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Not Just L.A.: Where Teachers Might Strike in 2019

Unrest over education funding and policy is brewing in several cities and states across the country.

• Why the L.A. Teacher Strike Is Different From Last Year's Protests Protesters holding umbrellas fill the street.

A State-Run Bank for Marijuana Money? Not So Fast.

The idea is gaining popularity as a way to get around federal laws that ban banks from handling cannabis businesses' money. But a new report pans the idea.

6 Innovative Ways States and Localities Are Preparing for the 2020 Census

The decennial count is plagued by uncertainties and fears of undercounting immigrants, minorities and low-income people.

• Judge Blocks Census Citizenship Question as Case Heads to Supreme Court

If Shutdown Persists, Can States Fund Food Stamps and Welfare on Their Own?

States are scrambling to figure out how to fund the $4-billion-a-month food stamps program -- and whether to keep cash welfare going. Some say it's "probably not possible."

• How the Shutdown Affects Federal Employment in Each State

Lawmakers Eye Changes to Ballot Measures -- Passed and Future

Legislators are seeking to roll back some of the high-profile ballot measures that voters approved in November. They also want to make it harder for initiatives to pass in the future.

Commuters wait for the L train in New York.

As Shutdown Stretches On, Transportation Officials Worry About Long-Term Effects

Local transit agencies are being hit harder than state highway departments. But the shutdown is only part of the problem for transportation funding.

• The Shutdown's Impact on States and Localities
Teacher working with a student with disabilities.

Do School Vouchers Only Benefit the Wealthy?

Most of the students using Arizona’s vouchers are already in top-performing schools.

The Oregon Justice Building and statue.

#MeToo Elicits More Harassment Conversations, But Not Necessarily Complaints

To address sexual harassment, it needs to be reported. State employees have been hesitant to do that.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio holding a piece of paper up while giving a speech.

Can California and NYC Afford Their Near-Universal Health-Care Plans?

Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Bill de Blasio initiated ambitious plans this week to cover drastically more residents, including undocumented immigrants who are not currently eligible for subsidized insurance.

COMMENTARY

Infrastructure Investments Won’t Matter Until We Lower Retiree Costs

Congress should use new money to prod states and cities into addressing the growing expenses of public employees.

COMMENTARY

Why ‘Nudge’ Policies Should Be Used Gently

Behavioral economics is a powerful tool to encourage people to make certain decisions, but governments need to use it with caution.

COMMENTARY

Why This Is the Year to Begin Addressing the Infrastructure Deficit

With signs pointing to a weakening economy, we need to get ready now, and we need to do it right.

NEWS IN NUMBERS

66%

"Yes" vote that would be needed to approve future ballot measures under bills being considered in Florida and Missouri. Ohio is similarly considering raising the bar to 60 percent.

MORE DIGITS

The 10 States That Give More to the Feds Than They Get Back

Connecticut tops the list of states whose taxpayers receive the least bang for their buck from the feds.

MOST READ

  1. 1

    If Shutdown Persists, Can States Fund Food Stamps and Welfare on Their Own?
  2. 2

    As Shutdown Stretches On, Transportation Officials Worry About Long-Term Effects
  3. 3

    How the Shutdown Affects Federal Employment in Each State
  4. 4

    Why the L.A. Teacher Strike Is Different From Last Year's Protests
  5. 5

    The Biggest Issues for States to Watch in 2018
  6. 6

    The Federal Shutdown's Impact on States and Localities
  7. 7

    To Reduce Fatal Pregnancies, Some States Look to Doulas

Lead in School Water: Less Than Half the States Test for It, and Fewer Require It

Federal regulations neither require schools to test their water nor have a single health standard for drinking water. The resulting patchwork of state policies can have a big impact on how -- and whether -- they respond to lead found in water.

WHO SAID THAT?

“Please budget for buying food wisely! Additional benefits cannot be added for future months until the shutdown is resolved.”

MORE QUOTES

As Retiree Health-Care Costs Soar, Public Employers Turn to Private Insurers

Retiree health care is one of the fastest-growing line items in government budgets and, in response, some governments are scrapping their traditional health plans.

Doctors Don't Have to Tell Patients They're on Probation, Except in One State

California is the first state to require physicians to inform patients about their history of sexual misconduct, overprescribing medications, criminal convictions or substance abuse. Will others follow?

Why Don't Alaska Governors Last Longer Than One Term?

Incoming Gov. Mike Dunleavy is the sixth person to win the office in as many elections. The constant turnover has made it difficult for the state to solve its biggest problems.

Nighttime Traffic Deaths on the Rise

From 2010 to 2017, nighttime pedestrian and cyclist fatalities rose 46 percent while daytime deaths rose 15 percent.

• What's the 'Dutch Reach'? 2 U.S. States Adopt It to Save Cyclists' Lives

All or Nothing: How State Politics Became a Winner-Take-All World

In practically every state, one party now holds all the legislative power. And once they get it, they’re keeping it.

Young People Power Into Statehouses and City Halls

This year will see the largest class yet of millennials entering legislatures. How will they shape politics and policies?

The Biggest Issues for States to Watch in 2019

18 of the policies and proposals that will dominate state legislatures this year.

U.S. Police Under Pressure to End Their Relationship With Israel

Police departments have been sending their leaders to Israel to learn about the country's counterterrorism strategies since the 1990s. But growing opposition is pushing some to rethink these exchange programs.

To Reduce Fatal Pregnancies, Some States Look to Doulas

New York is set to become the third state Medicaid program to cover pregnancy and birth coaches for low-income women as a way of lowering the maternal mortality rate.