Poses Headache For Governments
States and localities have come to depend on the social media platform to get information out in emergencies and other situations. But a surge in imposter accounts has some worried.
Finance
Latest Round of Grant Funding Opens for Public Arts Projects
The Bloomberg Philanthropies initiative will offer awards of up to $1 million. Cities with over 30,000 people are eligible to apply.
Health & Human Services
The High Toll of Work on Mental Health and Its Hit to Productivity
New survey findings show that more than a third of workers say their jobs are a drag on their mental health, with government employees topping a list of those reporting ill effects.
Management
Split Results in Marijuana Legalization Votes
Measures to legalize recreational cannabis won approval in two states, and failed in three.
Management
What It’s Like for a State Wildlife Agency to Star in a Reality TV Show
Nuisance bears, rabid skunks, search and rescue. Duties are seldom dull for New Hampshire Fish and Game. But for nine seasons the department added a twist to its operations, participating in the show “North Woods Law.”
Management
Bracing for the Fraud Claims Expected After the Election
This year could be even riper for misinformation to spread than 2020, according to researchers.
Health & Human Services
How a Vending Machine Prevents Drug Overdoses
About 600 lives have been saved by a machine in Ohio that stocks overdose treatments and other harm reduction tools, according to a health nonprofit.
Infrastructure
The Places With the Most New Office Construction
Even with Covid, commercial real estate development grew last year. But some metro areas are seeing more activity than others.
Featured eBooks
Finance
A City Asks Residents to Vote on Which Infrastructure Projects to Fund
Denver is turning to “participatory budgeting” to decide how it will use a small slice of its budget for public works projects.
Infrastructure
What Closing Streets to Cars Meant for Restaurants in New York City
The city shut some streets to vehicle traffic during the pandemic. New research looks at how bars and eateries in these areas performed compared to pre-Covid years.
Public Safety
Housing Program Shows Signs of Helping Homeless While Reducing Arrests
A new study finds an initiative in Denver has the potential to break a cycle of police spending hundreds of hours arresting people repeatedly for minor infractions.
Management
What Workers Want From Their Jobs Other Than Good Pay
Labor researchers say while wages are important, other elements can also help to recruit employees and keep them aboard.
Tech & Data
Testing Out New Transportation Options in the Nation’s Capital
Washington, D.C. officials are hoping a “mobility innovation district” will help address equity concerns.
Infrastructure
What to Know About the $350M in New Funding for Wildlife Crossings
The money to cut down on highway collisions between vehicles and animals was included in the infrastructure law. The application process for it should open early next year.
Management
Striking the Right Balance Engaging With Residents Online
A new survey looks at preferences around giving input to local governments virtually, versus in person. It also finds most people don’t recall ever being asked for feedback.
Tech & Data
The Small Alabama City That’s Gained 117,000 TikTok Followers
Oneonta Mayor Richard Phillips’ video posts goofing around about local government and highlighting the town have attracted online fans and, in some cases, real life visitors.
Tech & Data