Governing: State and local government news and analysis
Los Angeles County voters have approved changes that include an expansion of the county Board of Supervisors and creation of a separate executive leader. Reform advocates had pushed for such changes for decades and an atmosphere of scandal helped them succeed.
Charging motorists to drive in a large swath of Manhattan has been decades in the making, and the idea has had some success elsewhere in the world.
It makes sense that the Trump administration is looking for ways to cut spending. But the way they’re going about it is all wrong.
Black and Hispanic high schoolers in Texas who have to drive more than 30 minutes to a community college are more likely to forego college altogether, a new report finds.
The program brings together students from four universities. Coming from different backgrounds, they learn how to interact respectfully and absorb challenging perspectives.
There’s a lot of talk in Harrisburg about reducing regulations, but much of the economic development effort still focuses on tax credits. Four different programs meant to draw businesses have little to no participants.
The way to make the federal government more efficient on a permanent basis is not one-time cuts but devolving authority over many programs to state governments.
Future in Context
An expert offers insights on how government agencies, frequent targets online, can safeguard critical infrastructure and future-proof their cybersecurity. Also under consideration: artificial intelligence’s dual role in security.
Trump has vowed to eliminate the Department of Education in his second term. Even if he stops short, the administration will bring policy changes to colleges and universities and new scrutiny to diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
The Trump administration is likely to reverse some climate policies but local officials are determined to continue addressing impacts on their communities.
Cities in California and other states offer unhoused people transportation to somewhere else. But the number of people who can benefit is small, and it’s hard to tell what happens to them where they end up.
A judge has ruled unconstitutional the core of Act 10, the state’s famous 2011 law that ended collective bargaining for most public employees. Republican legislators vowed to appeal the decision.
Last month, Massachusetts voters approved a measure ending the requirement that students pass a test to graduate. In 2012, half the states required such tests, but the number will soon drop to a half-dozen.
Fearing political backlash, governors use their clemency powers far less than they once did. But it’s a powerful tool for addressing injustice.
Critics of liberalizing housing construction are concerned that looser zoning rules could make existing houses more expensive. Fortunately, this worry is somewhat overblown.
’Tis the season: State politicians love to proclaim temporary tax respites, but they rarely achieve their stated objective of boosting economic activity. Poor timing, poor design — or just a bad idea?
Public health experts emphasize the importance of clear and consistent messaging. They may not get that with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as federal health secretary.
Thanks to new funding from the state, county diversion programs for juveniles have increased dramatically. A new report finds that they’re successful more than 80 percent of the time.
Far more seniors live by themselves and can only leave their homes with difficulty than live in nursing homes, yet they receive less policy attention. That can lead to bad health outcomes.
Evidence is growing that participation in art has public health benefits. Rhinelander, Wis., is using it as a remedy for social isolation.
Trump will take a largely deregulatory approach to tech, while aiming to aggressively pursue foreign cyber threat actors.
Gov. Kim Reynolds praises districts that have already restricted phones but says a statewide ban will be a 2025 priority. Such policies around the country have run into problems with courts.
Big city transit systems receive more than half their operational funds from the state. That’s a far higher percentage than Boston, Chicago or New York.
Wildfires will continue to rage out of control unless federal forest managers learn from Western states how to properly steward public lands and contain their fires.
The Salt Lake City Public Library's in-house social workers and suite of other services help the unhoused find their way.
School districts bear significant financial costs: Security, communications, legal work and heightened staff turnover related to conflict all come with price tags. The money could be better spent elsewhere.
Ohio would be the fourth state to require proof of citizenship under a legislative proposal. The bill would also require monthly maintenance of voter rolls.
A collaboration between a foundation and private-sector partners to build a successful streetcar system in Detroit demonstrates the potential for community growth and prosperity.
Voters in three states rejected ballot measures promoting school choice. But they didn’t reject the legislators who favor it.
Democratic governors are scrambling to mount an effective opposition to the policies of the new administration. They may not be holding a winning hand.
