Governance

  • A close up of Michael Regan
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Federal watchdog urges EPA to develop comprehensive cyber strategy to protect water systems

    The report comes amid a rise in malicious cyberthreats from state-linked and criminal hackers targeting U.S. drinking water and water treatment facilities. 

    By David Jones • Aug. 8, 2024
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Congestion pricing alone won’t solve New York’s traffic problem

    Car-free streets, dedicated bus lanes, lower speed limits and variable toll pricing are among other cities' strategies for success, says TomTom's VP for traffic and travel information.

    By Ralf-Peter Schäfer • Aug. 6, 2024
  • U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in front of a microphone in a U.S. Capitol hearing room.
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    Samuel Corum via Getty Images
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    Some US DOT equity performance goals lack clarity, accuracy, reliability: GAO report

    Actions the Transportation Department could take to better assess its progress on equity goals were among the report's recommendations.

    By • Aug. 5, 2024
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    BanksPhotos via Getty Images
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    Economic development a top priority for mayors, National League of Cities says

    For the first time in the NLC report’s 11-year history, housing is one of the top three themes among the 50 mayoral addresses analyzed. 

    By • July 25, 2024
  • A person in a suit stands at a podium with a microphone. A woman stands behind him with hands clasped in front of her. Behind them are flags.
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    Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    US mayors react to Biden’s election dropout

    President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he is ending his reelection campaign. “He worked hand in hand with us to deliver some of the most consequential legislation for cities,” one mayor said.

    By • July 22, 2024
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    US House appropriations bill would slash DOT grants by $2B in FY2025

    House Republicans set out their priorities for transportation funding but acknowledge that the November election’s outcome will likely decide future spending.

    By • July 22, 2024
  • Participants at a recent roundtable on multilevel climate action and CHAMP during Daring Cities 2024: (left to right) Katja Dörner, Mayor of Bonn, Germany, and chair of the Climate Action Governance Portfolio for the ICLEI Global Executive Committee; Dirk Meyer, representative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development for Germany; and H. E Dr Nawal Al Hosany, UAE.
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    Permission granted by ICLEI
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    Sponsored by ICLEI

    U.S. cities are raising climate ambition through subnational diplomacy

    U.S. cities join a global movement to push for stronger local involvement in national climate plans.

    By Barbara Riedemann • July 22, 2024
  • Several rats on the ground next to full black trash bags.
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    Chanawat Phadwichit via Getty Images
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    Boston has a new anti-rat plan. Here are 3 takeaways.

    “We’re working to make Boston a home for everyone. Except for rats," Mayor Michelle Wu said as the city released a report by a leading urban rat researcher.

    By • July 18, 2024
  • Loper decision ending Chevron deference doctrine
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    Anna Moneymaker / Staff via Getty Images
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    House GOP looks at transportation regulations in light of Chevron doctrine ruling

    Chairs of the Transportation and Infrastructure and House Oversight and Accountability committees asked three Cabinet leaders to compile information dating back to Jan. 20, 2021.

    By • July 16, 2024
  • A billboard over a California highway reads "Extreme Heat Stay Cool Drink Water"
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Proposed OSHA heat rule leaves waste industry with operational questions

    Waste and recycling groups say the proposed standard raises practical questions of how to change schedules and other operations to better protect workers from the heat. 

    By Megan Quinn • July 12, 2024
  • Speaker at ICLEI’s global sustainable cities and regions congress
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    Permission granted by ICLEI / Brazuca Filmes
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    Sponsored by ICLEI

    5 major announcements from ICLEI’s global sustainable cities and regions congress

    Over 1,500 urban leaders from 96 countries addressed key climate and resilience issues at the ICLEI World Congress 2024 in São Paulo, Brazil, paving the way for city and region significance at COP30 in Belém in 2025.

    By Ariel Dekovic • July 8, 2024
  • People in coats and masks stand in line against a building behind a metal fence. Many have large backpacks and bags.
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    Spencer Platt/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    What US mayors want from the next president, Congress

    The creation of a first-ever city mental health block grant, affordable housing investments and gun safety legislation are among the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ requests.

    By • June 27, 2024
  • The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board met to approve the nation's first congestion pricing program.
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    Retrieved from New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
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    MTA votes on New York congestion pricing plan Wednesday

    Gov. Hochul halted the tolling plan for vehicles entering Manhattan's business district. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's board of directors will vote on it as Inrix names New York the world's most congested city.

    By • June 25, 2024
  • A female high school student measures an engine while her instructor Brent Tuttle supervises as part of the LA County Skilled Trades Summers program.
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    Courtesy of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools
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    Los Angeles County’s Skilled Trades Summers initiative engages nearly 400 teens

    Launched by Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, the initiative pays students while they receive hands-on training in fields like solar panel installation.

    By Nish Amarnath • June 24, 2024
  • a group of people stand in a line in front of large white pipes in an indoor facility.
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    Permission granted by Results for America
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    4 US cities driven by data

    Artificial intelligence presents new opportunities for how cities can use data, said Rochelle Haynes, managing director of the What Works Cities Certification program.

    By • June 17, 2024
  • A man wearing a winter coat and scarf stands in front of a garbage truck with the words "100% Electric" printed on the side.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    9 senators call for EPA funding to address landfill methane

    They want more than $6.7 million to go to states for advanced methane detection technology and $5 million for local governments to develop methane reductions plans at municipally owned landfills. 

    By Jacob Wallace • June 11, 2024
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Uber loses gig worker court decision

    The battle over whether gig workers are independent contractors continues. A separate court case will decide the legality of a Lyft- and Uber-backed ballot measure in California that would define them as such.

    By • June 11, 2024
  • People standing on subway platform with train in motion.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    NY governor stops Manhattan congestion pricing plan ‘indefinitely’

    The plan to help fund the transit authority by charging drivers entering Manhattan’s central business district faced fierce opposition from labor unions, taxi drivers and commuters.

    By • June 5, 2024
  • A crowd of mourners stand in front of a mural for Uvalde victims
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    Brandon Bell / Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Uvalde families announce $2M settlement with city, additional lawsuits

    While the families of those killed in a 2022 mass shooting will not pursue further legal action against the city, their legal team said they are suing state-level officers and intend to sue the federal government.

    By Naaz Modan • May 24, 2024
  • A city skyline behind a waterway lined by trees. A boat is in the waterway.
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    pawel.gaul via Getty Images
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    Clean energy fund surplus sparks tension in Pacific Northwest city

    The Portland, Oregon, program has brought in millions of dollars more than originally anticipated, putting some city leaders and climate advocates at odds over how to proceed.

    By • May 16, 2024
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    Sanghwan Kim via Getty Images
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    More money needed for infrastructure fixes: ASCE

    Headwinds such as supply chain challenges and extreme weather are keeping the investment gap from being noticeably reduced, the American Society of Civil Engineers said in a report released Monday.

    By Julie Strupp • May 13, 2024
  • California's Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks at a press conference.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    California bans hidden fees for all businesses starting July 1

    The state will require all mandatory fees be in listed prices, making it harder for restaurants to impose service fees.

    By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 13, 2024
  • A woman with rolling luggafe walks near Uber and Lyft signs.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Uber, Lyft saw rider growth in Q1 but face regulatory challenges

    The ride-hailing companies also see the promise of autonomous vehicles but differ in their outlooks.

    By • May 9, 2024
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    Caroline Colvin/Smart Cities Dive
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    DOL’s ‘unprecedented,’ two-pronged overtime rule adds new HR wrinkles

    Employers must decide whether to incrementally comply with the rule’s salary threshold updates or move straight to compliance with the higher 2025 threshold, attorneys said.

    By Ryan Golden • April 25, 2024
  • A Kenworth electric truck.
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    Courtesy of Kenworth
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    California’s clean-truck rules: a fleet owner’s view

    Although the state’s rules face legal pushback from trucking interests and 19 states, one pioneering fleet owner found surprising benefits as he began buying heavy-duty electric trucks.

    By • April 23, 2024