Governing: State and local government news and analysis
Insurance companies were fleeing fire-prone parts of California even before the disaster in Los Angeles. Policymakers are under pressure to find solutions as the risks grow.
Catastrophes like the L.A. wildfires are going to happen again. There’s no easy way to make sure victims can be made whole.
Lawmakers will devote considerable time this year to perennial concerns such as crime and education.
Lawmakers continue to try to get ahead of the curve on AI and many are eager to curb social media use among the young. Climate remains the top environmental concern but "forever chemicals" are more likely to see bipartisan action.
New York's mayor, embroiled in legal trouble, has no chance at winning a second term. Meanwhile, the two parties argue about whether the legislative year can even begin in Minnesota.
Grant programs too often send money to areas that already have resources. Federal agencies should work with state and local leaders to identify the place-specific needs of regional economies and develop custom projects.
Between brazen minor offenses like organized shoplifting and a few heavily publicized acts of random violence, it’s little wonder that people are on edge.
A 2022 law gave staff the ability to unionize. Their new contract will provide a raise of 3 percent in July and additional workplace protections.
States face a tricky year, with their own revenues stalling and federal aid running low.
Even the most basic computing tasks require electrical power. The level of computing that drives today’s economy is far from basic.
U.S. prisons are dangerous for corrections staff and incarcerated people alike and recidivism rates are high. Can a Scandinavian-inspired culture shift help?
PowerSchool, which has 16,000 customers, is used by more than 50 million students. Hackers gained access to information about them and their parents, receiving ransom to prevent leaks of the stolen data.
It’s just too hard to start a new business. These offices can do a lot to eliminate governmental red tape and remove other barriers to our engines of job creation and economic growth.
The nation's largest health insurance program is likely to be cut in Congress this year to pay for other priorities. That could have profound ramifications for state budgets and the health-care system.
Voters in several states, including deeply red ones, chose to make significant boosts. While the federal minimum remains stuck at $7.25, 10 states now have a wage of $15 or higher and more are headed in that direction.
As a legislator, governor, president and ex-president, he confronted the prejudices that were so much a part of where and when he grew up. His life and deeds hold many lessons for today’s public officials.
Artificial intelligence systems require consistent monitoring and staffing to put in place and to keep them working well. The need for people and more machines to make sure new tools don’t mess up is leading to increased costs for hospitals.
A state Supreme Court justice won a narrow victory in November. Her challenger argues tens of thousands of votes should be thrown out.
Forty million Americans live in food deserts. Can government-owned grocery stores fix this?
Five years after the murder of George Floyd and just ahead of the Trump administration, Minneapolis agreed to enter into a consent decree with the Department of Justice. DOJ cited five others as models for success.
The Yes In My Backyard movement is barely a decade old. But it has set the terms of the debate over state and local housing policy.
The state’s 988 service has a $7 million shortfall and the nation’s fifth highest rate of abandoned calls. The suicide rate in Texas has risen dramatically during this century.
Democrats outperformed Kamala Harris’ showing in three legislative districts but fell short of President Biden’s showing back in 2020.
As Georgia governor, he was a pioneer in efforts to attract foreign investment and promote exports, setting the stage for how U.S. states would help shape the global economy.
There's turnover in Washington with each new administration. Departing federal workers can bring valuable skills and experience to state and local governments.
Recent laws to improve pension financing should save states tens of billions of dollars over the long term.
Human services officials say more treatment options are needed to place children, but lawmakers are concerned lighter regulations will create more problems.
With 13 states offering coverage, it’s already a $3.9 billion cost. Some state officials say reducing obesity will save programs money in the long run.
Governors, mayors and finance officers are treading water, awaiting the outcome and impact of a new Washington regime’s vows to slash federal spending and taxes. Meanwhile, state and municipal budgeters and debt managers will need to make intelligent guesses and pay more attention to their rainy-day funds.
Arrests connected to the home-built weapons are growing rapidly in the U.S. and around the world. It’s likely to prove harder for governments and police to keep them out of the hands of criminals and extremists.
