Author Archive

Kery Murakami

Senior Reporter

Kery Murakami
Kery Murakami is a senior reporter covering Congress and federal agencies for Route Fifty. A longtime reporter, he has covered state, city and county governments, as well as transportation, at newspapers like the Seattle Times, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Newsday. In Washington, D.C, he has covered federal policy areas including broadband, healthcare and higher education.
Cloud & Infrastructure

Mayors oppose a GOP bill to speed up broadband permitting

The proposal would put a “shot clock” on permit approvals in an effort to streamline the process to build broadband around the country. But mayors say it preempts their ability to make crucial construction decisions.

Cloud & Infrastructure

Senate passes debt ceiling bill, approves new work requirements for benefits

States will have to meet stricter rules for those receiving food stamps and welfare assistance. Some worry it will actually hamper states’ ability to help people get back to work.

Cloud & Infrastructure

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.

Cloud & Infrastructure

Proposals floated for streamlining broadband permitting

House Republicans and Democrats debated more funding, removing environmental reviews and putting a “shot clock” on approvals in an effort to get the $42 billion in funding to much-needed broadband projects faster.

Cloud & Infrastructure

Could infrastructure dollars solve the lack of broadband in public housing?

Nearly one million households that live in public housing units do not have access to the internet, according to a new report.

Cloud & Infrastructure

The other digital divide

Jobs using technology are more common in some parts of the country than in others, according to a recent study. The divide is leading to a widening wage and skills gap.

Emerging Tech

Feds seek input on how to create semiconductor hubs

The Commerce Department wants stakeholders’ “best ideas” for new research and manufacturing hubs for computer chips that could transform communities nationwide.

Cloud & Infrastructure

Here’s what’s in Biden’s budget plan for state and local governments

The administration, among other things, wants to dramatically increase funding for housing and restore the child tax credit.

Cloud & Infrastructure

Republicans want to incentivize states to recover stolen unemployment benefits

The House Ways and Means Committee approved a bill this week that would let states keep 25% of any money they recover that was fraudulently obtained or improperly given out.

Cloud & Infrastructure

Treasury reopens ‘help desk’ for states and localities

The call center, which fielded 300 calls and about 2,000 emails a week before it was shut down, provided governments with assistance on the handling of various pandemic-related programs.

Emerging Tech

The worker shortage is real. Could tech help governors close gaps?

Business leaders pointed to high-tech job training and tools like artificial intelligence as possible solutions to the historic shortage of workers.

Cloud & Infrastructure

Senators press FCC on map that will guide billions in broadband infrastructure funding

State and local officials and others have raised questions about the accuracy of the The Federal Communications Commission map and the process to make corrections to it.

Emerging Tech

$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.

Cloud & Infrastructure

How the infrastructure act aims to take on digital discrimination

The FCC is considering adopting a set of recommendations for state and local governments that would address disparities in broadband service.

Cloud & Infrastructure

New state and local government financial reporting requirements headed to Biden’s desk

State and local advocates opposed the provisions, which were attached to a massive defense bill and call for financial data to be standardized, searchable and machine-readable.

Cloud & Infrastructure

Fears grow over plan to distribute billions in broadband dollars

State and local officials are raising alarm about what they say are major flaws with a federal map that will guide where the infrastructure money is sent. They want the Biden administration to extend a timeline for flagging the problems.

Cloud & Infrastructure

Congress moving ahead on new state and local government financial reporting rules

The new requirements, tacked on to a must-pass defense bill, call for financial data to be standardized, machine-readable and searchable. State and local advocates argue the plan is an “unfunded mandate” that will create significant costs.

Cloud & Infrastructure

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.

Public Safety

Local election officials brace for possible violence and threats

With worries over armed poll “monitors,” voter intimidation and risks to staff, some are coordinating with law enforcement or conducting special training ahead of Election Day.

Data & Analytics

Cities and states bristle over proposal to change how they report on finances

Congress is weighing a plan that calls for overhauling how state and local government financial data is made public, stirring worries about new costs for software and staff. But supporters of the revamp say it’s long overdue.