State & Local Roundup: The Child Tax Credit Gets a Boost
President Biden this week proposed bringing back the 2021 expanded credit amidst moves by states to enact their own. Plus: A red state pot rebuke; Tennessee restricts Nashville’s city council; Boston transit troubles; and more news you can use from around the country.
Here’s What’s In Biden’s Budget Plan for State and Local Governments
The administration, among other things, wants to dramatically increase funding for housing and restore the child tax credit.
5 Ways Local Governments Can Make Spending Smarter
COMMENTARY | There’s a lot wrong with the way governments purchase goods and services. But there are also ways to bring creativity and efficiency to procurement, harnessing it for innovation and economic growth.
Colorado Expands Unemployment Insurance—And Others Are Watching Closely
Colorado’s low-cost approach to getting benefits out the door quickly could provide a model for adapting or modernizing public assistance programs elsewhere.
Republicans Want to Incentivize States to Recover Stolen Unemployment Benefits
The House Ways and Means Committee approved a bill this week that would let states keep 25% of any money they recover that was fraudulently obtained or improperly given out.
Nurturing Entrepreneurship Boosts Economic Growth
COMMENTARY | States should direct more money from incentives to small businesses and entrepreneurs and less to attracting large companies.
Treasury Reopens ‘Help Desk’ for States and Localities
The call center, which fielded 300 calls and about 2,000 emails a week before it was shut down, provided governments with assistance on the handling of various pandemic-related programs.
There's 'Clear Evidence' of Bias in Past US State Spending
COMMENTARY | New research shows a direct link between constituent race, class, and immigration status and US state spending between 1921 and 1961.
‘Catastrophic Financially.’ What It Means for Cities If the Debt Ceiling Isn’t Raised
A default on the federal level could discourage investors from providing the money cities need to function, build affordable housing, fix roads and make other improvements.
How One County Fixed Its Broken Property Tax System
Property taxes are considered the ultimate “fair” tax. But that fairness hinges on the assumption that homes are being assessed accurately, regularly and thoroughly.
Some Towns Get Funding Boost from Census Corrections
Census population count corrections have started to roll out, but officials say the bureau needs to be more transparent about the process as valuable funding opportunities remain on the line.
Local Governments Still Counting on Pandemic Aid Despite Clawback Threat
Officials continue to deal with food insecurity, rising housing costs and learning gaps as House Republicans consider whether to recall American Rescue Plan Act funds in the Treasury Department's coffers.
EPA Announces $2B to Fight Forever Chemicals
The funds are part of a multiyear program to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that contaminate drinking water.
Putting Federal Aid into Local Hands Works, White House Says
State budget surpluses are a sign the American Rescue Plan worked, Biden adviser Gene Sperling told the National Association of Counties conference.
The Politics of ESG Investing
COMMENTARY | Leaders in conservative states are hesitant to adopt ESG-related principles. Are their positions purely political or substantive as well?
States Are Scoring Millions in Tax Revenue from Sports Betting
Ahead of this weekend’s Super Bowl, a Route Fifty analysis shows the states where income from sports gambling was the highest.
Why Treasury Was Slow to Expand a Key Small Business Program
Pandemic relief legislation boosted funding for the initiative to $10 billion from $1.5 billion. A new watchdog report looks at the reasons the department had delays getting the money to states.
One City’s Attempt to Bring Racial Equity to Home Repairs
Established in 2015, Detroit’s zero-interest home repair program has kept hundreds of Black homeowners in their homes.
The End Is Near for Outdated Government Financial Reporting
COMMENTARY | Changes to federal law will require state and local governments to do what they should have done years ago for the benefit of investors and other stakeholders.
A Governor Backs a Major Funding Boost for Counties and Cities
His plan involves sharing 20% of state sales tax collections with localities and giving them more latitude to raise taxes.
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