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The Democrat-controlled Senate approved the budget with a 34-22 vote on Thursday evening, which will allocate an additional $100 million to higher ed, $85 million for homelessness and $200 million toward pension plans.
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla has proposed legislation that would provide individuals who worked as essential workers during the pandemic with a pathway for citizenship, though the bill does not provide any timeline for the plan.
The average hurricane season includes 14 named storms, based on a 30-year storm history. But the average 10 years ago was just 12 named storms. This year’s El Niño conditions may depress storm formation.
Jim Murphy, an attorney with the National Wildlife Federation, regarding the Supreme Court’s decision to expand the ability of farmers, homebuilders and other developers to dig up or fill wetlands near rivers, lakes and streams, finding that the government had overreached in limiting such activities. Environmentalist groups are concerned that the decision will put wetlands at risk of pollution while farmers and builders are eager to make full use of their land. (Associated Press — May 26, 2023)
Data exchange between states, hospitals and the CDC increased temporarily during the pandemic. The public health community wants this to mark the turning point in achieving a permanent national system.
Governments have more than a million job vacancies. Many of those positions need the kind of problem-solving that tech workers are likely to embrace and excel at.
While some have predicted economic returns of $150 million or more, economists predict that those numbers are inflated. Last time the Democratic National Convention came to Chicago, the city spent $60 million to prep for the event.
City officials are launching the “Heat Relief 4 L.A.” campaign to inform residents of the dangers of extreme heat, install more cooling centers and hydration stations and invest in cool pavement projects and trees.
Carisa Lopez, political director for the progressive Texas Freedom Network, regarding a bill approved by state lawmakers this week that would allow public schools to use campus safety money to hire chaplains to counsel students. Supporters of the bill argue that chaplains can provide critical counseling to help prevent school shootings by addressing student mental health, amongst other issues, while critics claim the measure violates student religious freedom and allows an entryway for evangelizing. (Associated Press — May 25, 2023)
A debt-ceiling breach would cost states in terms of revenue, pension investment losses and increased borrowing costs. Even a fix at this point will likely lead to cuts in federal grants.
In a legislative first, the Land of Enchantment has committed to an earth-bound scent.
The more than 1.6 million preventable deaths of Black Americans documented in a new study reflect racism and discrimination in housing, education, employment and health care. We have the money and the means to do something about it.
Under Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida has one of the highest rates of uninsured residents in the country and it continues to reject federal Obamacare money to insure more low-income residents.
State lawmakers are considering legislation that would reallocate hundreds of millions of dollars from K-12 and higher education into a new savings account and would cap future education budget increases to no more than 5 percent.
About one-fifth of U.S. workers are family caregivers and nearly one-third have quit a job because of their caregiving responsibilities. While remote work offers more flexibility, it’s no substitute for long-term care policy solutions.
Nebraska state Sen. Megan Hunt, regarding the lack of party support she received from the national Democrats prior to making national news for her monthslong filibustering to block legislation that would ban gender-affirming treatment for minors, which ended last week. Hunt left the Democratic party during the filibuster and registered as an Independent. (Semafor — May 19, 2023)
Revenues are slowing but lawmakers, at least in red states, have continued to enact major tax cuts this year.
Popularly referred to as “the eighth wonder of the world,” the bridge was, at the time of its construction, the largest suspension bridge in the world. Today, it connects New Yorkers with their past and each other.
Smart Growth America is restarting its annual reports on the best policies to promote safe and accessible streets. Howard County, Md., got a perfect 100.
Eight states this year have left and three more may soon leave the cooperative that seeks to maintain accurate voter registration rolls. Experts worry it's part of a larger trend away from nonpartisan election administration.
The bill would have given young offenders the opportunity to apply for parole after 30 years in prison, a full 10 years less than the law currently allows. State Sen. Drew Springer’s bill will not advance after he explained it wrong.
Momentum for a four-day workweek has been building and some companies have begun to implement the schedule. Employers and employees have found success with the model and may never go back to the traditional five days.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, regarding education and tax cut legislation that, he claims, will fail to address the statewide teacher shortage and will benefit the highest wage earners and ultimately empty state coffers. (Associated Press — May 23, 2023)
It’s a trend that started before the pandemic, and it isn’t slowing down, thanks in part to hefty price increases for housing.
Traditional approaches to the kinds of complex issues governments face stymie creative work. Houston has been making significant progress on reducing homelessness with a process of bridge building among stakeholders.
Income tax and sales tax revenue projections are slipping. State and local policymakers need to avoid fiscal giveaways and gimmicks, and they need to beware of potential federal aid clawbacks.
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