News in Numbers
The number of cities that received "Fs" for their transparency efforts, according to criteria created and measured by U.S. Public Interest Research Group. The study is the first to assess local government transparency.
The number of localities that have sought bankruptcy protection over the past five years. View totals and municipal bankruptcy laws for each state.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has proposed the state enact its first sales tax on clothing -- but only items that cost more than $100.
The portion of students in the United States who graduated from high school on time in 2010 -- the highest rate since 1976.
The portion of public schools set to close in the District of Columbia, in response to low enrollment and growing competition from charter schools. Former D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee already closed 23 schools in 2008.
The number of states that don't have laws protecting "lifestyle discrimination" in the workplace; some of them have state or local government bans on hiring public employees who use tobacco products.
The last time public school bus drivers went on strike in New York City. The most recent strike, which began yesterday, is over a job security clause that workers want put back in their contract.
The number of states plus the District of Columbia where drug busts were traced to medical marijuana purchases in Colorado, according to the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy.
The amount in federal grants given to states last year -- even though $125 million was appropriated -- so they could create databases of people who are legally barred from buying guns, including the mentally ill. More than half the states have yet to provide mental health records for gun background checks.
The maximum number of bills that representatives in the Tennessee House are now allowed to introduce in one year.
The number of confirmed cases of the flu in Boston -- up from just 70 last year, prompting the city to declare a public health emergency.
The amount of time that states have to comply with the 2005 REAL ID Act. This is the fourth extension the federal government has given states -- only 13 of which are currently in compliance.
The amount of time after oil and gas drilling occurs that companies in Colorado must test the area's groundwater. Two other states require drilling companies to test groundwater, but Colorado became the first state Monday to require testing after drilling occurs.
The number of states where, as of this year, one political party will hold both the legislature and governorship.
The amount that states as a whole spend each year on incentives and tax breaks for businesses.
The new amount of automatic federal spending cuts -- as a result of the fiscal cliff deal -- that will occur in March, down from the $109 billion in cuts that was set to take effect in January.
The age that Ithaca, N.Y., Mayor Svante Myrick was when he took office last January. Myrick is one of several young mayors around the country bringing a fresh perspective and new energy to public office.
The number of Philadelphia high schools that will have free condom dispensers installed by the time students return from winter break.
The number of federal, state and local police officers that have died so far on the job in 2012, according to The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
The number of schools that Philadelphia Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. is attempting to close. There will be a vote on the measure in March 2013.
The new minimum wage in Washington state, as of Jan. 1, 2013. Washington is one of ten states increasing their minimum wage in the new year. The federal minimum wage is $7.25.
The sharp rise in the portion of people who no longer approve of Gov. Rick Snyder since he signed controversial legislation to make Michigan the 24th state with a "right-to-work" law.
The increase in the portion of people killed while riding a bicycle from 2010 to 2011. While bike deaths increased, the number of people killed in traffic accidents overall dropped to its lowest since 1949.
The number of states still projecting general fund revenues below FY 2008 levels, according to a survey of state budget officials.
The time that the Michigan Legislature ended its lame duck session early Friday morning after rushing to pass a number of bills, including ones that would ease gun restrictions, make it tougher to recall state lawmakers, and replace the emergency manager law that voters struck down in November.
The rate of Americans who moved this year, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. View which states had the most people move away from and into their region.
The number of states where it is illegal to get an abortion after 20 weeks. Texas may become the 10th state with such a law because Gov. Rick Perry recently indicated that he would sign such a bill, if introduced and passed by the Legislature.
The number of years in a row that Vermont has ranked as the healthiest state in the nation on the United Health Foundation's annual report.
The date that nearly every American should be allowed to send text messages to 911.
