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The city had to reshuffle more than $50 million to address the unexpected shortfall, driven by overtime costs due to staffing shortages. The Fire Department alone needed an injection of $33 million to pay for unexpected overtime.
The impending defeats of three big-city mayors tell us a lot about how politics have changed over the past four years. Also, Utah is giving up on universal mail voting.
The public-sector workforce is plagued with vacancies. Some states are looking to recruit former federal workers who’ve recently lost their jobs.
Forests and other natural and working lands are climate-resilience allies. Managing them better offers common ground where economic growth, public safety and environmental progress align.
Republican presidents used to talk enthusiastically about empowering states and localities. That isn’t happening now.
A state-run insurance program is running out of money following the L.A. wildfires. Lawmakers are looking for ways to shore it up as private insurers leave the state.
Republicans are promoting private school choice, while Democrats are discussing K-12 funding increases. Most governors, however, are dodging the question of how to boost student achievement through curriculum changes.
Legislators have gone so far as to claim it’s “a myth” that courts have the power to strike down laws. So far, however, the most aggressive proposals to strip power from judges have been defeated.
Rapid wage growth has helped drive a record number of people working in government.
Mayor Matt Mahan said too many people are dying on the streets. His proposal would push people into services after they refuse shelter three times in 18 months.
Democrat Tina Kotek is backing legislation that would allow the state to take control of a quarter of underperforming schools’ budgets, as well as require those schools to hire tutors.
The Fortify Homes Program gives $10,000 grants for installing hurricane-resistant roofs. According to the legislative auditor, participants have lowered insurance rates by 22 percent.
Pedestrian deaths dipped slightly in the first half of 2024. California’s 13 percent reduction in deaths accounted for most of the net decline around the country.
Medicaid covers nearly half of all births in the U.S. and 80 million children. But the age and working status of recipients varies widely across the country.
Austin, Dallas, Houston and others face shortfalls. An analysis of the nation’s 75 biggest cities found that 54 are short of funds with a collective $300 billion in debt.
Legislators are expected to pass a bill this week that would take oversight of the police away from the city. That Civil War-era approach had been ended by state voters in 2012.
The Republican has made addressing law enforcement response to mass shootings a top priority, but he does not favor stricter gun control measures.
There's bipartisan agreement that immigration reform is essential. But mass deportation brings its own risks to communities.
Citizens in half the states have the power to place initiatives or referendums on the ballot. That process is under threat, but in an era of partisan gerrymandering and unresponsive legislatures we must keep it viable.
Local governments and school districts are now forbidden from requiring masks to prevent the spread of disease. Masks can still be required for certain types of jobs such as health care and working with hazardous materials.
Missouri brings more children into foster care than the national average but places some in inappropriate settings. The bill would require more residential care centers along with a set of other protections and tax credits for youth programs.
The 30-year-old airport will be under renovation for years as officials plan continuous upgrades to handle increased traffic, including construction of a seventh runway by 2035.
Police have increasingly adopted drones and ground robots to supplement their work. But departments often lack clear policies on the tools’ uses.
They can call attention to important social causes, and they can invest in their communities. They might even hold public office themselves.
International migration drove growth in many states, notably in the Northeast. Florida grew the most, gaining just over 2 percent in overall population.
The share of electricity used by data centers is projected to triple by 2028. A Harvard study warns that consumers could end up subsidizing their utility bills.
Currently, the “advanced computing surcharge” on companies such as Amazon and Microsoft is capped at $9 million apiece. Eliminating the cap could triple such revenues to $200 million.
Democrat Josh Shapiro has ordered state agencies to give fired federal workers hiring preference, akin to that given to state employees. He said Pennsylvania will benefit from their skills and experience.
An upsurge of corporate purchases of single-family homes has sparked legislation in at least half a dozen states this year. Legislators hope to preserve homeownership as a path to building wealth for middle-class families and limit the number of properties owned by large corporations.
Former federal workers offer a range of skills and experience that we need among elected officials at every level of government.
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