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 legislatures are moving to restrict what health departments can do. This ill-advised political interference can cost lives now and aggravate inequities in the post-pandemic era.
During the COVID-19 health crisis, states suspended limitations on telemedicine and scope of practice. A number are now making those changes permanent.
The lawsuit alleges that Washington state's county election system deters a strong Latino vote by splitting a predominantly Latino district into three. The redistricting won’t be confirmed until after the 2020 Census data is released.
In most states and nationwide, collections overcome early pandemic losses.
The CDC has updated its coronavirus guidelines to let vaccinated residents resume most activities, indoor and outdoor, without a mask. But some experts want the state to wait another month and see how numbers change.
States are announcing incentive programs to encourage residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19. What started as small benefits, free doughnuts and beer has grown into significant prizes, such as five chances to win $1 million.
The U.S. was once king of semiconductor manufacturing. Today, not so much. In an interview, Skanda Amarnath discusses what went wrong with our chip-making prowess and if government intervention is needed.
A report analyzes which states are the best for police careers based upon opportunity, training requirements and protections from job hazards. But a trouble-plagued year may spark deeper changes for the future.
Cities want modern light rail trains and vintage-style streetcars. Most are built by foreign firms. Few know they also are manufactured by an American company with deep roots in Rust-Belt western Pennsylvania.
Some gas stations have run out of fuel as the major fuel supplier, Colonial Pipeline, remains temporarily out of operation due to a cyberattack over the weekend. Officials have urged residents not to hoard fuel.
The Senate is considering a bill that would devote billions to create new tech hubs around the country. It faces an uncertain future, since picking winners makes other regions jealous.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced this week that the state will double its pandemic rent relief budget to $5.2 billion, using part of the unexpected $38 billion surplus. Details of who will be eligible have not yet been released.
Digital marriage licenses. Zoom ceremonies. Everyday citizens becoming wedding officiants. Utah County, Utah's online marriage license system became a big hit after COVID-19 shut down most offices that issue marriage licenses.
California could have as much as $16.7 billion more in revenue than what was predicted in January. Some of the surplus may be sent back to taxpayers in refunds, helping the governor’s chances in the recall election.
With Americans increasingly unhealthy because of the highly processed foods they eat, there’s more talk about the need for quality over quantity of food.
With Democratic voters already packed into a small number of districts, reducing voter turnout won't really lower the chances of Democrats winning – or help Republicans win.
Ridership dropped by 50 percent last year as stay-at-home orders and COVID-19 concerns kept many people off public transit. Even as the economy begins to reopen, ridership remains still down 45.5 percent.
The bill blocks certain topics in government diversity and inclusion training. Some worry it will discourage discussions on institutional racism and implicit bias.
Billions of dollars will be flowing to states and localities from opioid lawsuit settlements and court rulings. They need to set up a framework for dedicating the money to programs that save lives.
Arguments among themselves about concepts like “wokeness” and “cancel culture” are divisive and demonstrate racial insensitivity. A new generation of leaders should be allowed to define and use its own terms.
The U.S. Department of Transportation isn’t considered one of the federal government’s stronger agencies. But change and innovation has happened in recent years and could accelerate under new leadership and with more money.
Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a law that will put limitations on ballot dropoffs, establish ID requirements and restrict the number of absentee ballot drop boxes. Critics argue the law is just another voter suppression tactic.
Making it easier for professionals to practice across state lines is appealing, but if it isn't done right, it can endanger the public's health and safety.
Only two of Texas’ major companies have spoken publicly about the recent legislation that some are claiming is an act of voter suppression. But some organizations are uniting privately and plan a stronger public stance.
In the early years of the Republic, wives of politicians were often helpmates and could wield power despite their gender. Today, spouses challenge traditional gender norms in politics and have broad work portfolios.
In the wake of unproven claims about voting fraud, a record number of bills seek changes in election law. Some could enable legislatures to interfere with election administration.
The state will begin its biennial process of removing outdated voter registrations, starting first with 12,000 voters who have died. This is the first year Georgia will use data from other states to update its records.
Effective July 1, Florida bars, businesses, schools and government entities will not be allowed to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination, according to a new law that was signed by the governor on Monday.
Mayor Tishaura Jones wants to make change by defunding the police and jails and redirecting the funds to social workers, affordable housing, homeless aid and civil rights litigators.
The state’s disease information dashboard could have been a resource to identify at-risk communities and help better understand the virus’ spread, but a review has found that the data is incomplete, revealing inequities.
