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Don’t pull the plug on internet access for 23M families
May 03, 2024 | News, Digital GovernmentCOMMENTARY | No family should be forced to choose between one essential and another. And they don’t have to, as long as Congress acts to renew the Affordable Connectivity Program.
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As cities ban them from public spaces, homeless people scatter in search of refuge
| News, ManagementAttorneys say bans could become more common nationwide if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns lower-court rulings in Oregon and Idaho that protect homeless people from being ticketed, charged or arrested for sleeping on public property.
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States get streamlined access to Treasury’s Do Not Pay system for unemployment
| News, Digital GovernmentThe move comes as federal agencies work with states to combat the rise in jobless aid fraud following the pandemic.
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Illinois’ child welfare agency goes on a hiring spree
May 02, 2024 | News, ManagementThe Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has reduced hiring times for frontline workers from nine months to just a few weeks. Agency leaders hope a bigger staff will help improve the lives of kids it serves.
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As property tax bills rise, states look for long-term solutions
| News, FinanceLawmakers in the Mountain West seek to provide permanent tax relief without harming local revenue.
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State, local govs crack down on menthol cigarettes by pumping prices up
| News, FinanceSetting minimum retail prices and increasing taxes can help officials address public health concerns surrounding menthol cigarettes.
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AC, power banks, mini fridges: State equips Medicaid patients for climate change
| News, ManagementOregon wants to be proactive and pay for equipment that will help an estimated 200,000 residents manage their health at home before extreme weather or climate-related disaster hits.
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New Maryland law enables local jurisdictions to impose higher taxes on vacant properties
| News, FinanceThe legislation aims to reduce the number of lots and houses that sit vacant for years on end in an effort to solve the state's affordable housing shortage.
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Measuring and managing risk in the quest for resilience
May 01, 2024 | News, FinanceCOMMENTARY | Incidents like the Baltimore bridge collapse should motivate local leaders to think carefully about risk management, prevention and mitigation.
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E-bikes are a ‘game changer’ for bike shares
| News, InfrastructureRidership on the systems in cities big and small after the pandemic is stronger than ever, and bike-share operators say the electric devices are a big reason why.