Governance & Finance: Page 10

  • Two men and two woman seated on a stage in front of a backdrop that reads "NLC - National League of Cities."
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    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
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    Nearly 3,000 city leaders gathered in Washington last week. Here’s what they had to say.

    Mayors, council members and nonprofit leaders heard from Vice President JD Vance, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and others at the National League of Cities meeting.

    By • March 21, 2025
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    Mobile servicing and specialized service centers keep public sector fleets in good working order

    Local government fleet managers want to keep their vehicles rolling. Fleet service options can help keep vehicles on the road.

    By Michael Keating • March 20, 2025
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    Courtesy of California High-Speed Rail Authority
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    Can USDOT kill California high-speed rail?

    Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told the Federal Railroad Administration to review the Los Angeles-to-San Francisco project with an eye toward clawing back $4 billion in federal funds.

    By • March 20, 2025
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    Column

    These cities underwent the most (and least) changes in the past five years, study says

    A recent study conducted explores which U.S. cities have undergone the biggest transformations over the past five years—and which have remained largely the same.

    March 19, 2025
  • Man standing in a suit in front of a U.S. and EPA flags.
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    (2025). "EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin Launches the Greatest Day of Deregulation in American History" [Video]. Retrieved from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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    EPA to review ‘waters of the U.S.’ rule

    The rule defines which wetlands or bodies of water fall under the Clean Water Act. The three previous presidential administrations have adjusted its scope.

    By Mary Salmonsen • March 19, 2025
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    Column

    Top govtech trends for 2025

    Amid rising economic pressures, workforce shortages and shifting citizen expectations, emerging technologies and approaches like AI and network-powered procurement will redefine what's possible for state and local governments in the year ahead.

    By Tom Amburgey • March 18, 2025
  • Woman and man seated on a stage in front of a banner that reads "NLC - National Leage of Cities."
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    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
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    City leaders name housing, public safety and infrastructure as top issues

    The National League of Cities Congressional City Conference brought together 3,000 city leaders to discuss these issues, with appearances from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Vice President JD Vance.

    By • March 18, 2025
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Up to $51B in transportation grant awards at risk, advocacy group says

    Transportation for America analyzed a leaked Department of Transportation policy memo that targets road safety, bicycle and electric vehicle infrastructure projects.

    By • March 17, 2025
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    Choose from a variety of fuel storage tanks to meet municipal needs

    Fuel storage tanks serve a variety of applications in local government, including generator backup, fleets and grounds maintenance.

    By Michael Keating • March 13, 2025
  • Man is a suit at a podium in front of a sign that reads "NLC - National League of Cities"
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    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
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    JD Vance calls for zoning, regulation reform to improve housing affordability

    Vice President JD Vance, speaking at the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference, also blamed immigrants for competing with U.S. citizens for housing.

    By • March 13, 2025
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    EPA revisiting dozens of climate, environment rules in ‘day of deregulation’

    The agency said it would roll back a range of rules and programs, including some that are foundational to its efforts to address climate change. A new WOTUS definition is expected, as well as rollbacks to an emissions reporting program.

    By Jacob Wallace • March 13, 2025
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    New approaches to procurement can drive innovation in public transit

    The lengthy process from RFP to equipment delivery can result in trains that are already obsolete when they go into service. New technologies and procurement approaches could help.

    By Gabriel J. Lopez-Bernal • March 13, 2025
  • A man at a podium with a sign reading "National League of Cities Congressional City Conference" surrounded by other men and women.
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    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
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    Mayors condemn ongoing federal funding freeze

    Infrastructure, child care, Meals on Wheels and after-school programs are among those impacted, elected officials and nonprofit leaders said at a National League of Cities meeting this week.

    By • March 12, 2025
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    The federal government ‘clawed back’ grant money from an NYC bank account—here’s why that’s possible

    A lawsuit filed by New York City against the Trump administration raises the question: Can the federal government recoup grant money from a city's bank account? From a technical standpoint, the answer is yes.

    By • March 11, 2025
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    Column // Economic Oppportunity

    Stronger together: The power of collaborative community solutions

    When local governments, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions and private companies come together with a shared vision, they can tackle complex problems in ways that communities alone cannot.

    By Katie O'Connor and Jamal Lewis • March 11, 2025
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Local government impacts of President Trump’s first 50 days

    President Donald Trump wasted no time in canceling or halting many of former President Biden’s initiatives that provided support to local governments. State, city and nonprofit leaders are turning to the courts to fight back.

    By Smart Cities Dive Staff • March 11, 2025
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    Recycling batteries and bulbs can help local governments hit their sustainability targets

    City and county administrators can take several steps to make their communities more sustainable, including using local companies for recycling needs.

    By Michael Keating • March 10, 2025
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    Stadiums

    Minor league baseball is helping cities hit a revitalization home run

    Some mid-sized cities have taken the celebration and excitement of opening day and turned it into a year-round return on investment by building hometown baseball stadiums, creating a focal point for downtown revitalization.

    By Michelle Havich • March 7, 2025
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    US DOT asks DC transportation authorities to focus on cutting crime

    Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy directed Amtrak, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the District Department of Transportation to report and take action to improve safety.

    By • March 7, 2025
  • James Earp
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    James Earp

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    Exemplary Public Servants

    Emphasizing ‘people over position’: 2023 Exemplary Public Servant James Earp

    As city manager, Earp has fostered inclusivity and built a sense of ownership among city employees, which has led to a more efficient city with stronger bonds to its residents, his nominator said.

    By • March 5, 2025
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    With spend visibility tool, agencies can consolidate procurement efforts to preferred contracts

    Having a holistic view of spending can be a differentiator when it comes to strengthening procurement processes and implementing strategic practices.

    By Michael Keating • March 4, 2025
  • A detailed landscape design plan showing topographic contour lines, orange building illustrations, green trees, and directional arrows. The layout includes winding paths and clustered vegetation. A triangular scale ruler lies on the left, and three colored pencils, colored blue, green, and yellow, rest on the lower right corner of the page.
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    Opinion

    Energy bills are crushing low-income families. Here’s how state and local policymakers can help.

    Recent research found that a quarter of low-income households in the U.S. spend more than 15% of their income on energy bills, compared to the overall median of just 2.9%.

    By Roxana Ayala • Feb. 28, 2025
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    DOT funding priorities benefit Whiter, wealthier communities: Urban Institute

    A plan to tie funding to marriage and birth rates would leave behind historically underserved communities, according to an Urban Institute analysis.

    By Kalena Thomhave • Feb. 25, 2025
  • A Boston elevated train pulls into a station on a cloudy day.
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    Maddie Meyer via Getty Images
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    FTA postpones enforcement of state safety oversight rule for rail transit

    Though the rule was effective Jan. 1, the Federal Transit Administration is  postponing enforcement to March 20 in line with a Jan. 20 executive order.

    By • Feb. 25, 2025
  • A man wearing a gray and black jacket with the emblem of the city of Baltimore on the left side.
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    Rob Carr via Getty Images
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    23 AGs line up behind Baltimore in CFPB case

    Efforts to shutter the agency are against public interest, the AGs said. The CFPB’s attorneys argue it’s in the public interest to act “consistent[ly] with the philosophy of a new administration brought about by a national election."

    By Dan Ennis • Feb. 25, 2025