Governance
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Report ranks states’ efforts to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
UL Standards & Engagement officials recommend cities and states mandate indoor carbon monoxide alarms, conduct public awareness campaigns and train first responders.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 8, 2025 -
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Lawsuit challenges NYPD “gang database”
Plaintiffs claim Blacks and Latinos who have tattoos and wear gang-affiliated colors are being added to the database, which NYPD says is a crucial tool in stopping gang-related shootings.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 6, 2025 -
Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
Trump budget proposal slashes climate funding
Renewable energy, environmental justice and Superfund cleanup are among programs that would be eliminated.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated May 5, 2025 -
Permission granted by City of Vandalia / Darren Davey
Sponsored by Energy Systems GroupVandalia leads bold infrastructure overhaul to modernize city facilities and prepare for the future
Learn how the City of Vandalia turned an urgent repair into a smart city transformation.
May 5, 2025 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
3 cities join lawsuit challenging mass layoffs of federal workers
Unions, nonprofits and local governments allege the staff reductions threaten vital services and public safety.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 2, 2025 -
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Trump directs Justice Department, military to support local law enforcement
The National Police Association applauds the order as providing needed support, while civil liberties groups warn of federal overreach and the danger of escalating tensions.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 1, 2025 -
(2025). “https://www.youtube.com/live/XhheK2197-8?si=FLXzFrXpEFreLvHx” [Video]. Retrieved from T&I Committee Republicans/YouTube.
House committee proposes annual $250 fee for EVs
Shoring up the Highway Trust Fund with annual federal registration fees for electric and hybrid vehicles is part of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s budget reconciliation proposal.
By Dan Zukowski • Updated May 1, 2025 -
Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
DOT will cut funds to transportation projects with DEI: Duffy
The U.S. transportation secretary also told funding recipients that they need to cooperate with immigration officers or potentially face civil or criminal prosecution.
By Julie Strupp • April 30, 2025 -
Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
Mayors push back against Trump’s new ‘sanctuary cities’ order
Forcing local police departments to enforce immigration policy will make cities less safe, they say.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 29, 2025 -
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Jacksonville, Florida, city council members launch their own DOGE committee
Some residents question the motivation behind the effort to cut $50 million from the city budget and make local government more efficient.
By Danielle McLean • April 25, 2025 -
Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
Justice Department cancels hundreds of public safety grants
The move will impede progress that’s been made on deterring crime, the U.S. Conference of Mayors says, calling for the grants’ reinstatement.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 24, 2025 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
DOT threatens NY highway funds if congestion pricing continues
The Trump administration set a May 21 deadline for New York state to end its tolling plan for Manhattan.
By Dan Zukowski • April 23, 2025 -
Adam Gray/Getty Images via Getty Images
Trump administration takes control of $7B Penn Station redevelopment
Neither the MTA nor the U.S. Department of Transportation has disclosed how the takeover will affect project timelines or ongoing construction activity at the site.
By Sebastian Obando • April 22, 2025 -
Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
Judge unfreezes billions in IRA, IIJA funds
The temporary injunction resumes public health, clean air and climate-resilience efforts halted by Trump’s executive order.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 16, 2025 -
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ICE agents denied entry into LAUSD elementary schools
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security maintains the incidents, which rattled the education community, were “wellness checks on children who arrived unaccompanied at the border.”
By Naaz Modan • April 16, 2025 -
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Authorium steps into growing field of AI-supported government procurement products
Authorium’s new AI tool was trained on 15 million government procurement documents and can generate statements of work “in minutes,” the company says.
By Ryan Kushner • April 14, 2025 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Maryland officials failed to test Key Bridge vulnerability
The National Transportation Safety Board said the span was nearly 30 times above the acceptable risk threshold and urged owners to evaluate 68 older bridges across the country.
By Zachary Phillips • March 21, 2025 -
Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
Nearly 3,000 city leaders gathered in Washington last week. Here’s what they had to say.
Mayors, council members and nonprofit leaders heard from Vice President JD Vance, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and others at the National League of Cities meeting.
By Dan Zukowski • March 21, 2025 -
Courtesy of California High-Speed Rail Authority
Can USDOT kill California high-speed rail?
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told the Federal Railroad Administration to review the Los Angeles-to-San Francisco project with an eye toward clawing back $4 billion in federal funds.
By Dan Zukowski • March 20, 2025 -
(2025). “EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin Launches the Greatest Day of Deregulation in American History” [Video]. Retrieved from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
EPA to review ‘waters of the U.S.’ rule
The rule defines which wetlands or bodies of water fall under the Clean Water Act. The three previous presidential administrations have adjusted its scope.
By Mary Salmonsen • March 19, 2025 -
Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
City leaders name housing, public safety and infrastructure as top issues
The National League of Cities Congressional City Conference brought together 3,000 city leaders to discuss these issues, with appearances from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Vice President JD Vance.
By Dan Zukowski • March 18, 2025 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Up to $51B in transportation grant awards at risk, advocacy group says
Transportation for America analyzed a leaked Department of Transportation policy memo that targets road safety, bicycle and electric vehicle infrastructure projects.
By Dan Zukowski • March 17, 2025 -
Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
JD Vance calls for zoning, regulation reform to improve housing affordability
Vice President JD Vance, speaking at the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference, also blamed immigrants for competing with U.S. citizens for housing.
By Dan Zukowski • March 13, 2025 -
Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
EPA revisiting dozens of climate, environment rules in ‘day of deregulation’
The agency said it would roll back a range of rules and programs, including some that are foundational to its efforts to address climate change. A new WOTUS definition is expected, as well as rollbacks to an emissions reporting program.
By Jacob Wallace • March 13, 2025 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
OpinionNew approaches to procurement can drive innovation in public transit
The lengthy process from RFP to equipment delivery can result in trains that are already obsolete when they go into service. New technologies and procurement approaches could help.
By Gabriel J. Lopez-Bernal • March 13, 2025
