Governance & Finance

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    Trump grantmaking order heightens uncertainty for city funding

    The new rule directs federal agencies to align awards with Trump’s policies and gives them power to revoke funds already in place. This threatens the stability of health, safety and infrastructure projects, cities and counties say.

    By Danielle McLean • Aug. 26, 2025
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    Courtesy of SEPTA News
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    Philadelphia-area 20% transit cuts go into effect

    With the Pennsylvania state Legislature unable to agree on funding for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, the agency began cutting service and increasing fares today.

    By • Aug. 25, 2025
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    halbergman via Getty Images
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    As federal funding dries up, 72% of Michigan city leaders fear fiscal problems: survey

    Uncertainty and limited capacity are factors in local governments' lack of preparation, researchers said.

    By • Aug. 25, 2025
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    FTA seeks to eliminate environmental criteria from capital investment grant guidelines

    The Federal Transit Administration requests public comment on updated guidelines that would remove the “social cost of carbon” calculation and make broader changes to the multibillion-dollar program.

    By • Aug. 22, 2025
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    Just_Super via Getty Images
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    Salesforce debuts AI agents for city services

    The tool joins a growing field of AI products intended to increase local government efficiency and responsiveness.

    By • Aug. 21, 2025
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    Travelpixpro via Getty Images
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    Dallas says it’s the first major Texas city to use AI for procurement

    The city’s partnership with Hazel AI aims to cut costs, boost transparency and expand access for small and local businesses. 

    By • Aug. 13, 2025
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    Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    After federal job cuts, initiative aims to redirect talent to local government roles

    Kansas City, Missouri, is the first city to pilot a Spotlight Cities program that matches laid-off federal workers with local government jobs.

    By • Aug. 11, 2025
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Tariffs make transit buses more expensive

    North American bus manufacturer New Flyer reported strong demand for transit buses and a shift away from zero-emission vehicles in its second-quarter earnings call.

    By • Aug. 4, 2025
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Illinois transit authority shifts money to delay service cuts

    The move, approved by the Regional Transportation Authority’s board, will keep the Chicago Transit Authority running as is until mid-2026.

    By • Updated Aug. 28, 2025
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Can cities and states keep their roads in good shape?

    With an influx of pandemic-era funds already spent, many states anticipate funding gaps over the next decade that could threaten road safety and infrastructure reliability.

    By • July 31, 2025
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    halbergman via Getty Images
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    No zoning code? That’s a problem, one Virginia city discovered.

    Procedural missteps can derail even well-supported measures to eliminate single-family zoning — a problem Charlottesville, Virginia, is now addressing.

    By Danielle McLean • July 31, 2025
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    tigerstrawberry via Getty Images
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    Senate tackles housing affordability crisis with bipartisan bill

    Mayors applauded the Senate’s ROAD to Housing Act proposal to speed housing development, cut red tape and fund local innovation. 

    By • July 30, 2025
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    varbenov via Getty Images
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    Municipal codes, financial incentives are driving the retrofitting boom, new research finds

    Nearly half of building executives surveyed believe retrofits meet urban space needs better than new construction, but many cities lack the policy muscle to make them scalable.

    By • July 29, 2025
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    Toa55 via Getty Images
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    Column

    Paper-based payments are gone for good: What state and local governments need to know

    Adopting digital payment methods such as digital wallets can have time and cost-saving benefits for resource-constrained local governments.

    By Jamie Rosenberg • July 28, 2025
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    Toa55 via Getty Images
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    American City & County and Smart Cities Dive are combining

    The AC&C staff will continue reporting on key state and local government issues under the Smart Cities Dive brand.

    By • July 28, 2025
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    Natalie Forman/Smart Cities Dive
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    The Municipal Cost Index is now on Smart Cities Dive. Here’s what you need to know.

    Since 1978, American City & County’s proprietary tool has helped local governments determine the cost of providing services to their residents.

    By • July 28, 2025
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    pookpiik via Getty Images
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    The Municipal Cost Index

    See the August update to this monthly index, developed by American City & County to capture the rising cost of doing business as a local government.

    By , • Updated Aug. 22, 2025
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    halbergman via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    LA passed a $30 minimum wage for hospitality workers. Hotels continue to fight it.

    As hospitality and travel organizations push for a referendum on the Olympic Wage ordinance, city officials face a crossroads between supporting wage justice and risking economic fallout.

    By Noelle Mateer • July 28, 2025
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    Smartphone, connected vehicle data could help states comply with DOT’s ‘Safe Roads’ demand

    Governors must respond by August 30 to the Transportation Department’s letter asking for information on accident-prone arterial roads.

    By • July 25, 2025
  • Ron DeSantis speaks in a navy blue suit and light blue shirt, at a wooden podium that reads "$2 in 2025" in red about a red gas can over the words "Fueling American Freedom" in blue.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Florida governor, CFO launch DOGE-style local government audits

    Broward County and Gainesville are the first communities to receive letters from the governor requesting financial and DEI information and access to offices, data and personnel.

    By Maura Webber Sadovi • July 23, 2025
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    Toa55 via Getty Images
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    Column

    Traffic-related fatalities continue to rise in multiple cities

    Are outdated government operations to blame for Vision Zero failures?

    By Wes Guckert, PTP • July 22, 2025
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    Adobe / Aldeca Productions

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    Sponsored by Constant Contact

    6 top marketing trends for local governments in 2025

    Discover the top trends that will help local governments strengthen relationships with constituents.

    July 21, 2025
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    SHutterStock/1332155009

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    Sponsored by GovOS

    Now entering the self-service era for state and local government

    Government has always been people-based, but agencies must take a new approach to meet future needs.

    July 21, 2025
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    (2025). "Subcommittee Markup of FY26 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bill" [Video]. Retrieved from House Appropriations Committee/YouTube.
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    Amtrak, high-speed rail, public transit take cuts in House 2026 budget proposal

    In a markup session Monday, a House subcommittee proposed slashing the transportation department’s discretionary spending by over $3 billion.

    By • July 15, 2025
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    Toa55 via Getty Images
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    Cities drive most U.S. economic activity: report

    Metro-area economies’ contributions to U.S. economic growth increased for the fifth consecutive year, according to the report released by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, but a S&P Global Market Intelligence representative noted economic headwinds ahead.

    By • July 10, 2025