Management
Growth of Private Tree Regulation Spurs Fear of Backlash
Will the recent tangle over the regulation of trees on private land in Texas spread to other cities and states?
Management
When Local Council Members Test the Limits of Their Authority
In most cases, a city or county’s governing body “doesn’t manage day-to-day operations. That’s management’s job.” But the divisions aren’t always clearly defined.
Public Safety
Mostly Cut Off, Puerto Ricans Flock to the Few Spots With Cellphone Service
STATE AND LOCAL NEWS ROUNDUP | Amid unrest, St. Louis mayor wants investigation of police actions; report finds mental health care troubles in Kansas; and North Jersey city fumes over mayor’s guilty plea.
An Effort for More Efficient, Agile, and Innovative State and Local Government
In order to better understand cloud migration in state and local government, Government Business Council (GBC) undertook an in-depth research study.
Tech & Data
The Genomic Revolution Reaches the City Crime Lab
How will law enforcement handle the deluge of new information available from DNA?
Smart Cities
What the New Urban Anchors Owe Their Cities
Corporations like Google and Amazon reap the spoils of winner-take-all urbanism. Here’s how they can also bear greater responsibility.
Health & Human Services
Are Medicaid’s Payment Rates So Low They’re Discriminatory?
A suit in California says the state’s Medicaid program pays doctors so poorly, the mostly Hispanic patients that use the program aren’t getting timely access to quality medical care. Lawyers working on the case believe it is the first to sue Medicaid using a state anti-discrimination statute.
Public Safety
The Persistent, Wide Racial Gap in Attitudes Toward the Police
A Pew report shows that nearly a third of white Americans under the age of 30 have “cold” feelings for the police. Recent court rulings and decisions made by the Trump administration this year might help explain why.
Management
Check Out These Giant Pumpkins and Cabbages From 2017 State Fairs
PHOTOS: At one agricultural showcase, the bounties from many counties take center stage.
Health & Human Services
With the Clock Running Out on CHIP Reauthorization, State Officials Are Preparing to Panic
“It’s just insane that it’s come this close and it’s so embroiled. With all the terrible decisions to be made, surely this isn’t a hard decision.”
Health & Human Services
Can Block Grants Save the Day on Health Reform?
States haven’t necessarily proven to be more efficient managers of health care funding than the federal government.
Tech & Data
How One Minnesota City Streamlined Its Web Content Strategy
St. Louis Park’s new site understands residents seek transactional government.
Finance
After Long Fight, Some Farmers Get Relief From High Property Taxes
Agricultural property taxes have skyrocketed and crop prices are down. Farmers are fighting back, sometimes successfully.
Smart Cities
America Needs Amazon More Than Amazon Needs America
U.S. cities are already wining and dining the tech giant over its HQ2.
Management
Wisconsin Mayor Fears Concessions on DACA Could Threaten Other Immigrants
“We’re not willing to trade DACAs for their parents, DACAs for their siblings, DACAs for a wall,” according to Madison’s Paul Soglin.
Smart Cities
Why Cities Are Concerned About Self-Driving Vehicle Legislation in Congress
Language related to preemption and data-sharing are two areas where cities and advocacy groups would like to see changes.
Smart Cities
The Smartphone App That Tells You An Earthquake Is About to Hit
This week's deadly quake in Mexico was yet another test for the country’s sophisticated earthquake warning system.
Public Safety
Puerto Rico Devastated: ‘When We Can Get Outside, We Will Find Our Island Destroyed’
STATE AND LOCAL NEWS ROUNDUP: More states announce their FirstNet opt-in decisions; Mich. Civil Service Commission gives state more power over its workers; and Louisiana has some good budget news for a change.
Health & Human Services
Combating Child Abuse: States Take Action
The number of minors in the child welfare system rose to 7.2 million in 2015, up from 6.6 million in 2014.
Management