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Alderman Anthony Beale. He was complaining about Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget, which increases spending from last year and includes accounting gimmicks to avoid a property tax increase. Beale was among a group of 15 aldermen (there are a total of 50 on the board) who called on the mayor to cut spending by an additional $824 million. (The Center Square – Dec. 16, 2024)
Trump promises to seek stiffer sentences, including the death penalty. But there’s still appetite in Congress for policies designed to reduce incarceration.
The taming of inflation was the main financial story. Bond and capital markets were cooperative, even if voters upset about property taxes were not. Governors, mayors, finance directors and pension pros may soon look back wistfully at 2024’s business-as-usual atmosphere.
Mayor Cherelle Parker has ordered city workers to show up at the office five days a week, leading more companies to follow suit. But hybrid work remains a new normal in many places.
For the first time in a decade, the state is seeing a sustained decline, mirroring national trends. After nine months of decreases, drug deaths in the state are down 17 percent this year.
As in much of the country, more kids are missing school in Baltimore, leading both city and state officials to propose new policies and early interventions.
After being suspended by Florida’s governor in 2023, Orlando-area prosecutor Monique Worrell won reelection in November. But DeSantis’ replacement said he might not help her return.
Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova, which makes gas turbines. He exalted about new orders in a recent earnings call with investors. The incoming Trump administration is expected to push for increased energy production. Along with growing demand for power from data centers, that’s setting the stage for industry growth. (Heatmap – Dec. 10, 2024)
Many new laws passed by California contain requirements for progress reports. This year, agencies have sent in such reports only 16 percent of the time.
Iowa has helped prompt other states to adopt flat income tax rates. To bring down property taxes, the state has to address local government spending.
Texas state Rep. Armando Martinez has been arguing for years that a law school would help the Rio Grande Valley economy and reduce brain drain. Local colleges are finally working on a plan.
The Court's decision overturning the Chevron doctrine could affect everything from fishing rules to transgender rights under Trump. It could also hamper red states.
Former Michigan House Speaker Craig DeRoche. He is now the president of the conservative Family Policy Alliance and was summarizing a message Republican legislators and governors are sending to members of the incoming Trump administration — namely, that they are not waiting for Donald Trump to take office to advance more conservative agendas on issues such as gun owners’ rights, abortion, illegal immigration and requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public schools. (Washington Post - Dec. 13, 2024)
The contest was decided by 48 votes, but about 60 residents were given ballots for the wrong district. A judge may order a new election.
A bill would allow more public employees to shift out of 401(k)-style plans into more traditional pensions, which could help with recruitment. But critics say costs are a reason the state has moved away from such plans for decades.
State and local governments will be forced to return pandemic relief funds if they aren’t properly obligated by the end of December.
In a pivotal year, governments enacted AI laws, strengthened defenses, bridged the broadband gap, and prioritized accessible, user-friendly digital services. As 2025 nears, most jurisdictions still lack fully mature AI frameworks.
A measure that provided some hurricane relief was a vehicle for taking power away from executive offices that will be controlled by Democrats next year. The GOP’s legislative supermajority overrode a veto from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.
Prosecutors allege that Mike Madigan, the former Democratic speaker, and associates directed companies to provide campaign contributions and no-show jobs to allies. The defense will begin its presentation at trial next week.
President-elect Donald Trump’s approval rating, according to a survey by Morning Consult. His unfavorability rating is 47 percent, giving him a net approval of 3. While that may not sound high, it’s the best number Trump has registered in this particular poll since April 2017, near the start of his first term.
American Battlefield Trust President David Duncan. He’s one of the military history buffs waging a legal fight to protect Civil War battlefield sites in Northern Virginia from data center development. One of the world's largest is planned to cover 2,000 acres next to Manassas National Battlefield Park. Preservationists say a report to Virginia lawmakers that found data center projects don't pose any more of a risk to historic sites than other types of large-scale development minimizes their threat. (Axios – Dec. 12, 2024)
When a sports team loses, its fans don't hang around for the postgame show.
Federal law prohibits companies from charging vets for help in filling out disability claims, but there’s no penalty. Maine, New Jersey and New York have passed laws to close this loophole, with more expected to follow.
School vouchers, border enforcement and energy infrastructure are on the GOP agenda in Texas. A fight for speaker of the House could determine its prospects.
St. Louis voters rejected a $60 million proposal for a new soccer stadium, but the city got one anyway. Here’s how it did that with minimal public funding.
Incoming GOP Gov. Mike Kehoe campaigned on a pledge to eliminate personal income taxes. Several bills would cut the income tax to 4 percent while imposing sales taxes on services.
If legislators approve the request, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission would also get $100 million from Washington to address huge Medicaid and food stamp application delays.
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