Governing: State and local government news and analysis
Republican resistance isn’t just about taxes. It’s rooted in the party’s hostility toward urban initiatives that has played out on a broad range of issues.
The nation is debating Section 230 reform, but fighting social media disinformation may be less about what users can say than about how platforms can amplify and recommend it, said MIT panelists.
The goal is to add 4 million acres of farmland to the Conservation Reserve Program, which takes land out of production to blunt agriculture’s environmental impact.
So, is it election year again in California? Will voters be asked to toss a governor just a year shy of the end of his term? It’s now all but certain, because recall supporters have submitted the signatures necessary to get it on the ballot.
The president is famous for his love of riding trains. He's ready to put serious money into the Amtrak system, proposing billions more than have been spent throughout its entire 50-year history.
Smart policies can ensure that low- and moderate-income households can find suitable housing in good neighborhoods where transportation costs are low. The research is clear: upzoning works.
The Constitution is silent on the number of justices on the Supreme Court. The independence of the judiciary is put in jeopardy when partisans settle political scores by rebalancing the courts.
Some workers who are sick or have to care for family members will have protection against financial losses, thanks to provisions in the American Rescue Plan.
The American Recovery Plan differs from past stimulus efforts with more targeted funding for women and minority-owned businesses. Whatever the outcome, small employers are likely to be more dependent on technology.
States and local governments should ensure that the new federal funds are invested in lasting economic development. There are lessons to draw upon from around the world.
Twenty years ago, hundreds of Black neighborhoods in major cities were in good shape financially. Even before the pandemic, however, a majority had slipped into poverty.
President calls on Congress to support his plans for economic equity, gun safety, policing, education, energy, rural broadband, biotech, clean energy, immigration, and paid leave - all of which come with local impacts.
Tens of thousands of people die on our streets and highways every year. There are proven evidence-based strategies that could make our roads safe for everyone.
Mayor Brandon Scott is spearheading efforts to increase transparency in city government. Data-driven tools are helping Baltimore residents drill into how the administration is meeting its goals and a range of other topics.
Progressives and anti-taxers oppose blue-state proposals to remove the federal limit on state and local tax deductions. Reforms must address both tax competition and income confiscation.
New research calls into question the efficacy of America’s largest affordable housing program. Among working-class families, one in four renter households paid over half their income in rent in 2017.
Community and technical colleges are particularly well-suited to partnering with governments to bring broadband and digital literacy to underserved urban and rural communities.
The Biden administration’s new budget proposes to increase federal spending. While little is specifically geared toward school technology, some funds could help close the digital divide and bolster mental health services.
Severe flooding two years ago inspired some in northwest Missouri to build back differently.
The Supreme Court recently dealt defeat to Florida in its 20-year legal battle with Georgia over river water. Other interstate water contests loom, but there are no sure winners in these lawsuits.
As Congress debates the massive investment in American infrastructure, President Biden announces the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan.
While the plunge in ridership has left some wondering if commuter rail is dying, others see a rare opportunity to reinvent the suburb-to-city service into something very different. But it won’t be cheap or easy.
Many of them are more interested in pandering to hungry corporations than they are in making investments in their citizens.
While conservatives favor blunt language, progressives are more attuned to its potential harm, sometimes to the point of denying words their simple meaning.
Jessica Benham has faced disadvantages that would keep most people out of politics. She hasn’t let that stop her from getting elected to the state Legislature.
The role of Asian citizens in politics and public life is a story that will surprise a good many Americans.
The coronavirus pandemic and the 2020 elections have increased the number of states preempting local laws and ordinances, especially where cities and states were run by different political parties.
A report from WalletHub ranked the diversity of 501 cities using 13 different metrics. Houston, Texas, was the most diverse while Provo, Utah, was the least.
Can the government regulate information shared by social media companies during an election? According to one West Virginia lawmaker, the answer is "yes." The ACLU, however, says not so fast.
Colleges make billions from the feats of student athletes. Recent bills could open the door for athletes to receive compensation beyond their scholarships.
