Budget and Funding

The pros and cons of the debt deal for states and localities

The deal doesn’t claw back billions of dollars promised under the infrastructure and climate laws, but it does keep federal spending flat and adds work requirements for food stamp recipients.

  • By Kery Murakami

State turns to the cloud to manage transportation projects

The Delaware Department of Transportation will track $3 billion in spending over the next five years with a cloud-based capital program management solution.

  • By Chris Teale

Federal grants could boost whole-of-state cyber defense

The $1 billion State and Local Government Cybersecurity Grant Program requires states to collaborate more closely with their local governments, reinforcing the holistic approach favored in many state capitals.

  • By Chris Teale

Biden will veto Republican-led clawback of unemployment funding, White House says

Funding for unemployment modernization is needed to help states to continue detecting fraud, combating identity theft and recovering overpayments, White House officials said.

  • By Natalie Alms

How local governments can rise to the infrastructure complexity challenge

To take advantage of the federal government’s $2 trillion in investments, municipalities must think big, start small and scale fast.

  • By William D. Eggers and Kevin Pollari

Turning the heat up on election security

With the 2024 presidential election rapidly approaching, Arizona’s secretary of state pushes to protect election systems from outside threats.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Text alerts could streamline benefits redetermination processes

A text-based notification system could help agencies that administer federally funded benefits remind participants of applications, renewals and appointments.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

We’re back! Our grand return to live events

GCN and Route Fifty will hit the road with a new free event series to explore how cities across the country are building their future today.

  • By GCN Staff

Innovation thrives when governments embrace next-gen public-private partnerships

By rethinking how sectors collaborate and encouraging long-term institutional relationships, communities can get the most out of technology projects, one expert said.

  • By Chris Teale

Synthetic storms provide supplemental data for hurricane damage predictions

Emergency managers no longer have to rely on limited historical datasets to prepare for hurricane-related infrastructure damage.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Data warehouse aggregates local homelessness data for statewide analysis

To target services and funds aimed at reducing and preventing homelessness, California’s data sharing platform allows state and local leaders to coordinate services, policies and programs.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

New tool to help cities make the case for public safety funding

The Black-led coalition behind the online tool is also launching an effort to reduce gun homicides in 12 cities by 20% over the next five years. Its inaugural cohort includes Baltimore, Baton Rouge, Indianapolis and Newark.

  • By Molly Bolan

Some towns get funding boost from census corrections

Census population count corrections have started to roll out, but officials say the bureau needs to be more transparent about the process as valuable funding opportunities remain on the line.

  • By Tim Henderson, Stateline

‘Shark Tank’ for state agency IT modernization

Technology modernization funding programs are delivering quick wins to agencies with compelling business cases.

  • By Stephanie Kanowitz
Featured eBooks

Data index helps officials allocate opioid settlement funds

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently launched a county-level social vulnerability index that officials can use to make data-driven decisions on how to efficiently spend opioid settlement funds.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Cyber grants: Some governments may be ‘totally left out’

Experts said the $1 billion State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program is admirable for its emphasis on planning, but it may not deliver much direct cash at the local level.

  • By Chris Teale

$500M for new tech hubs program included in federal spending bill

A law to promote domestic semiconductor production approved earlier this year created the regional development program, but didn’t fund it. The proposed spending would enable its launch.

  • By Kery Murakami

Local cyber budgets growing but still inadequate, survey finds

With cyber insurance premiums also rising dramatically, half of municipal governments may be without adequate coverage, one expert says.

  • By Chris Teale

New FCC broadband map of the U.S. is ‘a step in the right direction’

While the new map is an improvement, internet speed and location accuracy issues persist, experts say.

  • By Kristi Eaton, The Daily Yonder

The cost of wildfires is rising. But by how much?

States are struggling to budget resources for wildfire management given inadequate tracking and reporting of costs.

  • By Jessie Blaeser , Grist

New national broadband map offers granular look at service and gaps

The draft release kicks off a process where states, localities and the general public can challenge inaccuracies. The new data will be crucial in guiding how the federal government divides billions in broadband funding between states.

  • By Kery Murakami