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Chris DeCardy, president of the Heinz Endowments. That foundation, along with others in Pittsburgh, has helped the city change its economic focus to robotics, AI, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. Pittsburgh is one of several major cities where foundations are pushing economic development strategies in parallel with city governments themselves. (Governing – Jan. 2, 2025)
All but two states completed a review, but only 22 states reached or surpassed the recommended minimum levels of security in their systems.
Being selective about the audiences they reach has some political benefits, but doesn't help inspire trust in government more broadly.
This is a nation in need of de-escalation training. Bad behavior has been normalized to the point that some people are celebrating assassins.
Republicans gained a tie in the Minnesota House in November, ending the Democrats' trifecta and halting their heavily progressive agenda.
The laws create more regulation, holding manufacturers responsible for the types of packaging materials used and requiring them to educate the public about recycling and disposal.
Over the past few months, gun laws in Illinois, New York and Minnesota have all been tossed out. Federal courts are more protective of Second Amendment Rights in the wake of a 2022 Supreme Court decision.
Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore. He backs an effort to expand alcohol sales beyond liquor stores, allowing sales in grocery stores and perhaps other retailers. Some legislators worry that increased competition could hurt small business owners, but surveys show overwhelming support for allowing such sales, which would bring Maryland in line with laws in adjoining Virginia, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.(Maryland Matters – Dec. 11, 2024)
Approximate number of Christmas toys given out to children by a civic association run by Brian Stack, mayor of Union City, N.J., and a state senator.
Over the past decade, Richmond, Va., has managed to cut its poverty rate by 36 percent. Many things broke right for the city, but a pair of mayors stuck with a longterm plan to make it happen.
Vincent Fort served in the Georgia Senate for nearly three decades as a forceful, effective voice for “the least of these.” As he copes with cancer, it's important to acknowledge a vanishing breed of leader.
Panhandle businessman Alex Fairly, the father of an incoming state representative, was already a major GOP donor. Now he's funding a new group to support more conservative politicians.
Two years ago, the city crafted heralded policies on requiring electrification of buildings and cars. This week, it softened restrictions significantly.
When Democrat Jay Inslee took office in 2013, the state’s two-year budget was $38.4 billion. Now, as he prepares to leave, he’s released a $78.8 billion spending plan.
The difference between the amount of tax revenue projected by the New York City Council and projections from Mayor Eric Adams. The council has consistently projected revenues that are higher than the mayor’s office. Two leaders on the council, Speaker Adrienne Adams and Finance Chair Justin Brannan, argued that the city has the money to invest in parks, mental health and other programs. “Now, we just need an administration that is committed to investing in New Yorkers' priorities and fulfilling their pledges to working-class New Yorkers,” they said in a statement.
Weld County, Colo., Commissioner Kevin Ross. The county is seeing its assessed value drop from nearly $25 billion last year to less than $20 billion this year, but its budget remains in fairly good shape. That’s in part due to a property tax rate increase but also for finance decisions made over time to take into account the county’s boom and bust sectors, particularly energy. (Denver Post – Dec. 15, 2024)
More than anything it’s the simple result of Americans growing older, a fact of life we haven’t come to grips with politically.
Immigration is no longer the primary lens through which Latinos see the world. They are rapidly becoming more defined as economically populist voters, exasperated with the political failure to address their economic concerns.
A bill would shut down public schools that are among the 5 percent worst performers, matching charter school standards. Critics say basing closures on percentages means schools would be lost every year.
California’s Democratic governor will also expand job training and credential programs to help more residents without degrees find work in the public sector.
Alderman Anthony Beale. He was complaining about Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget, which increases spending from last year and includes accounting gimmicks to avoid a property tax increase. Beale was among a group of 15 aldermen (there are a total of 50 on the board) who called on the mayor to cut spending by an additional $824 million. (The Center Square – Dec. 16, 2024)
Trump promises to seek stiffer sentences, including the death penalty. But there’s still appetite in Congress for policies designed to reduce incarceration.
The taming of inflation was the main financial story. Bond and capital markets were cooperative, even if voters upset about property taxes were not. Governors, mayors, finance directors and pension pros may soon look back wistfully at 2024’s business-as-usual atmosphere.
Mayor Cherelle Parker has ordered city workers to show up at the office five days a week, leading more companies to follow suit. But hybrid work remains a new normal in many places.
For the first time in a decade, the state is seeing a sustained decline, mirroring national trends. After nine months of decreases, drug deaths in the state are down 17 percent this year.
As in much of the country, more kids are missing school in Baltimore, leading both city and state officials to propose new policies and early interventions.
After being suspended by Florida’s governor in 2023, Orlando-area prosecutor Monique Worrell won reelection in November. But DeSantis’ replacement said he might not help her return.
Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova, which makes gas turbines. He exalted about new orders in a recent earnings call with investors. The incoming Trump administration is expected to push for increased energy production. Along with growing demand for power from data centers, that’s setting the stage for industry growth. (Heatmap – Dec. 10, 2024)
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