Surface transportation legislation in 2026: What we know so far

Congress has begun work that will determine the next five years of funding and policies for highways, mass transit and other transportation modes.

By Dan Zukowski • May 7, 2026

Governments should help finance infrastructure — not construct and run it

When delays and cost escalations carry no financial consequence, they become routine. To prevent this, project governance structures must align capital with performance.

By Bob Hellman • May 7, 2026

How cities and transit agencies are preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

An influx of out-of-town and international visitors creates challenges to keeping transit systems and roadways running smoothly.

By Smart Cities Dive Staff • May 5, 2026

Mayors look to shape AI policy — and the technology itself — in new coalition

“Local governments must set the frameworks to shape the use and impacts of these technologies,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, a member of the global Mayors AI Forum.

By Ryan Kushner • May 1, 2026

Who should decide budgets? Some cities are starting to share the power.

Participatory budgeting is reshaping how funds are allocated, bringing residents into decisions that elected officials and staff traditionally controlled, an expert says.

By Vicky Uhland • May 1, 2026

Meet the 2026 Smart Cities Dive Public Service Award winners

Read about the local government leaders in Florida, New York and Texas being honored for how they’re driving local impact.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 30, 2026

Fort Walton Beach, Florida’s finance director brings fiscal discipline after a period of scandal

After a period of scandal and staff turnover, Smart Cities Dive Public Service Award winner Nicole Nabors is rebuilding trust through technology and transparency.

By Stephanie Kanowitz • April 30, 2026

This New York City leader unlocked a century of data, turning paper files into actionable intelligence

Smart Cities Dive Public Service Award winner Janet Aristy is modernizing New York City's infrastructure systems while empowering the next generation of public servants.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 30, 2026

Leading with ‘grace and grit’ in a binational border county

Smart Cities Dive Public Service Award winner Betsy Keller has brought strategic planning, building modernization and a push to “make it about the people” to El Paso County, Texas.

By Ryan Kushner • April 30, 2026

Cities urged to apply now for safe streets and roads grants

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s SS4A funding opportunity may be its last if the program isn’t renewed, a Stantec executive said.

By Dan Zukowski • April 29, 2026

Amtrak to get $4.7B for Northeast Corridor projects, opens bids for new long-distance trains

The U.S. Department of Transportation also opened applications for funding to improve passenger rail ridership and enhance multimodal connections with intercity buses.

By Dan Zukowski • April 21, 2026

Transit and rail funding cuts in Trump budget ‘a dramatic step backward,’ advocates say

The fiscal year 2027 budget proposal slashes billions from transportation programs and eliminates funding for high-speed rail.

By Dan Zukowski • April 16, 2026

How much power do cities have over data centers?

A Wisconsin referendum highlights the limits of local authority and the growing need for cities to negotiate community benefits and cost protections, experts say.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 16, 2026

Trump targets ‘bureaucrat tax’ to build more homes

Cutting restrictive zoning and land-use regulations could help spur 13.2 million new homes, according to a White House analysis.

By Ryan Kushner • April 15, 2026

As the federal government cuts funding, nonprofits are turning to cities

With one-third of nonprofits facing funding disruptions, local governments are emerging as an option to replace lost federal dollars. 

By Vicky Uhland • April 15, 2026

$657M for ferries available from 3 FTA grant programs

Separately, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $517 million in grants for bridges in rural areas.

By Dan Zukowski • April 13, 2026

Most mayors say market-rate housing development can boost housing affordability

Up to 80% of U.S. mayors say their city needs to develop more multifamily housing, a Boston University survey found. Support for zoning and permitting reform was more muted, however.

By Ryan Kushner • April 10, 2026

3 city AI policies to watch

Local governments are increasingly interested in using artificial intelligence to boost efficiency. These cities have established policies.

By Ryan Kushner • April 9, 2026

Trump budget proposal once again targets affordable housing, homeless assistance

Elimination of the HOME Investment Partnerships and Community Development Block Grant programs would be part of the 13% cut in the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s discretionary budget.

By Ryan Kushner • April 7, 2026

Cities’ moves to rename Chavez landmarks can be complex and costly

Local governments are fast-tracking the renaming of Cesar Chavez parks, schools and streets, but those symbolic decisions can carry significant price tags.

By Stephanie Kanowitz • April 7, 2026

5 policy principles that will be key to next surface transportation bill

A Consumer Reports white paper evaluates six options to fund highways, bridges and mass transit.

By Dan Zukowski • April 6, 2026

Trump administration effort to rewrite federal housing grant criteria hits setbacks

A judge found the administration illegally imposed a criteria change for federal funds, and an appeals court upheld an order blocking Trump from cutting permanent supportive housing grants.

By Ryan Kushner • April 6, 2026

Trump’s FY27 budget slashes climate and disaster funding, shifting costs to cities and states

Deep cuts to FEMA, EPA and climate programs would force local governments to absorb preparedness, infrastructure and resilience costs.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 6, 2026

Digital government’s next challenge: Making systems work together

Governments have digitized services. The challenge now is getting them to work harder.

April 6, 2026

Can raising city wages drive local growth? Detroit is about to find out.

Local leaders across the U.S. are betting that livable wages for city employees can strengthen consumer stability and community investment. But the policy could force tough choices on taxes and spending, an expert says.

By Vicky Uhland • April 3, 2026