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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.

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.

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.

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.

SXSW 2019: A Governor and a Mayor Discuss the Future of Data

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and former Indianapolis Mayor Steven Goldsmith talk about how tech can change the public sector.

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.

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.

As Hate Speech Pervades Politics, Many Politicians Escape Consequence

After making racist, anti-Semitic or homophobic comments, elected officials often stay in office, either by apologizing or attacking their opponents. But public servants may have a harder time keeping their jobs.

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.

COMMENTARY

The Growing Importance of the Arts to Rural America

Cultural activities are already contributing billions of dollars to struggling economies. Government has an important role in nurturing this creativity.

COMMENTARY

The Key to Nebraska's Water Conservation Success

Other places should emulate the state's model.

COMMENTARY

A Vision for Getting Mental Health Care Right

There's a lot that state policymakers could do to move us toward treating it the same as physical health.

NEWS IN NUMBERS

31%

Cut to the EPA's budget in President Trump's 2020 proposal. His budget also proposes major cuts for Medicaid, food stamps, cash welfare, public housing, transportation, clean energy and economic development.

MORE DIGITS

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.

MOST READ

  1. 1

    America Has a Sewage Problem
  2. 2

    Inside Trump's Budget: 6 Things State and Local Governments Should Know
  3. 3

    Where 'Bring Your Baby to Work Day' Can Be Every Day
  4. 4

    North Dakota's Massive Effort to Avoid Floods
  5. 5

    National Emergency Jeopardizes $6 Billion in Funding for States
  6. 6

    Why Some Government Managers Make Less Than Their Employees
  7. 7

    Why We Need to Rethink Misdemeanor Justice
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.

WHO SAID THAT?

“These crises are happening across the U.S., but nobody has investigated it.”

MORE QUOTES

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.

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.

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

New research shows that it's not rare for companies to lower their job promises after accepting tax incentives from the government.

• Some Lawmakers Seek Multistate Ban on Corporate Tax Breaks

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.

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

Years before the Trump administration's family planning changes, the state of Texas cut funding from reproductive health clinics. Low-income women felt the impact the most.

• With Title X Funding at Stake, States Join the Legal Battle

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.

Opioid Crisis and Syphilis Outbreaks Complicate Trump's HIV Plan

Unless the government gets both issues under control, public health experts say President Trump will never realize his goal of eradicating HIV.

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.