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.
The new legislation would require departments to diversify recruiting, create a fund for officers to pursue higher education and increase required classes on mental health, social services and other topics.
Boston Consulting Group, Common Sense Media and the Southern Education Foundation issued a report last month about the big picture of digital inequity in education, as well as potential solutions.
A glitch in Black Hawk County’s COVID vaccine software has prevented it from collecting demographic fields for race, ethnicity and geographic location. The data has also disappeared when providers input patient data.
The acquisition, probably the biggest gov tech deal ever, would bring together a giant of local government software with a giant of state software. Here's how the deal came together, and what it might mean for gov tech.
California has increased its immunization rate overall, but vaccine distribution still greatly varies between counties. Some have nearly one-third of their residents vaccinated, while others are at just 5 percent.
Assembly Member Chiu has proposed a bill that would prevent police agencies from buying certain types of military-style equipment, such as armored vehicles and drones, in hopes of cutting back the use of deadly force.
Variants of the original COVID-19 strain are making their way into the U.S. While the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines still seem to be effective, there are concerns if the virus continues to mutate.
Across the country, legislators are trying to gain more control over their states' courts. Many of the efforts are from Republicans aiming to diminish the role of judicial nominating commissions.
As strains on public resources grow, a new center at the National Conference of State Legislatures shares lessons from evidence-based policymaking to help states make the most of programs and budgets.
A move by Uber signals an opportunity to permanently end Prohibition-rooted restrictions that prevent many Americans from getting their drinks the same way they get their groceries and takeout meals.
While contact tracing existed before the coronavirus pandemic, the virus’ speed of transmission and likeliness of asymptomatic cases required contact tracing teams to revise their efforts.
For most places around the nation, getting a vaccine appointment requires you to register online. For some who don’t have computers, smartphones or aren’t tech-savvy, getting an appointment can be difficult.
While a video-appearance option is available for $23, some L.A. judges are requiring in-person hearings despite the risks. Several court employees have tested positive and three have died due to COVID-19.
With dining-out options already few and far between because of COVID, the recent snowstorm has only made things worse for residents and visitors to the Big Apple.
Over the past decade, states have preempted cities across a broad range of policy areas, including policing and health. If anything, the pandemic has only accelerated the trend.
A new scorecard ranks state progress toward making EVs the norm. With transportation accounting for 28 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, more needs to be done to meet Paris Accord emission targets.
Under Florida’s new proposal, social media companies would be penalized for favoring one political candidate over another and would require the companies to provide a 30-day notice and explanation of suspension.
Republican state Sen. Jeff Mullis has introduced legislation to ban ballot drop boxes, eliminate the state’s automatic voter registration and get rid of no-excuse absentee voting rules.
The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced how central technology is to modern life, but perhaps we are losing something.
In clamping down on access to social media platforms by conspiracy theorists, white supremacists and domestic terrorists, we need to protect our truly marginalized citizens' ability to speak truth to power.
The nation's governors signaled strong support for connecting citizens with investments in broadband expansion, more online services and virtual health-care delivery.
Cities and counties face budget shortfalls in the billions, leading to furloughs and hiring freezes. Absent federal aid, further cuts are certain.
Next week the U.S. Senate will begin its second impeachment trial of President Trump, who has already left office. A look back at what has happened in previous trials sheds some light on what might happen next week.
A survey of state and local government employees finds that the prolonged stresses of the pandemic are taking a toll. One in three have considered changing jobs.
A survey found Indigenous people are more willing than the general public to get the COVID-19 vaccine, as a responsibility to their community. An increase in community-based messaging could boost acceptance.
The first full legislative session is underway after a summer of racial justice protests, and state lawmakers across the country are proposing changes to racist laws in policing, housing and health-care access.
California’s governor has been threatened with a recall attempt and while the probability of it happening is low, his administration has made adjustments to the COVID regulations to lessen the crisis.
Collective bargaining agreements with police too often constrain department leadership and tilt the playing field away from accountability for officers' misconduct. Community trust is at stake.
The U.S. senators, each from different parties, have interesting positions that could provide them more clout in the narrowly-led Democratic 117th Congress.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has encouraged residents who are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine but an “ineffective” website and short supply have many frustrated with the progress.
