The Simmering GOP Criticism of State and Local ARPA Spending
Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate have been bashing projects paid for with American Rescue Plan Act dollars that they see as wasteful. It could be a sign of further scrutiny to come if they take back one or both chambers of Congress.
What the Revival of ‘Build Back Better’ Could Mean for State and Local Funding
Senate Democrats appear to be moving forward with a slimmed down version of the social and environmental spending package following a failed push last year.
FEMA Wants to End Flood Insurance for the Nation’s Riskiest Properties
Democrats and counties oppose the idea. Properties that have been flood-damaged multiple times account for nearly half the program’s payouts over the years.
State and Local Leaders Call for Overhaul of Nation’s 911 System
A group that includes mayors, police chiefs and state officials wants to rethink who should respond to calls for help.
Republicans Look to Reverse Biden’s Infrastructure Permitting Changes
They’re raising concerns that reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act will slow down projects, now that the Biden administration has scrapped a Trump-era rules rewrite.
$750M Headed to States For New Gun Control Initiatives
But legal experts say a key part for states—red flag laws—could be in jeopardy after the conservative Supreme Court struck down New York’s gun law last week.
Supreme Court Ruling Erodes State and Local Power Over Gun Laws
The decision in the New York case will make it more difficult to keep people from carrying firearms outside the home. It does allow governments to ban guns in ‘sensitive places,’ but further court battles are likely ahead to determine how that looks.
Here's What the Gun Safety Deal Would Mean for States
In a compromise, Democrats backed off on using funds only to encourage states to pass red flag laws that enable authorities to seize guns from people considered threatening, opening millions in federal incentive funding for "crisis intervention" as well.
A Patchwork of State Red Flag Laws is Likely Under the Gun Safety Deal
Congressional negotiators plan to give states leeway designing the laws to seize firearms from people considered dangerous. It could mean a wide range of approaches balancing safety with gun rights.
House Republicans Attack ARPA as ‘Boondoggle.’ Mayor, Democrats Say it Prevented Layoffs, Saved Lives
The clash is the latest instance of GOP lawmakers assailing pandemic relief spending under the American Rescue Plan Act.
Why Flexibility for States is a Central Part of the Gun Safety Deal
Details of the package are still coming into focus. But senators are emphasizing that states will hold heavy sway when it comes to shaping the red flag laws the legislation seeks to incentivize.
The Big Question About Red Flag Laws With the Gun Safety Deal
Under a bipartisan U.S. Senate framework, it'll be left to states to decide how to move ahead with the laws. How many will actually do so and how far they will go remains to be seen.
School Districts to Receive $500M in Federal Funds to Buy Electric Buses
The Biden administration recently announced the new funding for this year, in addition to $5 billion in infrastructure act funds, for school districts to replace polluting diesel buses. But making the switch to electric will be challenging for some communities.
Are States and Localities Wasting Their ARPA Funds? Some in Congress Want to Know
The Treasury Department is not monitoring if governments are using the recovery money properly, Republican senators charge. They are asking the Government Accounting Office to investigate.
Supreme Court Could Make it Harder For States and Localities to Keep Guns Off Streets
The high court is expected to strike down laws in several states that restrict people from carrying guns in public, potentially setting off a firestorm of court battles.
Big City Health Agencies Look to Solve Staff Shortfalls
Federal grant funding to help could soon be on the way.
Steps Toward Effectively Spending the Federal Broadband Funding
A new McKinsey report says states have a huge opportunity, but they need a dedicated team and be ready to assess where broadband is available already, among other things.
Biden Wants to Send Extra Community Development Grants to Underserved Neighborhoods
The president is proposing a $195 million Community Development Block Grant carveout for 100 of the nation's most disadvantaged communities. But there are questions about how much difference the money can make.
Congress is Looking at Offering Grant Incentives for States to Adopt ‘Red Flag’ Gun Laws
The idea has emerged during talks over possible bipartisan gun legislation following the deadly Uvalde, Texas school shooting. The laws provide a way to temporarily block people seen as posing violent threats from accessing firearms.
Biden’s Executive Order on Policing Could Help Spur Local Reforms
The directive, which includes varied restrictions and alternatives, drew support from reform advocates as well as groups representing law enforcement officers and cities.
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