This Government Bond Insures Against Failure

The first-ever environmental impact bond gives an agency some of its money back if its idea doesn't pan out.

Nevadans Vote to Dismantle the State's Electric Monopoly

The ballot measure to make the state’s electric utility compete for business was backed by a group of heavy hitters in Nevada politics.

Indiana and Kansas Make Fishing and Hunting a Constitutional Right

More than 80 percent of voters approved amendments on the ballot in both states.

Washington State Rejects What Would Have Been Nation's First Carbon Tax

The ballot measure, which was meant to curb pollution, had even divided environmentalists.

Solar Measure Fails in the Sunshine State

Voters rejected a controversial measure that pit environmentalists versus electric utilities.

In Cash-Strapped States, Voters Protect Transportation Funds

Illinois and New Jersey are joining the growing number of states that restrict how transportation money can be spent.

Big Idea for a Small Space: Tiny Houses for the Homeless

Yuba County, Calif., is just the latest government to join the craze.

A Symbol of Government Failure Gets a Second Chance

The site of a long-gone but still-criticized public housing complex in St. Louis is being redeveloped. Will history repeat itself?

Cities Closely Watching Chicago’s Version of a Fitbit

The city is installing sensors that could reveal a lot about the best way for governments to use smart technology.

Voting Technology Needs an Upgrade, But Who Will Pay for It?

Even though most polls are working with decades-old machines that lose or miscount votes, states and the federal government are largely ignoring the problem.

Fixing the Nation’s Second Busiest Transit System, From Every Direction

Washington, D.C.’s Metro has many daunting problems, partially because of the unique way it’s funded and managed. Its new management team is tasked with fixing all of them.

As Composting Gains Popularity, Cities Struggle to Meet Demand

Americans want to live more sustainable lives. Can governments keep up?

Transportation’s Poverty-Fighting Potential

Experts agree that that there's a crucial link. On Nov. 8, Indianapolis' voters will decide if they buy the argument.

Limited Resources and the Vision of a Circular Economy

Technology is boosting the idea of a zero-waste framework in which everything is used, reused and recovered.

How State Elections Could Affect Road Funding

The victors in down-ballot races could determine what approaches states take toward fixing up rundown roads and infrastructure in the years to come.

The Newest State Park in America

It’s also one of the oldest tourist destinations.

Phoenix’s Ambitious Plan to Beat the Desert Heat

In just over a decade, officials want to cover a quarter of the city in shade.

D.C.’s Metro and the Power of a P3

If the District of Columbia’s transit system was a public-private partnership, some say it wouldn't be falling apart right now.

Before Joining the Bike-Lane Craze, Consider This

There are many questions that need to be answered before reducing Americans' beloved car space.

From Hundreds to Thousands of Inspections: How Pittsburgh Is Winning the Permit Game

It was once practically impossible to get a building inspected in the city. Now it’s easier than ever.

Hoping for the Success They Had Against Tobacco, State AGs Unite to Fight Climate Change

But there's a major difference between today’s efforts and the tobacco lawsuits of the 1990s.

States May Downshift Regulations for Driverless Cars

The federal government told states to take a backseat. While some will likely listen, others may push their plans full speed ahead anyway.

Doubling Down on California’s Climate Commitment

Legislation it passed a decade ago has produced significant gains without wrecking the state's economy. A new law holds promise for accelerating those gains.

Sick of Seeing Cigarette Butts on the Ground, Cities Get Creative

It’s the most littered item in the U.S. -- but it might not be if more places adopted this approach.

Why Paratransit Doesn’t Have to Be So Expensive

Efficiently transporting people with limited mobility is a challenge. Some promising new approaches are being tried.

Will Scaling Back Solar Incentives Hurt Adoption?

Vermont, one of the nation’s most solar-friendly states, is about to find out.

Kicking the Taxpayers to Boost a Soccer Stadium

Los Angeles wants to use antipoverty funds for development around a private arena. Is that any way to help the poor?

What a Giant Dysfunctional Federal Agency Is Doing to America

The General Services Administration's decisions harm communities and waste a lot of taxpayers' money. Its mission and mindset need to change.

In Flint's Aftermath, Water Will Run by New Rules

The water crisis in Michigan highlighted major problems with not just federal regulations but the way localities enforce them. That's all likely to change soon.

Big Transit Plans Go Before Voters in November

The proposals could reshape several large U.S. cities for decades to come -- if they pass.