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Melissa Robinson, a Democratic Kansas City, Mo., Council member, regarding the growing local debate about who should have control over the city’s police department. As it is now, the city does not have control of the police department, the police chief or how the department spends its tax dollars because of a 1930s-era law that gives that power to a five-member board whose members are mostly appointed by the governor. The local debate is coming to a head this summer and residents will vote in November on a constitutional amendment that would give the Legislature more control over the police department. (Associated Press — July 15, 2022)
The number of states that are suing the United States Postal Service over its plan to...
Expansion of its Medicaid health-care program was just the latest milestone in the social safety net for 2.3 million undocumented immigrants that includes driver’s licenses, tax breaks and pandemic relief.
Local government meetings may be open to all, but too often little attention is paid to them. Equipping everyday people to document what goes on is a way to make the most of these opportunities for civic participation.
After the county’s voting history was derailed by a federal lawsuit over the council’s redistricting process, there is now an unprecedented number of candidates running for County Council seats.
The tech district known as Cortex promised that its training programs would add economic vitality to the region. But as a September deadline approaches, it’s unclear how much support the city’s aldermen will offer.
Commissioner Adrian Garcia has said that his precinct’s pilot program, which paid participants $15 an hour to clean public spaces, was a success and will expand countywide with a $2.1 million budget.
Tops employee Rosalie Bishop, commenting on the reopening of the supermarket in Buffalo, N.Y., two months after a white gunman killed 10 Black people in the store. (Associated Press — July 14, 2022)
The number of cities and towns across the nation that have installed the gunshot detection system....
Shooters have targeted members of particular groups, including Black, Hispanic and gay people. A few may have been motivated by politics as well as bigotry.
New funding is providing unparalleled opportunities to invest in climate resilience by building natural infrastructure to protect vulnerable communities.
The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 since 2009. In the absence of action from Congress and state legislatures, local governments are adding capacity to their programs to support workers.
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It empowers state and local governments, as well as individuals, harmed by gun violence to sue gun manufacturers, distributors and dealers for the violation of new state standards. The law goes into effect July 2023.
Around the world, cities have hired “night mayors” to advocate for and grow the nightlife scene while ensuring safety. Nightlife advocates see an opportunity as the city tries to revitalize its downtown after the effects of COVID-19.
An estimated 7,265 pedestrians died last year, which averages out to 18 pedestrian deaths every day, according to a new study by Smart Growth America; an increase of 62 percent since 2009.
GLAAD’s president and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, regarding a new report that found that LGBTQ social media users don’t feel that the platforms are welcoming or a safe place for them. GLAAD’s report graded Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok on their measures to protect LBGTQ users; all platforms received a failing grade. (NPR — July 13, 2022)
The proportion of small business owners who are worried that the U.S. will enter...
A new law requires the state’s pension system to divest from fossil fuel companies, but making that happen while considering a constitutional requirement to pension members will complicate the process.
It’s an opportunity for governments to dramatically improve access to critical services, guiding people step by step through what too often is an unnecessarily arduous process.
The state has loose gun laws with no permit required to carry concealed weapons and relatively modest calls for change are met with harsh pushback. But it’s nothing new; Missouri politics have been replete with firearms for years.
Gov. Ned Lamont announced that six more express trains would be added to the New Haven line and seven new weekday trains to the Waterbury branch. The additions come as $5 billion in federal infrastructure funds are headed to the state.
County Executive Ryan McMahon has suggested that the surplus, which has grown to nearly three times the normal reserve, be used to double the New York county’s rainy day fund. But the plan would leave little for spending elsewhere.
Jill Biden’s spokesperson, Michael LaRosa, regarding the first lady’s comment that the Latino community was as unique as San Antonio breakfast tacos while addressing the annual conference of UnidosUS. Her comment immediately received pushback. (Associated Press — July 12, 2022)
The minimum amount that the Democratic National Committee is spending on a digital ad campaign warning voters that...
New York City’s newest mayor has made several key moves to speed up bus service and open lanes to more bicycles. But transit advocates are asking for bolder policies while reckless driving becomes a serious problem.
Purchasing cyber defenses, training and insurance are budgeting decisions — and financial officers need number-driven risk models that show them how far each investment may go toward reducing risks of financial losses from cyber incidents.
America’s third-largest city has a plenitude of problems. But it has great advantages as well.
The state’s plan to toll nine bridges across the state to help fund their replacement and maintenance has collapsed amid court rulings and negotiations between Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican lawmakers.
Unpaid gas and electric bills piled up during the coronavirus pandemic with nearly one in every six households and thousands of small businesses falling behind in payments. Now state officials are looking for a way to pay the money owed.
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