Americans believe that their local governments spend money more wisely than their state and federal counterparts. But forcing localities to do more with less isn’t a recipe for government efficiency.
A proposal to set a per-enrollee limit on federal money for the program is gaining traction. But states know how to game Medicaid rules and federal oversight is woefully inadequate.
President Trump signed an executive order to increase federal support for school choice programs, causing debate about the impact on public schools and student outcomes.
A memo from the Office of Management and Budget freezing federal grants to states was canceled. But funds are still being kept back, and budget officers are looking for answers.
The Supreme Court has made public corruption cases more difficult. The Justice Department's actions in New York suggests they may turn into political weapons.
Important federal deposit insurance rules and possibly its entire regulatory apparatus could come into play in Washington this year. State and local treasurers need to focus on vital public and fiduciary interests.
It’s a battle of state vs. state and calls for the federal government to restrict Democratic state policies.
Solutions include funding the federal agency properly, requiring states to share a larger burden of the responsibility and removing barriers to resilience.
State and local public health departments rely on federal funding to operate. With those dollars at risk amid the Trump administration’s federal funding freezes, they’re bracing for the future.
President Trump, who calls FEMA “not good,” has issued an executive order and established a commission to look at ending the agency. He favors having states respond to their own disasters, but they may not have adequate resources.
A combined federal and state effort to redesign the boondoggle-prone economic development program could also provide the blueprint for rebuilding devastated communities.
Cities across the country are committed to making it easier to build housing and are taking a variety of promising approaches, note the leaders of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. But they must be bolstered by federal investment and flexibility.
The administration rescinded its order for a spending review due to blowback. Republicans had not joined the chorus of critics, even though red states are heavily dependent on federal grants.
The White House ordered a pause on all federal grants, partly intending to target diversity, equity and inclusion and other "woke" programs. A third of states' budgets comes from federal grants.
The Trump administration has an opportunity to return authority over energy generation and natural resource development to the states.
As 2024 came to a close, the White House and Congress approved big giveaways to two subsets of state and local government employees and pensioners. There could be political backlash, and for equity’s sake there might be a case for some corrective tax policies.
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