Governing: State and local government news and analysis
School choice programs provide state money to help families who want to educate their kids outside of public school. After launching programs targeted at disadvantaged students, many states are opening the programs up to everyone.
The incinerated town of Lahaina has barely begun to recover. Policymakers have scrambled to ease inflexible laws and regulations but rebuilding would be happening much more quickly if that had happened before the fires.
Now 25,000 members strong, financially secure and long blessed with thoughtful leadership, the Government Finance Officers Association is poised to address the challenges to come for those who manage the public purse.
Local transit agencies are facing a budget gap of nearly $800 million. The Illinois Senate has passed a bill to provide nearly double that amount and overhaul the systems but the House has not yet acted.
Oregon has enacted a law that's the first of its kind, protecting doctors from corporate interference over medical decision-making.
Most states have seen their collections drop below 15-year trends. Federal actions may also provide a drag on revenue.
Hospital associations say more rural facilities will close if Medicaid cuts go through. Potential aid includes changes to matching rates and provider taxes.
Threats and harassment are on the rise, but strategies exist to bring down the temperature and reduce the likelihood of deadly outcomes.
House Republicans want to repeal tax credits for clean-energy projects, and the industry is already slowing. But the jobs and benefits would boost GOP-leaning states and congressional districts.
With Congress on the verge of passing new mandates, state Medicaid directors warn that the planned implementation date at the end of next year is too soon.
State lawmakers have passed dozens of bills aimed at promoting housing supply and affordability this year, with significant proposals awaiting final approval in Texas and California.
A provision in the federal budget bill would bar states from taking any action on AI. This would derail careful legislation designed to promote the technology while offering needed safeguards.
The state has paid out more than $500 million to settle lawsuits during this fiscal year, mostly in foster care cases – a sixfold increase since 2018.
Just what is the military allowed to do in dealing with local disturbances? We’re finding out.
Chicago’s mayor has an ambitious plan to make the city an active partner in getting more housing built. It’s the way things used to work — and still do in some other countries.
Whether it’s recovering from hurricanes or addressing a housing crisis, data forms the foundation of success, writes Tampa's mayor.
The Trump administration concedes it ended too many Department of Education contracts but critics say it hasn’t restored enough congressionally approved programs.
A majority of departments rely on volunteer help but the number of people willing to devote time has dropped substantially over the past decade.
Too often they fall victim to political expediencies. If it’s not the answer that will garner votes at election time, it’s not going to happen.
Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman was shot and killed on Saturday. She had previously spoken with Governing about the challenges of leading in difficult times.
It could slow growth in crucial sectors and cost states jobs across industries, according to a new report.
Since 2020, more than 100 hospitals in a majority of states have shut down their labor and delivery units.
Millions are likely to lose health insurance, and there is no credible data that imposing such rules would save money. They would hurt rural communities and red states as much as blue ones.
States are taking a look at tax credits, cost-sharing, regulation reductions and more as they look to support families and their economies.
There are places we shouldn’t be living. With federal disaster aid uncertain, states and localities should build voluntary buyout programs to relocate residents from floodplains.
A statue in Times Square depicting an ordinary Black woman has held up a mirror to people's attitudes about race and celebration.
Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard against anti-deportation protesters is sadly familiar after other attacks on the First Amendment.
The latest technology revolution will eventually eliminate some of the public funds’ internal staff. To avoid being AI roadkill, pension systems and key employees need to take the initiative collectively.
Abbott has won a number of major legislative victories over the past couple of sessions, including a long-awaited expansion of school choice this year. His re-election next year is all but assured.
Rather than pulling special education kids out for separate instruction, it’s putting special ed teachers in classrooms with the general student population. Test scores are improving.
