Governing: State and local government news and analysis
In short, more clarity with less spectacle. Last year’s federal tax cuts won’t have much of an impact on state and local revenues, but tariff refund politics could be a fiscal wild card. And AI’s effects will be felt on several fronts.
It’s tempting for governments to shortchange spending on things like training, infrastructure maintenance and disaster preparation. But not spending the money can cost a lot more in the long run.
Firefighters are adopting new equipment and approaches to better protect against toxic smoke and soot.
Those just joining governing bodies shouldn’t just hang back and observe. They need to stay in touch with their constituents, work with colleagues who don’t share all their views, and commit themselves to high ethical standards.
Worker-owned cooperatives and direct-connect registries are reducing turnover and reshaping how older adults get care at home.
Atlanta’s decision to reinvest in it and bring a full-scale program back on the air should be a national model. It’s especially needed in today’s radically reshaped media environment.
Nineteen states raised their minimum wage in January. Almost as many are keeping it at the federal level of $7.25 set in 2009.
A first-of-its-kind lawsuit from the city of San Francisco seeks to end advertising that misleads consumers about the health impacts of highly processed foods. The city attorney spoke with Governing about the suit.
Homeowners' associations do plenty of beneficial things. But sometimes they go too far, testing the tension between individual and community rights and leading to states’ efforts to restrict their powers.
Water facilities aren’t always aware of the risks they face, or what they can do about it.
The Trump administration is holding federal grants hostage to its priorities.
The scandals that ended the Minnesota governor’s bid for a third term reflect the kind of oversight failure that comes with one-party control of government. Above all, voters expect competent administration.
Few cities have seen a post-pandemic ridership bounce-back as successful as Washington, D.C.'s. But the area's transit system is looking for more help from officials in the district, Maryland and Virginia.
Rather than acting as substitute police, guard medics could help save lives by backing up strained local emergency responders. It’s not unprecedented.
Maura Healey broke new ground as the first woman and first openly gay candidate elected governor in Massachusetts, but her priorities have been firmly focused on quality-of-life and cost-of-living issues like housing and transportation.
An onerous 1970 law remains an open invitation for lawsuits. And reforms should make it easier to build the kind of housing most Californians want.
As states and cities navigated crisis, reform and political change, these were the stories readers turned to most in 2025 — from emergency management and public safety to housing, transit and federal policy.
They could act as official intervenors in rate-hike cases, bringing the power of their offices to bear.
AI investment is driving the economy, and states want a share. Here’s a look at where the data centers that do the work of AI are located.
States’ efforts to streamline government operations may sound like the federal model once led by Elon Musk, but when it comes to genuine government efficiency they’re getting a lot more done.
Maryland’s awareness campaign and Urban Institute research offer a blueprint state leaders can use to increase uptake, helping residents keep more of what they’ve earned.
As cities come back from the pandemic, a few elite performers are leading the way.
Chicago’s mayor has low approval ratings and has struggled to pass his agenda. What does it mean for other big-city progressives?
As high schools rethink graduation requirements, a growing number are moving away from requiring all students to pass a comprehensive test.
The conventional wisdom gets it wrong, relying on stereotypes. That’s an issue for public debates, policies and resources.
Updating property assessments often causes headaches for political leaders, especially in areas with rapid increases in home value. A backlash recently led to a county executive’s recall in Missouri.
With federal support diminishing, local governments are on the forefront. They have plenty of effective approaches to draw on to direct resources toward proven ideas — and away from ineffective ones.
The order calls for suing and denying grants to states with “onerous and excessive” artificial intelligence regulations, and for recommending a “minimally burdensome” national standard to pre-empt state laws.
A proposed new city in California demonstrates the benefits of packing more people and businesses into a small geographic area. Removing daunting roadblocks can open up vital experiments in city-building.
There was plenty of coverage, but it provided little perspective on politics and government or on the important relationships among the people who ran cities and states. Newer forms of journalism might be evolving into something better.
