Search

After GAO Abortion Report, States Dispute Findings and Defend Violations

The report found 14 states to be in violation of federal Medicaid law as it pertains to abortion coverage.

• For a Glimpse Into Trump's New Era of Title X, Look at Texas

Mortgage No More: Baby Boomers Who Rent Are On the Rise

In the past decade, there was a 43 percent increase in renters over the age of 60. The trend brings with it new challenges -- and benefits -- for cities.

Do Corporate Tax Incentives Work? 20 States, and Most Cities, Don't Know.

Washington state, which gave Boeing $1 billion over the past four years, has a well-established system to evaluate tax deals. Many governments don't.

• Corporate Tax Deals May Be Public, But What Happens Next Is Often Secret

As China Builds U.S. Transit Cars, Congress Seeks to Ban Them

The state-owned China Railway Rolling Stock Corp is building rail cars for some of America's biggest cities, prompting cybersecurity concerns and bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate.

Suburban Atlanta Voters Block Transit Expansion

This marks the third time Gwinnett County has rejected a plan to expand the city's public transit. But advocates hope the defeat is only temporary.

Anti-vaccine protesters hold signs in front of a government building.

Vaccine Bills Make a Comeback Amid Measles Outbreak

As once-eradicated diseases return, more and more states are debating legislation that would make it harder, or easier, for parents to not vaccinate their kids.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom at a podium.

Why California Is Suing Its Own Cities

In one of his first moves as governor, Gavin Newsom is taking some cities to court for failing to address the affordable housing crisis.

A House staffer holding a copy of President Trump's budget request for fiscal year 2020.

Inside Trump's Budget: 6 Things State and Local Governments Should Know

The president's 2020 proposal would slash domestic spending by nearly 10 percent and increase defense spending by 5 percent.

America Has a Sewage Problem

Faulty septic systems are making pollution and health problems worse in much of the country. What we don’t know is how much worse.

COMMENTARY

Why I'm Optimistic About America's Economic Outlook

Another recession is in the forecast. This time, states seem ready to weather it.

COMMENTARY

As Students' Debt Mounts, a New Method of Repayment Emerges

“Income share agreements” could lower loan payments and the financial risks of paying for college.

COMMENTARY

The Wrong — and Right — Way to Recycle

Single-stream systems have produced stagnating collection rates and soaring costs. Localities need to go back to the dual-stream past and invest in the future.

NEWS IN NUMBERS

20

States that don't regularly track and evaluate tax incentives to see if the businesses that receive them are holding up their end of the deals.

MORE DIGITS

North Dakota's Massive Effort to Avoid Floods

Fargo, North Dakota’s most populous city, faces the threat of flooding nearly every spring. It’s taken a lot of creativity and cooperation to agree on a solution.

MOST READ

  1. 1

    Inside Trump's Budget: 6 Things State and Local Governments Should Know
  2. 2

    As China Builds U.S. Transit Cars, Congress Seeks to Ban Them
  3. 3

    Do Corporate Tax Incentives Work? 20 States, and Most Cities, Don't Know.
  4. 4

    The Growing Importance of the Arts to Rural America
  5. 5

    Mortgage No More: Baby Boomers Who Rent Are On the Rise
  6. 6

    The Biggest Issues for States to Watch in 2019
  7. 7

    National Emergency Jeopardizes $6 Billion in Funding for States
Woman holds her baby while working in office.

Where 'Bring Your Baby to Work Day' Can Be Every Day

A growing number of state agencies -- mostly in places with no paid family leave -- are letting public employees bring their infants to the office.

WHO SAID THAT?

“It keeps me up at night when I realize that there could be innocent people in our prisons and on death row.”

MORE QUOTES

After Years of New Voting Restrictions, Momentum Swings the Other Way

Some states are still purging voter rolls and requiring IDs. But most are now looking to expand access to the ballot box.

What Linda Darling-Hammond's Appointment Means for Education

Democrats once fought to keep her from becoming Obama's education secretary. Now she's set to lead California's State Board of Education, where she could influence the national party's education stances.

Building Booms and Busts: Where Housing Construction Is Up, and Where It's Slowing Down

In many cities, new homes are popping up twice as fast as normal.

Despite Teachers' Strike Success, Their Schools Are Still Funded Less Than a Decade Ago

For the first time since the Great Recession, most states have restored their education cuts. But the places where protests have erupted still have a long way to go.

black man in holding a paycheck

Why Some Government Managers Make Less Than Their Employees

This form of pay inequity, referred to as salary inversion, is making it difficult to fill supervisor positions in the public sector.

For More Citizen Engagement, One Town Turns to Video Calls

A Miami suburb might be the first in the nation to let residents participate in -- not just watch -- public meetings from anywhere they have an internet connection.

Senate Bill Would Stop States From Punishing People at Work for Missed Student Loans

Some states can revoke your job license if you fall behind. Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Republican Sen. Marco Rubio introduced legislation that would outlaw that practice.

Will Statewide Rent Control Catch On Beyond Oregon?

It's the first in the nation to pass a rent control law that covers tenants across an entire state.

The Federal Government Is Overhauling Foster Care. States Aren't Ready.

Everyone agrees that America’s foster care system needs reform. But some worry the new law may do more harm than good.