Governance & Finance
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OpinionPut communities before political parties
Elected officials must be willing to acknowledge and confront entrenched interests, political party pressure and cumbersome rules if they want to deliver on their promises.
By Ebonni Chrispin • Oct. 8, 2026 -
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County, state financial leaders call for more federal housing support
“We know our communities, and we're ready to build. We just need a federal partner willing to build with us,” Coconino County, Arizona, Treasurer Sarah Benatar said.
By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 8, 2026 -
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What the Senate permitting bill means for local infrastructure projects
The bipartisan proposal would streamline reviews and permitting and require data centers to pay for their share of transmission costs. Here's what local government associations think of it.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 8, 2026 -
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More diverse housing types could result from new laws in California
From cheaper ADUs to streamlined “missing middle” housing to high-rises in transit-rich cities, the state adopted a slew of housing reforms.
By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 7, 2026 -
Robyn Griggs Lawrence/Smart Cities Dive
Plan now for 2027’s top smart city conferences and events
Technology, transportation, housing, climate, finance and more are on the agenda for local government leaders at these upcoming gatherings.
By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Oct. 6, 2026 -
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The $2 trillion growth opportunity hiding in small cities
“Micropolitan” communities must build the infrastructure, workforce and partnerships to attract venture capital, according to a report from McKinsey and Heartland Forward.
By Stephanie Kanowitz • Oct. 6, 2026 -
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Effort to streamline housing environmental review standards, regulations kicks off at HUD, USDA
The agencies signed an MOU to advance deregulatory measures for rural housing outlined in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 5, 2026 -
Spencer Platt/Getty Images via Getty Images
Affordable housing ‘fast track’ plan targets low-production NYC neighborhoods
Twelve districts contributed just 1.1% of the city’s new affordable housing in the past five years, the city says.
By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 2, 2026 -
Courtesy of American Hotel & Lodging Association
$467M affordable housing funding round gets LA City Council sign-off
The record-breaking amount, which comes from sales taxes on high-value homes, will be used to build and preserve affordable housing.
By Ryan Kushner • Oct. 1, 2026 -
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NYC pied-à-terre tax rollout must start again, judge rules
The Staten Island judge voided the city’s 17,000 mailed notices to homeowners. The city is expected to challenge the decision, Politico reported.
By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 30, 2026 -
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Court blocks FEMA from tying public safety grants to election policies
The ruling clears the way for more than $200 million in funding for SWAT teams, bomb squads and other local preparedness efforts.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 30, 2026 -
Courtesy of American Public Transportation Association
Surface Transportation LegislationSteep cuts to federal transit funding take effect Thursday
Smaller communities and rural towns are "especially vulnerable” to the public transit and passenger rail cuts, according to the American Public Transportation Association.
By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 29, 2026 -
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State AGs push Congress for AI safety, transparency
Their proposal would pause AI research until the creation of a federal department that would regulate the technology.
By Jim Tyson • Sept. 28, 2026 -
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Opportunity zones were meant to spur investment. Their impact is unclear, a GAO report shows.
Revamped rules have reduced the number of low-income areas receiving the tax credits, the congressional watchdog found, and investment tends to flow to cities where development is already underway.
By Vicky Uhland • Sept. 28, 2026 -
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OpinionOn clean energy, bigger is not always better
When Congress revisits clean-energy tax policy, lawmakers should restore incentives for locally driven solar and storage projects, writes Edward Yim at Lawyers for Good Government.
By Edward Yim • Sept. 25, 2026 -
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Mayors confront affordability crisis as costs rise
Affordable housing tops city leaders’ concerns as the increased cost of living ripples across local economies, a U.S. Conference of Mayor survey found.
By Stephanie Kanowitz • Sept. 25, 2026 -
Courtesy of California High-Speed Rail Authority
California High-Speed Rail Authority’s ‘wasteful’ spending criticized by its inspector general
The watchdog questioned over $2 million in expenses the authority paid for consultants while facing a financial crisis.
By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 23, 2026 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
As AI threats grow, governors propose more guardrails — including a ‘kill switch’
California, New York and Illinois governors unveiled AI oversight initiatives. President Donald Trump has pledged not to hinder the industry’s momentum.
By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 23, 2026 -
Alex Wong via Getty Images
US DOT’s new road safety plan emphasizes reducing congestion, national AV strategy
The 2026 National Roadway Safety Strategy gives priority to rural and tribal communities while relying on advanced technology to reduce preventable crashes.
By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 21, 2026 -
Andrew Harnik/Getty via Getty Images
OpenAI, GSA extend discounted AI services to local governments
A multiyear agreement removes a $15 monthly licensing fee for governments. The federal arrangement with the AI provider will extend to local governments for the first time.
By Ryan Kushner • Sept. 21, 2026 -
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Local water projects on path to federal support as WRDA 2026 clears House
The Water Resources Development Act of 2026 targets flood protection, ports, waterways and water supply while giving communities more tools to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 18, 2026 -
Courtesy of California High-Speed Rail Authority
OpinionWhy the U.S. can’t build high-speed rail — and how to change that
A national railroad infrastructure bank could bring federal, state and private-sector interests together to build and operate HSR corridors, a Commuter Rail Coalition board member writes.
By Jonathan McDonald • Sept. 17, 2026 -
Ethan Miller via Getty Images
Las Vegas high-speed rail project may hinge on $6B federal loan
Brightline’s passenger rail projects in Florida and California haven’t made required equity and bond payments. Can they continue without new financing?
By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 16, 2026 -
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Utility costs could put pressure on cities’ finances, S&P experts warn
S&P Global analysts see a “simmering risk” from high electricity and water costs but momentum in affordable housing and sustainable debt.
By Vicky Uhland • Sept. 16, 2026 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Cities, states sue DHS over plan to deny green cards to immigrants who use public benefits
The change would shift costs to local governments and discourage eligible residents from accessing benefits, the lawsuits allege.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 15, 2026
