Policy
This coverage will look at how public leaders establish new policies in a range of crucial areas of government – health, education, public safety, for example – and how these policies impact people’s lives through better services, effective regulations and new programs. This will include stories examining how state and local government approaches policymaking around emerging areas, including artificial intelligence.
The 2023-24 school year saw the highest percentage of kindergarteners exempted from vaccinations, with increases in 40 states and Washington, D.C. In some localities, the so-called health freedom message has led to nonmedical exemption rates as high as 50 percent.
Grant programs too often send money to areas that already have resources. Federal agencies should work with state and local leaders to identify the place-specific needs of regional economies and develop custom projects.
The nation's largest health insurance program is likely to be cut in Congress this year to pay for other priorities. That could have profound ramifications for state budgets and the health-care system.
Stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine now often come laced with deadly amounts of fentanyl. The current wave is driving up mortality among Black and Hispanic Americans particularly.
With 13 states offering coverage, it’s already a $3.9 billion cost. Some state officials say reducing obesity will save programs money in the long run.
Arrests connected to the home-built weapons are growing rapidly in the U.S. and around the world. It’s likely to prove harder for governments and police to keep them out of the hands of criminals and extremists.
State officials face challenges from shrinking revenue and major changes from Washington in shared programs such as education and Medicaid.
They’ve generated over $100 billion in investments in thousands of struggling communities. We have the opportunity to extend and expand the program — and to make it permanent.
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.
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.
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.
Trump promises to seek stiffer sentences, including the death penalty. But there’s still appetite in Congress for policies designed to reduce incarceration.
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.
Many new laws passed by California contain requirements for progress reports. This year, agencies have sent in such reports only 16 percent of the time.
Iowa has helped prompt other states to adopt flat income tax rates. To bring down property taxes, the state has to address local government spending.
Texas state Rep. Armando Martinez has been arguing for years that a law school would help the Rio Grande Valley economy and reduce brain drain. Local colleges are finally working on a plan.
The Court's decision overturning the Chevron doctrine could affect everything from fishing rules to transgender rights under Trump. It could also hamper red states.
In a pivotal year, governments enacted AI laws, strengthened defenses, bridged the broadband gap, and prioritized accessible, user-friendly digital services. As 2025 nears, most jurisdictions still lack fully mature AI frameworks.
Federal law prohibits companies from charging vets for help in filling out disability claims, but there’s no penalty. Maine, New Jersey and New York have passed laws to close this loophole, with more expected to follow.
If legislators approve the request, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission would also get $100 million from Washington to address huge Medicaid and food stamp application delays.
The model, which has been gaining popularity throughout the U.S., presents an opportunity for direct state investment in affordable housing without relying on uncertain federal funds.
Beset by funding issues and questionable program duplication from predominantly white institutions, too many historically black colleges and universities are struggling. We must ensure that these valuable institutions thrive.
The states have trigger laws to end coverage if the feds end funding for expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Other states may make cuts if funding gets rolled back.
Bird flu is affecting more and more dairy cattle. There’s no sign yet of human-to-human spread, but new dimensions of the outbreak continue to emerge.
A 1998 ban on dual-language courses was repealed in 2016, but they still have not fully bounced back or hired enough teachers. Texas enrolls 40 percent of its English learners in such programs compared to 10 percent in California.
GOP lawmakers want to alter the way state supreme court justices are selected or elected. Some conservative causes in the states, notably abortion bans, have been undermined by court rulings.
The Biden administration approved the state’s own plan to offer coverage to 42,000 families. But Gov. Ron DeSantis is worried about its requirement to offer coverage for a full year.
The program brings together students from four universities. Coming from different backgrounds, they learn how to interact respectfully and absorb challenging perspectives.
Trump has vowed to eliminate the Department of Education in his second term. Even if he stops short, the administration will bring policy changes to colleges and universities and new scrutiny to diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
Last month, Massachusetts voters approved a measure ending the requirement that students pass a test to graduate. In 2012, half the states required such tests, but the number will soon drop to a half-dozen.
