State and Local Politics and Policy
It’s especially hard to get low-income Americans living in multifamily buildings across the digital divide. But states and nonprofits are finding ways to do it.
Some states have stopped or decreased their updating of public reporting on the latest COVID-19 information despite the fact that the delta variant is causing an extreme spike in hospitalizations and deaths.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has reopened conversations about the state’s marijuana cultivation, distribution and sales program that was created in March, saying that regulating and starting the program will be a priority.
Several state lawmakers have voiced their support for the voting rights bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week. But the bill must still pass the Senate and remains highly partisan.
A new report finds that the wear and tear on our highway system has greater costs than were previously understood, implying a need for more transportation infrastructure investment, especially for road maintenance.
China’s decision to end imports of recyclable materials created huge challenges and forced a hard look at recycling in the U.S. New legislation aims to increase private-sector responsibility for waste reduction and recovery.
They anchored their communities, and Black teachers taught their students that everyone could learn and succeed. We should keep these strengths in mind as we try to re-integrate public schools today.
A comprehensive view of the states’ marijuana laws regarding medical use, workplace accommodations and driving under the influence. Today, 36 states and the District of Columbia allow medical use of marijuana.
The Maryland county has partnered with the public school system and the Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland to provide free public transportation to school, afterschool programs and jobs.
Informed by social media analysis and surveys, San Jose built a corps of trusted local messengers to boost vaccination rates in hard-to-reach communities.
Ken Paxton’s office recently released a report claiming to clear him of bribery and misuse of power allegations. The report, which has no author and is unsigned, instead places blame on the U.S. attorney, a private lawyer and the staffers that accused Paxton.
A federal judge has proposed that the city of Portland, Ore., and the U.S. Department of Justice use a court-appointed monitor to oversee their nine-year-old settlement on police reform.
Lots of them are named for slaveholders, British royalty and even fictional characters. It’s time we honored some of the heroes of the struggles for freedom and equal rights.
As the state’s coronavirus cases continue to rise, officials hope that the approval from the Food and Drug Administration will convince more residents to get vaccinated. The state saw an all-time single-day high of 893 cases on Sunday.
The state’s Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the new law banning citizen-led ballot initiatives infringed on the public’s right to enact laws outside of the state Legislature. The new law is now void.
A Los Angeles Fire Department Captain filmed a searing critique of the city council’s vote last week to require city employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by early October. Many firefighters oppose the mandate.
Republicans can’t wait to vote out California’s governor. Democrats have been less engaged, which points to potential problems for the party in next year’s midterms.
Now that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given its full approval to the Pfizer vaccine for Americans 16 years and older, vaccine rates could increase with public confidence and employer mandates.
With nine months left until the election, there are only two major political figures in the running for Los Angeles mayor. Some residents are displeased by the lack of diversity and others want fewer ties to city hall.
What’s behind distrust of public health advice? Harvard's Rima Rudd, a founder of the field of health literacy, explains the ways that health messaging can go wrong.
Men give more money than women to candidates in high-level statewide elections. Money can equal political influence, so that may lead candidates to be less interested in women’s issues once elected.
As the state's drought worsens, there are few, if any, protections in place for California’s depleted groundwater. The new law gave local agencies at least 26 years — until 2040 — to stop the impacts of over-pumping.
The highly transmissible delta variant now accounts for 98 percent of all COVID-19 cases in the U.S., and in some rare cases even those who are fully vaccinated are contracting the strain.
Election workers were the targets of harassment, threats and intimidation during the 2020 elections. Proposed legislation would make it illegal to harass election workers and would punish offenders with jail time, a fine or both.
Increased bus and train frequency coupled with fare cuts will take place next month in a bold move by the transit system to woo back old riders and attract new ones. It could be a model for other transit systems.
Health departments are battling not only rising COVID-19 caseloads but restrictions, complaints and second-guessing from politicians and the public.
A new report claims the city has failed to address longstanding practices of excessive force and racial discrimination. The police department says the report is an ‘attack’ and contains misinformation.
The pandemic tested government’s ability to deliver services with mixed results. Now, the Biden administration wants to give more benefits and rebuild infrastructure. Will government succeed and regain public trust?
The state has instituted a new set of tenant eviction protections that will extend through next summer. Additionally, the state’s Rental Relief Program still has over $700 million for potential renters in need.
Since the beginning of this year, six people have died in jail custody and the county’s sheriff’s office has only publicly announced one of the fatalities. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 10 people have died.
As the nation’s second largest school district returns to in-person classes, officials are enforcing their district-wide testing plan that will cost $350 million, involve 1,000 health-care staff and two airplane trips every day.
