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If Congress reduces matching funds for the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, many states would suddenly face $2 billion shortfalls apiece.
Downsizing the Department of Education won’t fix what's wrong with our schools. We should mobilize state and local leaders to tackle its problems. Nobody is better qualified to lead such an effort than Lamar Alexander.
The increase in firearm deaths among children and teens between 2019 and 2023. Firearms have been the leading cause of deaths for American youth for three years running, followed by vehicle accidents. Black children were more than eight times as likely to die due to weapons than white kids; firearms have been the leading cause of death for Black youth since 2015.
Gwinnett County, Ga., resident Lisa Hall. Her husband died two years ago after she couldn’t get through to 911 operators for more than five minutes, emblematic of problems with 911 delays in the Atlanta area. Many agencies have since made significant improvements. Atlanta and Gwinnett and Fulton counties have all made substantial strides, with nearly all emergency calls now answered within 20 seconds. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
With the federal law eroded by court decisions, about a half-dozen states want to enshrine protections for non-white voters. But it’s a tough sell even in Democratic states.
The Legislature once gave Gov. Ron DeSantis nearly everything he wanted, but now are pushing back in areas such as immigration and spending.
A record amount of electricity came from renewable sources in 2024, with both red and blue states leading the way.
Most students in Delano, Calif., are low-income and many are English learners. A slew of support programs has raised test scores and sent them on paths to scholarships and top universities.
The two legislative chambers have passed a bill that would ban diversity efforts and faculty strikes. Critics say the bill's limits on discussions about “controversial beliefs” will stifle academic freedom.
It’s not just about the services government employees provide to residents of their states and communities. There are long-term costs for taxpayers and the economy.
The state’s four largest counties would not receive funding for three years. Its sponsor says rural areas need more help, but business groups point out those counties are key to Iowa’s economy.
The amount of funding the Trump administration has stripped from the University of Pennsylvania for allowing Lia Thomas, a transgender athlete, to compete on its women’s swimming team. The White House made an announcement on social media, but Penn said it has received no official notice, pointing out that it has followed NCAA guidelines.
Kansas state Rep. Susan Humphries. The Republican lawmaker from Wichita was speaking in favor of a proposal, placed by legislators on the ballot next year, to change the state’s method of selecting judges from gubernatorial appointment to direct elections. Democratic governors have appointed a majority of current justices. Gov. Laura Kelly and other Democrats say judicial elections are a recipe for dark money and more partisanship. (New York Times — March 20, 2025)
Criminal justice experts say understaffing and trauma can contribute to prison violence. Mental health support and a sense of community may help.
Local governments and manufacturers need to embrace standardized firefighting equipment. Otherwise, it’s going to cost too much and isn’t going to be available when we need it.
The House and Senate passed competing bills that would end the income tax and increase gas taxes. Many differences must still be reconciled to make one version into law.
The number of employees left at the National Center for Education Statistics. The center, part of the federal Department of Education, used to have 100 employees but was among the hardest hit by last week’s employee purge. NCES administers the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, which is also known as the Nation’s Report Card. Only one of the three left is a testing expert and none of them works directly with NAEP.
Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis. He recently signed a law requiring localities to comply with federal immigration efforts and said that the “days of inaction are over.” Florida’s governor has the ability to remove elected local officials from office. State Attorney General James Uthmeier warned members of the Fort Myers City Council that their decision not to enroll in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement program could lead to penalties, including removal from office. (Tampa Bay Times)
A new forecast anticipates the state seeing nearly $1 billion less in revenue than projected as recently as November, bringing the expected four-year shortfall to $15 billion.
The state is using roadside tests to check whether drivers have used drugs, similar to tests for alcohol. A pilot program found that 87 percent of tested drivers had used cannabis or illegal drugs.
Providing parents with tax credits has mostly been a Democratic priority but the idea has gained traction in Ohio, Indiana and other Republican-led states.
States are looking for alternate ways to fund transportation infrastructure as gas tax revenues dwindle. Despite years of study, only a few have adopted road user charges.
Americans believe that their local governments spend money more wisely than their state and federal counterparts. But forcing localities to do more with less isn’t a recipe for government efficiency.
HUD has warned local housing authorities that a $5 billion fund for emergency rental assistance is nearly out of cash, putting 60,000 households at risk of eviction.
A suite of changes passed by the legislature toughen signature requirements and raise the vote threshold for changing the state constitution to 60 percent.
The typical number of laying hens at a Canadian poultry farm. By contrast, many farms in the U.S. have more than 1 million. Putting so many chickens in one basket, so to speak, is one reason why avian flu has been a bigger problem in the U.S. than in Canada, which is not seeing the same sort of price spikes for eggs.
John Roberts. The U.S. Supreme Court’s chief justice issued a rare response to a statement from President Donald Trump, who called for lawmakers to impeach “crooked” judges who lacked the sort of political mandate Trump won in November. Articles of impeachment were filed Tuesday in the House against U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who ruled Saturday the administration could not deport alleged Venezuelan gang members. ( POLITICO — Feb. 16, 2025)
Trust in local government has declined in recent years. Liberty Lake, Wash., has found ways to assure residents their voices will be heard.
Cutting this unloved levy has again become a flashpoint in some states, once more raising difficult issues of fairness. Here’s what we can learn from decades of tax-limitation laws.
Above all, staff needs support. And there are techniques for keeping violence in check. Everybody — officers, inmates and communities — benefits.
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