Governing: State and local government news and analysis
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Voters in three states rejected ballot measures promoting school choice. But they didn’t reject the legislators who favor it.
Fitch Ratings issued a report comparing the pension debt in each state to personal income. Connecticut had the highest ratio, at 23 percent, while Tennessee was the best at 1 percent.
The power often goes out in Eastport, Maine, due to storms. Now, the small city is developing solar and tidal power to fuel its own microgrid.
Democratic governors are scrambling to mount an effective opposition to the policies of the new administration. They may not be holding a winning hand.
Future in Context
The recent fortunes of local initiatives reveal a shifting landscape in U.S. transportation policy — driven by political, economic and environmental factors. What lies ahead is, as yet, unclear.
Larry Rhoden has been serving as Kristi Noem's lieutenant governor. He'll inherit a tougher budget environment than she had.
Republicans in Congress might force all states to impose such rules. Supporters say they give Medicaid recipients a boost toward self-sufficiency and financial stability. Critics say such rules hurt far more people than they help.
Henderson City Manager Richard Derrick has focused on improving city services in Nevada’s second-largest city. Community surveys suggest residents are reaping the benefits.
The view of the federal department as a source of malign leftist influence is backwards. Good ideas are out there, and there needs to be a central authority to disseminate best practices and insist on results.
Mayors and other local leaders have an important role to play in the psychological well-being of their constituents, protecting them from harmful policies and helping them handle new uncertainties.
Rising minorities in big cities are increasingly concerned about order and security. Political parties need to pay attention.
Future in Context
Author Fern Tiger discusses how genuinely connecting with communities before launching projects can drive progress by ensuring feedback is more than surface-level. Tailoring engagement can shape more accurate policies.
Outlining rural health issues and priorities is the latest step in combating rural health disparities, according to leaders at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Innovation must come with transparency, safeguards and human oversight. We need to deploy the technology in ways that enhance rather than erode public confidence in the justice system.
A new report from Brookings shows how state departments of transportation have a free hand to spend on highway projects, but don’t keep good track of progress toward specific goals.
His second presidency could recolor the landscape for federal spending, with ramifications for states, local governments, schools and public pensions. Governors and mayors will need to try to discern where the political wind is blowing — and what to watch out for.
