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The projected cost of a new school voucher plan in Tennessee over the next three years. Last week, legislators passed a bill making Tennessee the latest state to offer vouchers to all families, regardless of location or income. Critics said the cost will grow much higher. The bill was a top priority for GOP Gov. Bill Lee.
Idaho state Rep. Bruce Skaug. The Republican lawmaker has introduced legislation that would allow the governor to veto ballot initiatives approved by voters, arguing that they don’t always get the same amount of information that legislators receive before passing bills. Initiatives that pass with more than two-thirds of the vote could not be vetoed, but supporters of the initiative process called the proposal a slap in the face of voters. (Idaho Capital Sun)
Some programmers and engineers are willing to forego private-sector pay to find meaningful work. But governments need to be more nimble about hiring.
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 Department of Education denied an application from a cyber charter school that would have been part of a multistate network. Classes would have been led by AI tutors with humans serving as “guides.”
Crystal River, Minn., is a freshly incorporated city that lacks money for services and infrastructure. A lobbyist would help secure state funds, but some local officials call the idea a “racket.”
Luz Ramos, whose donut shop was saved by selling Trump donuts. Ramos was on the verge of closing her shop in Edinburg in the Rio Grande Valley, but the day after the election she began selling donuts covered in red frosting with the word "Trump" in white icing. After she announced the debut of the Trump donut on Instagram, customers flocked to the store and it’s been profitable ever since. (Texas Tribune)
Residents of red counties in blue states wish they had a new political home. Also, in Florida, the Legislature is starting to stand up to Ron DeSantis.
The administration rescinded its order for a spending review due to blowback.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.
A 10-mile park running underneath a rail transit line in Miami-Dade County is expected to be complete next year. The county’s former transportation chief just signed on to lead a nonprofit supporting the project.
The education committees in both the House and Senate approved a $450 million bill, a top priority for Gov. Bill Lee. Legislators are expected to pass it quickly during a special session this week.
The legislation would block foreclosures and allow homeowners who’ve suffered financially due to the L.A. fires to freeze payments without penalty. Several major lenders have already reached agreement with Gov. Gavin Newsom to provide voluntary relief.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a bill overturning the state’s work requirements, which had previously been blocked in court. The bill passed in December while Democrats still controlled the Legislature, with Republicans complaining it sent the wrong message to recipients.
Homelessness rose last year by 18 percent, but much of the increase took place in a handful of states that had received lots of immigrants. Some experts say their increase during a HUD census inflated the actual numbers.
Former Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota. He was referring to Gov. Tim Walz’ prospects at home after running as the Democratic candidate for vice president last year. Over the past couple of years, Walz’ profile was enhanced by a flurry of ambitious spending and policy bills. Following last fall’s elections, however, legislative control if Minnesota is divided, meaning many of the governor’s priorities have little chance to pass. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
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John Nolen’s blueprint for Venice, Fla., is legendary among urban planners. But what's interesting about Venice as a place, as opposed to a plan, is how it’s evolved in real life.
Longtime conservative activist Carl DeMaio won an Assembly seat last year, arguing the GOP must be more aggressive against Democratic policies. Some Republicans call him a self-promoter who can’t be trusted.
A bill would set caps on infrastructure funds, allowing localities to make up the difference by charging fees on deliveries. Local officials say the plan will leave them short.
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.
Dan Collins, an attorney representing former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan. Collins made his comment, referring to his client’s indictment, during his closing argument in Madigan’s trial for corruption. Madigan, a Democrat, faces numerous counts of misusing his office for personal gain. Collins sought to shift blame for various corrupt schemes onto a former Chicago alderman who testified against Madigan, saying the speaker was just trying to help. (The Center Square – Jan. 28, 2025)
Health officials are calling the outbreak of the highly contagious disease “unprecedented,” but the numbers remain small, with 67 active infections centered in the Kansas City suburbs.
Finding ways to support teaching as a career, including training, innovation and community engagement, helped a Chicago-area district increase its retention rate by 23 percent in just three years.
The president noted the need to fight Los Angeles fires, but the water would go elsewhere in the state primarily to aid farmers. Environmentalists complained the move was unlawful.
Enjoying momentum thanks to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as federal health secretary, vaccine skeptics are pushing state-level bills to block mandates and give parents and workers greater latitude to opt out.
AI caused less damage through misinformation or election administration than predicted in 2024. New laws meant to combat political deepfakes, meanwhile, went largely unenforced.
Bruce Tarr, Republican leader of the Massachusetts Senate. Tarr was objecting to the budget proposal released by Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, which calls for a 7.4 percent spending increase. Tarr said increased spending and bonding in areas such as infrastructure and higher education may be popular but argued that stagnating revenues mean the commonwealth should not be taking on so many additional obligations. (WCVB – Jan. 26, 2025)
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