Girmay Zahilay is the first new executive of King County, Wash., in 16 years. His restructure of the executive office sprouted rumors he "fired everyone" — but Zahilay says he's just organizing his office around his campaign promises.
Milwaukee’s mayor grew up in the city’s poorest ZIP code and inherited deep fiscal and public safety challenges. Four years later, he’s cut the deficit, reduced crime and earned overwhelming voter support.
Whether it’s political polarization, ruthless social media or federal interference, this is a particularly tough time to be in elected office in a city or a state.
State and local governments have been issuing record amounts of debt, mostly to maintain and expand infrastructure. Will the surge continue?
A proposed bill would clarify when conversations outside public meetings violate the state’s open government law.
It provides a natural space where identities overlap, reducing partisan prejudices. It could be key to easing our fierce divisions.
It’s all too easy to deploy a system that does more harm than good, undermining public trust.
Some mayors openly challenge federal actions while others pursue quiet cooperation to protect resources for their constituents.
The circumstances have to be right, and real urban change agents know not to promise the impossible.
Outdated assessment systems are opaque and structurally biased, leading to “data rot.” Local governments should invest in tools that make it easier for taxpayers to understand how their property is valued.
What happens when familiar words of government are blended to take on new meanings? Perhaps a chortle or two.
How people feel about where they live is an overlooked factor in engaging them in civic life. There are ways to boost those feelings.
Public officials can make the greatest difference when they focus on their communities’ housing, transportation and utility costs.
Joe DiVincenzo has served as county executive for Essex County, N.J., since 2003. He's become a power broker in Democratic state politics even while working with and endorsing some Republicans.
It’s important to give renters a stronger voice. And we need to make big bets on new ways to build.
New York’s 51-member city council unanimously selected Julie Menin as its next speaker. She could help determine the prospects for Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s ambitious agenda.
Most Read
