Governance & Finance

  • A bicyclist rides along Market Street near pedestrians crossing the street in San Francisco, California. Three buses and a car are visible.
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    US DOT opens $1B in funding for safe streets and roads

    Eligible projects can include those for pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation, motorists and commercial vehicle operators.

    By • March 31, 2026
  • People sitting at desks sorting mail-in ballots.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    5 strategies to help transit ballot measures succeed

    Early planning and collaboration with professionals and legislators are key to gaining support for locally funded transit improvements, experts say.

    By • March 26, 2026
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    Trump housing order could mean new barriers to federal funding for cities

    Local governments may need to ease zoning and environmental rules to stay eligible for federal support, an attorney says.

    By • March 25, 2026
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    Cities struggle to meet drinking water PFAS standards by EPA deadline

    Communities are grappling with how to fund removing PFAS “forever chemicals” from their water supplies, experts said during a National League of Cities panel.

    By Danielle McLean • March 24, 2026
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    City officials urge federal grant application reform

    The “mind-numbing” grant application process could be improved through preparation, intention and building connections, city leaders said during a National League of Cities panel. 

    By Danielle McLean • March 23, 2026
  • Sandstone neoclassical Idaho State Capitol building against mountain backdrop. Afternoon light illuminates the dome.
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    Idaho updates grant-management system with cloud-based platform

    The modernization project consolidated multiple grant processes across state agencies into one system. It’s already saving time.

    By • March 20, 2026
  • New York City Public Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels speaks at a podium. He is flanked by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    How the new NYC schools chief plans to improve rigor and equity

    Kamar Samuels stresses partnerships with elected officials and community-based organizations to manage school mergers and closures.

    By Roger Riddell • March 20, 2026
  • Boats docked in a harbor with tall buildings in the background.
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    How Baltimore is working to reverse years of population loss

    From port expansion to neighborhood-level housing redevelopment, Baltimore is betting on coordinated public-private partnerships to rebuild economic momentum and compete with other resurgent postindustrial cities.

    By Vicky Uhland • Updated March 20, 2026
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    Lawsuit claims NCAR changes pose ‘direct threat’ to US security

    Restructuring the atmospheric research center would disrupt weather and climate data systems relied on by cities, the military and infrastructure planners, NCAR's parent agency argues.

    By • March 17, 2026
  • A family of three sits on a patch of green grass as children run and others relax in the distance.
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    Courtesy of Visit Decatur GA
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    Up to $142M in economic benefits could come from being World Cup-adjacent, one city finds

    Decatur, Georgia, could see as many as 10,000 visitors a day during the FIFA World Cup soccer events in nearby Atlanta, according to an economic impact report.

    By • March 17, 2026
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    Bipartisan affordable housing legislation just cleared the Senate. Here’s what it could mean for cities.

    The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act does not tamper with local zoning regulations or include unfunded mandates, experts say.

    By • March 13, 2026
  • Illustration or a street with cars and a bicycle in front of a low building with a glass front and sign reading "Chicago Bus Terminal."
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    Permission granted by Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul University
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    Chicago might buy its downtown intercity bus station

    Four bus lines serve the Midwest from the former Greyhound terminal. If the city doesn’t act, bus operators could lose access to the station.

    By • March 12, 2026
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    Retrieved from Office of Governor Healey.
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    FIFA World Cup US host cities to get $100M for public transportation

    The Federal Transit Administration will offer each host city $8 million to $10 million to enhance public transportation during this summer’s events.

    By • March 9, 2026
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    Permission granted by Nuveen
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    Nearly 40,000 ‘shovel-ready’ affordable homes in California are stuck in financial limbo, report finds

    Billions in additional state funding are needed to unlock construction for 461 approved developments, according to a new analysis by Enterprise Community Partners.

    By • March 9, 2026
  • James Earp
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    James Earp

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    Top public service awards in 2026

    Officials and public servants who drive impact in their communities can get recognized for their service related to civic innovation, climate action, the arts and more. 

    By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Updated March 11, 2026
  • Two piles of brown material, labeled "Finished Compost" and "Almost Done!" are separated by cinderblocks on a concrete pad outside.
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    Courtesy of Rhode Island Food Policy Council
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    EPA properly awarded $1.5B of now-terminated grants, federal watchdog says

    The report is further evidence that Community Change Grants should not have been terminated, environmental groups say.

    By Jacob Wallace • March 9, 2026
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    4 ways Oklahoma can ease its affordable housing crisis

    An Urban Institute study detailed challenges in Oklahoma’s housing market but also noted solutions for the state.

    By • March 4, 2026
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    Surface Transportation Legislation

    APTA calls for $268B investment in public transit and passenger rail over 5 years

    The American Public Transportation Association urges Congress to support transit investment in the upcoming surface transportation legislation.

    By • March 4, 2026
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    Courtesy of Courtney Steger

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    Nominate someone today for the 2026 Smart Cities Dive Public Service Awards

    Submit your nominations by March 31 to recognize outstanding local leaders who are making an impact in their communities.

    By Smart Cities Dive Staff • March 4, 2026
  • President Trump, wearing a red tie and a glower, is flanked by VP JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson behind a podium.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    What Trump said about housing in his State of the Union address

    The president emphasized affordability in his economy-focused annual speech but offered little new information.

    By Julie Strupp • Feb. 26, 2026
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    US homes are becoming uninsurable, study says. Here are 3 things states can do.

    As natural disasters drive up home insurance costs, states are in a position to curb a looming insurability crisis, a Natural Resources Defense Council report says.

    By • Feb. 25, 2026
  • A Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train approaches the West Oakland station on March 15, 2023 in Oakland, Californi
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    California lends $590M to keep Bay Area transit running

    The loan will prevent service cuts in the near term, but a long-term solution depends on a November 2026 regional ballot measure.

    By • Feb. 23, 2026
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    3 state-level parking reform efforts to watch

    To encourage housing development, more states are ending parking spot minimums.

    By • Feb. 23, 2026
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    Opinion

    How a skills-first hiring strategy transforms organizational performance for local governments

    The public sector can set a standard showing that capability matters more than pedigree and economic opportunity should be based on what a person can do, not just whether they have a college degree.

    By Blair Corcoran de Castillo and Bob Lavigna • Feb. 23, 2026
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    Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Pritzker proposes statewide zoning standards to boost housing in Illinois

    Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker targeted local housing regulations in his State of the State this week, unveiling a path for more “missing middle” development.

    By • Feb. 20, 2026