Trends
Massachusetts is showing the way by going to the end users of the products and services governments buy. It’s good for suppliers as well, and produces better results for everyone.
The National Guard is ready to help states on Election Day by sorting ballots, directing traffic or bolstering cybersecurity, but only Kentucky and Washington have asked for support so far.
Too many Americans are losing health insurance coverage and gaining debt as a consequence. State legislators have put forward a variety of proposals to help citizens stay covered during a health emergency.
The state Legislature gave final approval to a bill that allows election clerks to begin processing absentee ballots before Election Day and now it is headed to Gov. Whitmer’s desk.
When the state Legislature restarts in January, it will have to deal with mask requirements, business closures and a projected deficit for 2021-2022 that could match that of the Great Recession’s $27 billion shortfall.
Legislation has been proposed that would implement nearly a dozen changes to state laws regarding protests, including charging protesters with a third degree felony if they obstruct traffic during an unpermitted protest.
Remote learning and reduced, or no, in-person instruction can keep working parents off the job. A number of recent bills attempt to fill the child-care gap.
As absentee ballot numbers increase and laws prohibit the early opening and processing of mail-in ballots, election officials are suggesting it could take up to a week after Election Day to reveal the winners.
During a recent National Telecommunications and Information Administration webinar, experts dissected the economic potential of and roadblocks to precision agriculture technology in rural America.
Legislators are talking with researchers in policing policy to develop new ideas, but finding answers on what to do is difficult because there is little data available. One initiative, decertification, is quite rare.
Federal officials have given approval for Texas Central Railroad’s planned high-speed rail line that will run from Houston to Dallas. But many are opposed to the bullet train as analysis predicts that it could displace 235 homes.
The Detroit Board of Police Commissioners has passed a motion that aims to increase oversight of the department’s involvement in the 1033 Program. The goal: set boundaries because residents’ lives are at stake.
Gov. Newsom wants to increase the state’s climate change fight, which could mean increased costs for Californians. But, it’s unclear if they are willing to pay while California struggles with economic recovery.
The state will launch its pilot program for contact tracing to 30,000 participants and, if it proves to be effective, will make it widely available by December or early 2021. The system will be voluntary and anonymous.
A handful of recent protests have involved enough violence and property destruction for some to claim they are riots. Legislators have proposed penalties and protections for those who might be affected by future incidents.
Lawmakers are considering making election law changes to anticipate the increased number of absentee ballots. Some of the changes would allow early ballot processing and expanded polling place options.
By 2050, Houston could save 148 lives and reduce health costs by $1.7 billion annually if the city switched to an all-electric transit system, according to a new report. Although a petrochemical hub, some believe the city can go green.
Local governments across New York are working to reopen schools, enforce COVID regulations and implement statewide mandates while wrestling with massive budget holes. Many worry it will just get worse.
Pretextual stops allow police to stop motorists for a minor violation but research shows these stops disproportionately affect Black drivers. Some believe that ending ‘pretext’ stops will help diminish police brutality.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania would make the refusal to wear a mask a crime. It’s a sign that consensus regarding the value of mask wearing has grown, but states are still unsure on both guidelines and penalties.
The city has seen a 53 percent increase in shootings in recent months. Officials hope to curb the rise with gunshot surveillance technology. However, studies have not shown a decrease in crime rates after the tech was implemented.
The bullet train project was already downsized last year after the state realized it couldn’t afford the full route, but COVID-19 has further diminished financial resources. The rail authority is reassessing the project.
Texas, the nation’s top oil-producer, is entering into the renewable energy world as Tesla begins construction of its Austin-based gigafactory. But Houston, which is dependent on oil companies, isn’t so welcoming.
Despite skepticism from scientists and health officials, the state is beginning preparations for a COVID-19 vaccine distribution as recommended by the CDC. But there are many steps before the state is ready.
The Indianapolis subscription service, Motor Drive, allows users to drive Teslas, Nissan Leafs or Chevy Bolts for as long as they want, to show the benefits of driving electric vehicles by making them more accessible.
Lawmakers have introduced dozens of shield bills that limit COVID-related liability for businesses, schools and caregivers, as the pandemic has sown divisiveness and rancor, creating a fertile ground for lawsuits.
Officials were nervous that the pandemic would discourage citizens from volunteering to help voting centers on Election Day, but they have been happily surprised by a remarkable response.
The legislation would expedite the state’s sustainable transit projects by cutting down on driving and reducing carbon emissions while providing a boost to struggling transit authorities. It is headed to Gov. Newsom’s desk.
The Secretary of State is encouraging voters to use drop boxes for the upcoming presidential election instead of sending ballots by mail, as concerns grow that the Postal Service’s new changes will impede reliability.
With the highest incarceration rate in the developed world, America’s overcrowded prisons have become hotbeds for COVID-19. Now, the virus has accelerated efforts already underway by lawmakers to reform prison policies.
Harris County will have more than 100 places to cast ballots, including one drive-through and one 24-hour voting center. There will also be an extra week of early voting and 12,000 new election workers.
