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In addition to increasing the minimum age for police officers from 18 to 21, the new law will also work to establish a college education requirement, involving courses in psychology, ethnic studies, law and others.
Approximately 37 percent of state residents live in a region that has a shortage of mental health providers; only 12 percent live in an area where they could expect their mental health needs to be met.
Less than 60 percent of the state’s 1,781 townships have requested their share of the American Rescue Plan Act funds. Treasury Department officials are urging local governments to apply for funds before the Oct. 4 deadline.
Thousands of Arizonans fell victim to identity theft during the pandemic and had their relied-upon jobless payments denied or delayed. Now the state will modernize and upgrade the system’s security to prevent future fraud.
Anchorage, Alaska, Mayor Dave Bronson, apologizing for his comments that supported some city residents wearing yellow Stars of David on their chest to argue that a citywide mask mandate was comparable to the oppression of the Jewish people in Nazi Germany. (Associated Press — October 1, 2021)
The number of midwestern governors who are collaborating to develop a charging network for electric vehicles. Governors of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin have all signed onto the bipartisan plan, called the Regional Electric Vehicle (REV) Midwest Coalition.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued a notice to lawmakers that they cannot use the state budget to restrict the funds of local health departments that institute local mask mandates; doing so would violate the state constitution.
A new law allows single-family homes to be transformed into a property with up to four homes, which could result in much denser neighborhoods. Many San Diego residents worry this will drastically change suburbs.
The proposal could draw up to 200 high-wage remote workers to the area over the next two years by offering $10,000 in moving allowances. The program is based on one that Tusla and other cities have enacted.
The increase is the first in a series that will eventually raise the state’s wage to $15 an hour. The wage raise is the first in the country to be approved by ballot measure, which was passed by 61 percent of voters.
Peter Pantuso, president of the American Bus Association, commenting on how the nation’s intercity bus systems, unlike air, rail and public transit, did not receive any direct aid in either the Trump-era CARES Act or the Biden-era American Rescue Plan Act. (Governing — September 29, 2021)
The proportion of Americans who approve of Biden’s requirement that most workers get the COVID-19 vaccine or undergo regular testing. Approval is mostly split down party lines — 77 percent of Democrats approve of the mandate while 62 percent of Republicans disapprove.
Republican attorneys general have already filed more than a dozen joint lawsuits against the Biden administration. All presidents should expect to be challenged by AGs from the other party.
Its ridership is twice the size of Amtrak, yet there is little in the way of public support to help bus travel get through COVID. As the once popular mode of transit continues to decline, some states are taking notice.
As state and local debt continues to rise, governments may be forced to raise taxes or cut spending to control their budgets. New York has the most per capita government debt, largely due to school district debts.
Election officials are stretched thin as the state prepares to implement early in-person voting with new voting technology while also experiencing a widespread election worker shortage.
The plan would train officers how to use less violent tactics when responding to mass protests and implement a new team that would monitor social media. But the community-created plan doesn’t please everyone.
Connecticut’s Southeast Area Transit District bus drivers are calling for improved workplace safety protections amid a rise in assaults against bus operators during the coronavirus pandemic.
Evan Feinberg, executive director of the Koch family-affiliated Stand Together Foundation, regarding their opposition to government bans on teaching critical race theory, despite not believing in the teachings. (Associated Press — September 29, 2021)
The proportion of unvaccinated Americans who argue that booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine show they are not working as well as promised.
A survey of transit riders illustrates some of their concerns around the cleanliness of vehicles, on-time performance and the technology that seeks to improve engagement and the overall experience.
Gov. David Ige cautioned that a new round of restrictions could be more severe if the number of coronavirus cases surges again. The state has a vaccinated rate of 67.7 percent, but the delta variant has increased risk.
NJ Transit and state and local officials unveiled an experimental bus stop in Cherry Hill that has high-intensity LED lighting and a two-port USB charging outlet that is solar-powered. The station cost $11,900.
The state has already spent $200 million over its emergency fund budget for the entire fiscal year that started in July. While some of the bill will be paid by state agencies, taxpayer dollars will also be used.
Law enforcement agencies in Skagit County, Wash., are purchasing and installing body cameras on their officers to adhere to a law that goes into effect in the new year. Many see the tech as beneficial, despite the costs.
Dev Wakeley, a policy analyst with Alabama Arise, regarding the state’s consideration of using $400 million in pandemic relief funds to build new prisons. Some argue that while it may be legal, building prisons with American Rescue Plan Act funds was not how Congress intended the money be spent. (Associated Press — September 26, 2021)
The date on which the United States will reach its debt ceiling if Congress does not act immediately to change the trajectory, according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
Edward Glaeser got a lot of attention with his argument that cities succeed in a deregulated environment. His new book embraces a broader role for government.
With billions in grants about to start flowing from Washington, they will need comprehensive, timely information on what’s available. They shouldn’t have to wait for the feds to supply it.
Months of bipartisan talks in Congress aimed at reaching consensus over policing reforms have ended with no agreement. Two policing scholars argue that federal efforts are better placed focusing on supporting local measures.
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