Massive Spending Bill Clears Senate, Promising to Unlock Infrastructure Funds for States and Localities
The $1.5 trillion legislation would keep the federal government funded through September. It does not include provisions to grant more flexibility with state and local American Rescue Plan spending. Congress backed off proposed cuts to state aid—for now.
A Call for a Gas Tax Suspension as Biden Bans Russian Oil
New York Republican state lawmakers previously proposed halting the state's gas tax to alleviate the effects of inflation.
House Passes Spending Bill, After Ditching Plan to Claw Back State Aid
A proposal that emerged on Wednesday could have involved rescinding around $7 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funding from 30 states. But it was cast aside amid objections from Democratic lawmakers and state officials.
Nearly 500 US Cities Have Average Home Prices of $1M
Roughly 150 cities were added to a list of places where house prices topped $1 million in 2021, according to a new report.
As Inflation Drives Up Prices, State Lawmakers Eye Cutting Food and Sales Taxes
More than a dozen states are considering such cuts, as others eye income tax reductions.
6 Democratic Governors Push For Federal Gas Tax Holiday
They’re backing legislation in Congress that would pause the tax until 2023. Gas prices are expected to climb higher as the U.S. cuts off Russian oil imports.
Feds Award $2.2B in Grants to Local Transit Agencies
The money is meant to help with payroll and other day-to-day costs, as some bus and subway operators continue to struggle with ridership declines.
Availability of Affordable Housing a ‘Major Problem’
But opinions about what is affordable vary based on demographic factors, including income, race, ethnicity and age, research shows.
Affordable Housing: In Pandemic Times, What Works and What Doesn’t?
COMMENTARY | Housing affordability has been an important public policy issue since the onset of the coronavirus. An economist explains the research on some popular affordable housing policies.
States Look at Pulling Pension Investments From Russia
The state response to Russia's attack on Ukraine could affect hundreds of millions of dollars in some cases, but the sums are modest compared to overall public pension assets.
White House Moves to Identify 'Disadvantaged' Communities in Line for Federal Funding Boost
The administration wants to steer more money to areas most in need and has released a draft of places that should get more help.
The States and Counties Taking Russian Vodka Off Liquor Store Shelves
Removing Russian-made products from government-run stores “is just the right thing to do,” one official said.
City Leaders Back Biden in Controversy Over Infrastructure Spending
Local transportation officials praised the administration’s focus on how public works dollars could further environmental and social goals, despite pushback from state DOTs and Republicans.
Commerce Issues States $277M in Grants to Build Out Broadband
Millions were dispersed across 12 states to develop stronger internet infrastructure, a key mission in the Biden administration agenda.
The Pandemic's Profound Impact on Localities
Covid-19 has changed where many Americans want to live and what they think the future looks like for their communities, according to the Pew Research Center.
Making DEI the Cornerstone of the Public Finance Workforce
COMMENTARY | There is an opportunity to create a more diverse public finance sector with the expected increases in employee turnover in the coming years.
State and Local Public Pension Plan Funding Up
The amount of money in government plans grew from 2020 to 2021 because of strong investment returns and required contributions, a new report shows.
States With the Highest and Lowest Gasoline Prices
California continues to have the highest gas prices in the U.S. and Oklahoma has the lowest, according to a recent report.
The States That Raised Their Minimum Wages
Twenty-one states increased their minimum wages this year and nine more planning to boost them later in 2022.
Cutting the Gas Tax Might Be Popular, But It Would Not Provide Much Relief
Governors, state officials and Congress are considering rolling back gas taxes, even though experts say customers won’t notice the difference.
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