Federal and City Relations
New bill would convert unused government buildings into affordable housing
California Reps. Adam Schiff and Jimmy Gomez cosponsored legislation that would direct the Housing and Urban Development Secretary to help refashion certain federal, state and local government properties into affordable residential rental projects.
Billions in earmarks headed to states and cities
The funding comes despite conservative opposition to the federal government paying for specific local projects.
$3.3B in federal grants announced for communities split apart by highways
The one-time infusion of cash for highway caps, bike trails and other improvements shows the Biden administration’s priorities for one of its most high-profile infrastructure initiatives.
Why it’s tough to stamp out housing voucher discrimination
In many places, it's illegal for landlords to discriminate against tenants using Section 8 vouchers. Enforcing those rules is difficult, but governments are forging ahead.
Biden unveils $4.9B in big-ticket infrastructure grants
Three dozen projects got the green light and millions of federal dollars. The president also used the announcement to bolster his reelection campaign.
When a vendor pays a mayor $13,000, is it a bribe? The U.S. Supreme Court will decide
A former Indiana mayor asked the high court to intervene in his corruption case and resolve a disparity in which “gratuities” from outsiders are considered OK in some courts, but not in others.
Mayors urge ATF to finalize rules to expand background checks
The proposed rules would close the “gun show loophole,” which is one of several loopholes that currently allows one-fifth of all the guns sold in the nation to be sold without background checks.
Ahead of busy Thanksgiving travel, improvements to air transportation touted
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted a low airline cancellation rate, airport upgrades and the hiring of more air traffic controllers. He also cautioned that funding squabbles in Congress could hurt progress.
As cities struggle to shelter migrants, calls for federal action grow
State and local leaders have resorted to desperate measures—sometimes circumventing the federal government—to find housing and support for the influx of asylum seekers. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
The federal government has more than 8,000 vacant properties. Why aren’t they being used to house the homeless?
A 2016 law says unused federal properties should be turned over to help the homeless. But a complex process and bureaucratic requirements are making that nearly impossible.
‘Reconnecting Communities’ grant applications expanded
The federal Transportation Department announced $3.35 billion in grant opportunities to reconnect communities divided by highways, rail lines and other infrastructure.
Mayors: There’s a Mental Health Crisis in Every City
It is causing drug overdoses and homelessness in cities across America. But with the debt deal to freeze spending, it is uncertain whether federal help is coming.
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