Mid-Sized City Mayors Urge Feds Not to Forget Them in Climate Fight
The type of infrastructure investment needed to advance the Biden administration’s climate policy goals could be out of reach for many small and mid-sized cities without federal help.
Additional State and Local Perks Make it Into Senate Covid Relief Bill
Extra money for counties with untaxable public land and provisions that allow localities to spend federal dollars on hazard pay for workers are included in the version approved over the weekend.
States Look to Forgive Unemployment Overpayments
Missouri lawmakers advanced a bill that would waive the federal but not state portion of any mistakenly paid unemployment benefits.
Senate Covid Bill Adds Restrictions on State and Local Aid
The legislation would impose requirements on how states can use the money, and also redirect $10 billion that had been bound for cities and counties.
Biden Criticizes ‘Neanderthal Thinking’ as Two Governors Roll Back Mask Mandates
The Republican governors of Texas and Mississippi this week announced plans to ease public health restrictions, prompting the rebuke from the president.
Covid Infections Fall Steeply in Nursing Homes Since Vaccine Rollout
Since December, infection and death rates among residents and workers in long-term care facilities have significantly declined and fewer health care workers are refusing vaccines.
House to Vote on Elections Bill That Would Set New Standards For States
Supporters say the legislation will protect voter access. Republican officials argue that it will encroach on states’ rights.
House Passes $1.9 Trillion Covid Response Bill
The legislation includes $350 billion in direct aid for state, local, and tribal and territorial governments.
Feds Up Share of FEMA Grants That Must Be Spent on Cybersecurity
The Department of Homeland Security is also evaluating the possibility of a new grant program to help states and localities fund cybersecurity upgrades.
Public Employees’ Use of Personal Phones, Tablets Puts Local Governments at Risk
A cybersecurity report found that 25% of state and local government employees use personal digital devices to telework while only 9% of federal employees do so.
Republicans Grill Interior Nominee Over Potential Energy Job Losses
U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland sought to downplay her previous statements against fracking and drilling, while also reiterating that the Biden administration is committed to shifting toward clean energy.
Smallest Businesses Will Get Special Window to Apply for Federal Relief Funds
The Biden administration announced the change to the Paycheck Protection Program on Monday, along with other measures to improve access to funding for minority-owned businesses.
Vaccine Appointment Link Sharing ‘Highly Problematic’ for Health Departments
Virginia transitioned to a new centralized coronavirus vaccine registration system this week that officials said should help prevent people from passing links they use to schedule shots on to others.
Casting Ballots by Smartphone or Tablet? Elections Officials Want to Expand Online Voting Pilots
A Utah county and West Virginia were among the places that allowed some voters to cast electronic ballots last year.
For Cities, Less Traffic Means Lost Revenue
Cities have seen parking fee and traffic fine collections drop during the pandemic as commuters and tourists stay home and enforcement is relaxed.
Winter Storm Power Outages Lead to Calls for Investigation
At least 4 million people were without power in Texas after freezing temperatures and surging electricity use overwhelmed the state’s grid.
‘Vaccine Tourism’ Leads to Tighter Eligibility Checks
States’ rollout of the coronavirus vaccine has been uneven, and left some people searching for appointments across state lines. Health officials say it’s a problem given scarce resources.
Biden Administration to Ship Covid Vaccine to Community Health Centers
The White House also announced it will increase the weekly allocation of coronavirus vaccines to 11 million doses.
Pennsylvania Voters to Decide Whether to Limit Governor’s Emergency Powers
GOP lawmakers unsuccessfully challenged the Democratic governor’s emergency authority during the coronavirus pandemic. Now they’ve approved a bill that sets up a referendum on the issue.
States to Recoup More Covid Costs From Feds Under Biden Reimbursement Plan
President Biden ordered FEMA to issue retroactive reimbursements to states for National Guard deployments and other costs brought on by the pandemic.
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