Author Archive
Brent Woodie
Finance
Best and Worst State Economies for 2021
The 50 states and Washington, D.C., were assessed by one personal finance website across 29 key indicators of economic performance and strength. Utah had the best economy and Hawaii the worst.
- By Brent Woodie
Digital Government
What Law Enforcement Leaders Need to Know About Use-of-Force Data
The results of collecting and analyzing data can provide critical information to minimize unnecessary use-of-force incidents, according to the Police Executive Research Forum.
- By Brent Woodie
Infrastructure
3 Essential Elements Governments Need to Expand Broadband
Dedicated offices, planning and technical assistance and competitive grant programs are key components for effective broadband efforts, says The Pew Charitable Trusts.
- By Brent Woodie
Workforce
Middle-income and Frontline Workers Struggle to Find Affordable Housing
The pandemic has exacerbated the crisis for these households being able to buy and rent homes, according to a report by the Urban Land Institute.
- By Brent Woodie
Management
The Top 10 States for Doctors
These states ranked high because of low malpractice payouts, physician compensation and overall health system performance, according to rankings by a medical information website.
- By Brent Woodie
Management
How Governments Can Help Elevate the Local Workforce Post-Pandemic
As the pandemic subsides, county leaders are transitioning from reactive problem-solving to proactive planning to address the future of work.
- By Brent Woodie
Management
The US Cities 'Taking Bold Steps’ to Tackle the Most Pressing Challenges
Bloomberg Philanthropies selected 50 cities worldwide, including 14 here, as Bloomberg Mayors Challenge finalists for their innovative problem-solving ideas.
- By Brent Woodie
Infrastructure
The Benefits and Challenges of Electric Car Policy
At an annual summit of transportation policymakers, local and state leaders discussed the future of transitioning from gasoline-fueled vehicles to electric-powered ones.
- By Brent Woodie
Digital Government
As High-tax States Lose Residents, Low-Tax States Gain
About 20% of homebuyers cite lower taxes as the main reason they move to another state, but there are several other important factors, according to a recent analysis.
- By Brent Woodie
Digital Government
Best and Worst States for City Manager Jobs
The median salary for the highest 10% of city manager positions is $227,000, but not all these executives nationwide fare as well when it comes to pay and opportunities, according to a recent report.
- By Brent Woodie
Digital Government
Baltimore Latest City to Consider Banning Facial Recognition Technology
The Maryland city joins several other localities that have banned or are assessing the controversial technology, or are limiting its scope and use.
- By Brent Woodie
Digital Government
Public School Spending Per Student Up 5%, Biggest Increase in 11 Years
A U.S. Census Bureau report shows that elementary and secondary schools received $751.7 billion total from all revenue sources and that states contributed the greatest share of funds.
- By Brent Woodie
Infrastructure
States Invested in Broadband Expansion Despite 2020 Budget Woes
The need to move routine activities online during the pandemic sharpened policymakers’ focus on expanding access to high-speed, reliable internet for residents, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts.
- By Brent Woodie
Management
Report: Grocery Taxes Impede Food Security for Low-income Americans
About two-thirds of all U.S. counties tax grocery foods, which creates “serious burdens” for the families living at or below the poverty line, according to a Cornell University study.
- By Brent Woodie
Digital Government
States Bolster Data Security Technology in Response to Covid-19, Survey Finds
Governments have faced significant technology challenges during the pandemic, with 79% saying they faced major issues adopting and expanding remote work, according to the National Association of State Technology Directors.
- By Brent Woodie
Infrastructure
US Libraries Need $32B for Construction and Renovations, Estimates Show
The American Libraries Association says the average public library building is more than 40 years old and hundreds of buildings are more than 100 years old.
- By Brent Woodie
Management
Violent Crime Up in Major US Cities Since Covid-19 Pandemic Began
But overall crime rates are lower when compared to prior years, according to a report by the National Commission on Covid-19 and Criminal Justice.
- By Brent Woodie
Digital Government
The Top 10 Emerging US Real Estate Markets
These locations have home prices that are rising, strong economies and a wealth of activities, according to an analysis by Realtor.com and The Wall Street Journal.
- By Brent Woodie
Infrastructure
EPA Announces Intent to Give Governments Back More Authority Over Clean Water Act Rule
Last year 21 state attorneys general sued over a rule change to the act implemented by the Trump administration, saying it lessens states’ abilities to combat pollution.
- By Brent Woodie
Digital Government
Report: Governments Need to Share More Data to Solve Complex Issues, Grow Economy
But governments should use the expertise of private companies to help guard sensitive data that is shared, according to a Georgetown University study.
- By Brent Woodie