Governing: State and local government news and analysis
States and local governments should ensure that the new federal funds are invested in lasting economic development. There are lessons to draw upon from around the world.
Twenty years ago, hundreds of Black neighborhoods in major cities were in good shape financially. Even before the pandemic, however, a majority had slipped into poverty.
President calls on Congress to support his plans for economic equity, gun safety, policing, education, energy, rural broadband, biotech, clean energy, immigration, and paid leave - all of which come with local impacts.
Tens of thousands of people die on our streets and highways every year. There are proven evidence-based strategies that could make our roads safe for everyone.
Mayor Brandon Scott is spearheading efforts to increase transparency in city government. Data-driven tools are helping Baltimore residents drill into how the administration is meeting its goals and a range of other topics.
Progressives and anti-taxers oppose blue-state proposals to remove the federal limit on state and local tax deductions. Reforms must address both tax competition and income confiscation.
New research calls into question the efficacy of America’s largest affordable housing program. Among working-class families, one in four renter households paid over half their income in rent in 2017.
Community and technical colleges are particularly well-suited to partnering with governments to bring broadband and digital literacy to underserved urban and rural communities.
The Biden administration’s new budget proposes to increase federal spending. While little is specifically geared toward school technology, some funds could help close the digital divide and bolster mental health services.
Severe flooding two years ago inspired some in northwest Missouri to build back differently.
The Supreme Court recently dealt defeat to Florida in its 20-year legal battle with Georgia over river water. Other interstate water contests loom, but there are no sure winners in these lawsuits.
As Congress debates the massive investment in American infrastructure, President Biden announces the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan.
While the plunge in ridership has left some wondering if commuter rail is dying, others see a rare opportunity to reinvent the suburb-to-city service into something very different. But it won’t be cheap or easy.
Many of them are more interested in pandering to hungry corporations than they are in making investments in their citizens.
While conservatives favor blunt language, progressives are more attuned to its potential harm, sometimes to the point of denying words their simple meaning.
Jessica Benham has faced disadvantages that would keep most people out of politics. She hasn’t let that stop her from getting elected to the state Legislature.
The role of Asian citizens in politics and public life is a story that will surprise a good many Americans.
The coronavirus pandemic and the 2020 elections have increased the number of states preempting local laws and ordinances, especially where cities and states were run by different political parties.
A report from WalletHub ranked the diversity of 501 cities using 13 different metrics. Houston, Texas, was the most diverse while Provo, Utah, was the least.
Can the government regulate information shared by social media companies during an election? According to one West Virginia lawmaker, the answer is "yes." The ACLU, however, says not so fast.
Colleges make billions from the feats of student athletes. Recent bills could open the door for athletes to receive compensation beyond their scholarships.
Diesel fumes spewed by the buses we're using poison children, drivers and neighborhoods. Transitioning to electric buses also can create good jobs and healthier communities.
Once an overlooked part of the urban landscape, the curb is now considered hot real estate in many cities. The demands of delivery services, ridesharing and micromobility have cities re-examining how they manage their assets.
Wastewater offers high-tech jobs at the leading edge of sustainability and public health. But aging workers are leaving, creating a shortage of skilled workers. Public utilities need to step up their recruitment game.
Turner died on Tuesday at age 70, two months into his first congressional term. We are rerunning our 2019 profile of him as mayor.
