State and City Relations
Freedom Caucuses push for conservative state laws, but getting attention is their big success
Eleven states have formal chapters of the State Freedom Caucus Network, which aims to push Republicans to the right.
City officials plead for more say in how AVs are deployed
Autonomous vehicle companies often cut out city transportation agencies with state laws that preempt local regulations. City leaders say that “handcuffs” them as they try to manage traffic and curb space.
Will States Force Localities to Build Affordable Housing?
The need for more housing in America is undeniable. But with localities unlikely to change zoning laws to create more, states are stepping in.
State Efforts to Undercut Local Governance Widen in Scope
Lawmakers have introduced upwards of 650 bills this year preempting the power of cities and other local governments, says a new report. These bills are broad in their approach, looking to “cut out local authority at-large.”
How to Make Office-to-Housing Conversions Work
A panel of experts looked at what it would take to revitalize downtowns by turning offices into homes. They coalesced around five things cities need to do to succeed.
Rank-choice Voting Advances as Election Deniers, Voting Right Limitations Gain Traction
Two states and dozens of other jurisdictions have adopted ranked-choice voting for at least some elections.
Beach Battles: Lawmakers Pushed to Increase Public Shoreline Access
Steep parking fees and other factors can pose barriers to visiting beaches, with some advocates saying restrictive policies reinforce segregation and racial inequality.
How States Are Responding to the Supreme Court's Gun Ruling
New York and California are moving to keep firearms away from sites like playgrounds and bars and out of the hands of people who could commit mass shootings. And the gun control group Giffords is pushing a slate of ideas for new state and local policy.
City Official: State Transportation Agencies Block Street Safety Progress
The Idaho city council president told congressional lawmakers that state policies are designed to make sure vehicles go fast. She and others offered local solutions to make roads safer for drivers and pedestrians.
The Big Opportunity States Are Missing
COMMENTARY | State governments are excluding local governments from major policymaking decisions. There needs to be more collaboration and cooperation between states and localities if we want to see meaningful change in our communities.
Biden Administration Releases $45B for Broadband to States
Guidance for the infrastructure program says states must make affordable broadband available to the middle class, too, and cannot exclude cities from being considered for the funding.
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