Governing: State and local government news and analysis
Future in Context
Drawing from his experience in San Jose, Seattle Chief Technology Officer Rob Lloyd seeks to address pressing issues like homelessness and public safety in a post-pandemic landscape in the Emerald City.
Fear and confusion in the aftermath of disasters create fertile ground for misinformation. Social media and AI can amplify it, but there are ways to weather the storm.
Far too often, family courts award shared custody to fathers accused of domestic violence. Hundreds of children have been murdered. There’s much that policymakers could do to prevent some of these tragic outcomes.
Cherelle Parker is the 100th mayor of Philadelphia and the first woman to hold the job. She has forged ahead on her first-year agenda, but some constituencies feel left out.
Millions are falling behind on their retirement goals. There are proven policy solutions at the state level, and federal policymakers could build on those to help all workers save what they will need and reduce the burden on taxpayers.
Child care involves a mix of public, private and nonprofit providers. Mayors are trying to make systems easier for parents to navigate and afford.
Few homeowners are protected against flood damage. What can be done to reduce the burden of recovery on them and their communities?
Democrats receive increasing levels of support from college-educated Americans, but this has triggered a populist backlash and sharpened polarization.
It’s an emerging form of grassroots activism that could have a big impact, from educating voters to calling out political shenanigans.
Nearly 6,000 legislative seats are up but real competition is only taking place in a handful of states, including Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Given tax-exempt financing and other advantages, continued municipal ownership would seem the way to go. But other pressing public needs can make cashing out these valuable assets seem attractive. A new wave of privatization efforts will give localities a lot to think about.
A ballot measure would replace an existing tax with a larger one, raising more than $1 billion annually to fund a wider variety of services. It faces an uncertain future at the ballot box.
There are more ways to vote for mayor of Portland this November than there are people in the state of Oregon. Nearly 100 people are running for City Council.
Future in Context
After guiding the Texas county through the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Philip Huang, its health director, pushed for collaboration and long-term strategies to prepare for future crises. Data modernization proved to be crucial.
Utah state Senate President Pro Tempore Wayne Harper was selected to lead the National Conference of State Legislatures. The bipartisan organization is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
The majority of U.S. agricultural exports rely on the Mississippi River to reach the international market.
Working from home has dramatically changed over the past 10 years, as technology developments and the pandemic have radically changed the workplace landscape. The number of remote workers is now nearly triple what it was in 2014.
Struggling midwestern cities may have a future in military manufacturing.
Republican Sen. Mike Braun remains favored but has not been able to build a substantial lead in Indiana. Voters in Oakland, Calif., meanwhile, might recall the mayor and the district attorney in one fell swoop.
Whether it’s backyard housing or in-law suites, attitudes are changing on accessory dwelling units as a cheaper, quicker route to housing affordability and availability.
States have been awash with cash in recent years. Those that didn’t make spending increases permanent are now in better shape.
Despite some local officials’ claims that they will not certify election results, there are ample safeguards to ensure that ballots are tabulated accurately and election results are certified in a timely manner.
Parks gained popular and political support during the pandemic. That hasn’t translated into increased funding, especially for smaller neighborhood parks.
New analysis shows the breadth of Nebraska campaign giving by Pete Ricketts and his parents, which spiked when he ran for governor and spiked again to support Jim Pillen, who soon appointed Ricketts to the U.S. Senate.
Term-limited as governor of Delaware, Democrat John Carney decided to cap his career with a stint as mayor of Wilmington.
Voters and voting offices in Western N.C. face unprecedented challenges in finding their bearings, and each other.
Outdated, expensive systems fail to deliver for government or the public. Procurement technology needs to be simpler, clearer and faster for everyone.
The National League of Cities was founded 100 years ago. Its CEO reflects on its history and continuing mission.
Law enforcement officials aren’t supposed to appear in campaign ads showing a badge or wearing a uniform. But lots of them are doing it.
We continue to underfund them, their student bodies are becoming more diverse, and their values are under political assault. We need to preserve the cultural significance of these important institutions.
