Governing: State and local government news and analysis
America has had resounding success in telling the story of its birth and rise as a nation. So too has Israel during the 20th century. Now, Palestine must do the same if it wants to succeed, says Middle East scholar Rashid Khalidi.
Congress should rewrite the ground rules to minimize nuisance lawsuits that can cost local taxpayers millions, while focusing civil courts on bad cops and blind-eye departments.
A recent Supreme Court ruling in a California case affirms that every American should have the right to make political donations without fearing violence or persecution.
Wildfires aren’t caused by forests, but the default approach to fire prevention is to clear them. Climate may be the real problem, and preserving trees a big part of the solution.
More and more states are rolling out digital driver’s licenses, and experts see that trend continuing as federal standards take shape and citizens embrace an improved government experience.
Downtowns thrive when small-scale manufacturing is prioritized, and the ownership of those businesses is diverse. Federal recovery funds can go a long way toward helping this vital sector.
Ongoing efforts to find election irregularities might serve the ambitions of some in politics, but they aren’t viewed favorably by many Americans. A new report documents the spread of unconventional “audits” to new states.
More of them could compete at every level, from community leagues to the Paralympics, but adaptive sports technology is expensive. There’s much that local governments could do to improve access.
Ridership on trains and buses has plunged, yet crime is on the rise. Transit advocates say now is the time to change how to handle fare evaders and illegal behavior. But will the riding population feel safer?
Five dozen Democrats left Texas Monday, hoping to block or at least stall voting legislation. It’s a tactic that doesn’t always work but does always cause a stir.
A new training program is an opportunity for lawmakers and their staffs to get up to speed so that the policies they craft address the issue in ways that don’t harm the economy.
The case of UNC and Nikole Hannah-Jones is not just about one Black journalist being treated shabbily. It illustrates the dangers of political interference and underlines the need for a more diverse workforce of educators.
Biographies play an important role in studying the full story of past Americans by exploring their successes and how they reached their goals. Here are the five elements of an excellent biography and some personal recommendations.
The federal government sent a lot of money to states to help with an anticipated COVID-related economic downturn. Turns out, states did not need that much money – but they may spend it anyway.
Housing advocates agree that California’s Project Homekey had a significant impact on the Fresno community, but there is still more that must be done to ensure all residents have safe, affordable housing options.
Are the postmodernists and critical race theorists correct when they say America and some of its founders should appear with an asterisk behind their names from now on? The legacy of the Enlightenment and the American Experiment is in the balance.
There’s plenty of demand for space in central cities. We just need to stop dictating what it can be used for.
State and local government innovation offices are neither ubiquitous nor standardized. GT talked to veterans of four such agencies to get insight on best practices, lessons learned and what’s ahead.
In 22 states, the share of renters in debt increased.
Registered apprenticeship can bridge the gap between job seekers looking for a living wage and employers who need skilled workers. The system, established during the Great Depression, is experiencing a renaissance.
State and local bans have been of some help in keeping renters in their homes, but the federal moratorium hasn't had much impact. Targeted cash relief and an abundant housing market are the best tenant protections.
Loretta Weinberg, the “Jewish grandmother” of the Garden State’s political arena, has battled with Chris Christie and Andrew Cuomo to get better transit for the common worker. Now, it’s time to say goodbye.
State laws and local practices vary widely, so the impact on budgets will defy generalizations. But it’s unlikely that rising revenues will uniformly cover impending growth in municipal costs.
Total aid ranges from about 5 percent to more than 20 percent of annual spending.
Bristol, R. I., has celebrated July Fourth for nearly 240 years, making it “The Most Patriotic Town in America.” Legendary Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci made the festivities not only historic, but infamous.
As the nation’s Independence Day approaches, a report analyzes which state is the most patriotic based upon its military and civic engagement. Montana scored the highest. Republican states are more patriotic than Democratic ones, but just barely.
Slavery was a national issue, but its legacy increasingly is being addressed by local officials. The mayors of nearly a dozen cities have pledged reparations programs.
Assuming the Supreme Court casts a hostile eye toward Roe v. Wade, abortion rights would disappear overnight in half the states.
State, local and county governments officials testified that they need continually renewed, flexible funding to fend off increasing cyber threats during a U.S. Senate hearing earlier this month.
The Big Easy isn’t the only city using chatbots to bridge equity gaps and provide more residents with the answers they seek on a 24/7 basis. Smarter chatbots are finding their places in public service.
