Governing: State and local government news and analysis
They’re crucial to local economies. As Congress debates a new surface transportation bill, it’s a time to set funding formulas that reflect needs on the ground.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has become a touchstone in urban politics around the country for all kinds of reasons. One of them is a focus on executing basic government services.
A sharp decline in international migration slowed population growth in 48 states, underscoring how dependent many states have become on migration to sustain growth.
Too many end up homeless. Stability is critical, and far more can be done to create supportive environments.
A report from Trust for America’s Health examines state readiness to respond to disease outbreaks and disasters.
The race for California insurance commissioner is attracting new attention, new money, and a range of policy ideas as increasingly frequent disasters have shaken up the insurance industry.
The latest struggle over abortion rights is in disguise at the Supreme Court.
Median asking rent is down from a peak in 2022, according to a null report. Some cities are still seeing year-over-year rent increases.
In Arizona alone, the number of residents receiving nutrition aid fell 42 percent from July 2025 to January 2026.
Convenience stores, bodegas and other small food sellers will have to make difficult changes under new federal and state regulations. It could make it harder for low-income people to follow a balanced diet, and some may have to close.
The dismissal of the entire National Science Board breaks down guardrails that protect public health, says epidemiologist Brian Castrucci.
Transit agencies are still sorting out the financial challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In some areas the decline in ridership could be permanent.
As Atlanta’s mayor puts it, a strategy for everything “means you have a strategy of nothing.”
The World Cup is expected to draw huge crowds, and it’s up to cities to figure out how to get them to the matches before kickoff.
Teams are worth a lot of money that public universities could use to fund academic priorities. It’s also an opportunity to abandon the myth of the “student-athlete.”
Allen, Texas, put a few videos on its new YouTube channel in 2007 just to see what would happen. Today the channel has a subscriber base few local governments could match.
State policies that can unlock the affordability of home electrification, rooftop solar and battery storage could save families significant money while giving them a direct stake in the next energy economy.
People’s perceptions of whether crime is rising and how safe they feel may be influenced by their financial outlook, neighborhood demographics and other factors, according to a recent report.
There are efforts at the state level to curtail it, but it’s not going away.
They say they’re tightening their belts. But survey optimism and budget balance tell you little about longer-term structural fiscal health.
The streetcar initially played an economic-development role downtown. As it expands, it’s doing more heavy lifting for the city’s transportation needs.
Salaries and local cost of living are generally intertwined, but no state pays enough for teachers to live comfortably.
State zoning reforms to remove barriers to factory-built homes have done little to close the housing gap. There are steps state and federal policymakers should take to boost this affordable option.
Despite failing to cover the costs of infrastructure, state and federal motor fuel taxes have been an elegant solution to funding transportation. More user fees are likely, but they will be kludgier and more intrusive.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is viewed unfavorably by a majority of residents. She still has an edge over her challengers in her campaign for a second term.
The report from the FEMA Review Council affirms the need for the agency, but urges changes in federal and state responsibilities.
A KFF survey finds that states want more guidance on implementing new Medicaid work requirements from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz.
Its success reflects a combination of consistent public investment and cultural seriousness about the obligation to care for people.
The new law targets AI used to make important decisions about who gets access to jobs, education, healthcare, housing and other key areas, and could set a precedent for other states.
They’re a crucial public resource, but cities don’t manage or maintain them well. There is plenty they could be doing.
