Governance & Finance: Page 10
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Column
Small budget, strong security: Why Zero Trust is key to protecting critical infrastructure
Traditional security measures, reliant on perimeter defense, are no longer sufficient. Agencies must stop solely focusing on perimeter defenses and flip the paradigm with an inside-out strategy. This strategy mirrors how threats operate, enabling faster detection and neutralization before escalation, and ultimately building the resilience needed for modern defenses. This approach is at the heart of Zero Trust.
By Gary Barlet • Nov. 15, 2024 -
Retrieved from Governor Kathy Hochul/YouTube.
New York congestion pricing to start Jan. 5
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced plans to begin the controversial program with reduced fees, but President-elect Donald Trump, House Republicans and some New Jersey Democrats remain opposed to the plan.
By Dan Zukowski • Updated Nov. 19, 2024 -
Column
Are combination inspectors a good choice for municipalities?
The inspection process can be streamlined by using multi-disciplined inspectors, allowing for a more efficient use of human resources, reducing the need for a large staff of specialized inspectors.
By David Adcock • Nov. 13, 2024 -
NY Gov. Hochul pressured to reinstate congestion pricing before Trump takes office
President-elect Donald Trump opposes New York's plan to toll drivers entering Manhattan's central business district. Advocates want the plan implemented now.
By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 13, 2024 -
When they search for new staffers, cities and counties should cast a wide net and recruit globally
If local governments need to hire qualified workers to replace those leaving, where can they turn to when recruiting? Two experts weigh in.
By Michael Keating • Nov. 11, 2024 -
Trump agenda has states, advocacy groups girding for legal battles
California, New York and Illinois are among states readying to sue the Trump administration over divisive issues such as reproductive rights, climate regulation and immigration.
By Justin Bachman • Nov. 11, 2024 -
Ransomware presents a growing threat to vulnerable local governments
In the past, cities and counties were not a prime target for ransomware attacks, says Rahul Mahna, a partner who leads the Outsourced IT Services team at Eisner Advisory Group LLC.
By Michael Keating • Nov. 6, 2024 -
How will a second Trump administration affect transportation policy?
Federal support for public transportation, Amtrak, high-speed rail and electric vehicles may be at risk, experts said.
By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 6, 2024 -
National Housing Crisis Task Force unveils agenda for next president, Congress
The federal government must “fundamentally restructure” its organization to address the housing crisis, according to recommendations from 28 public, civic and corporate leaders.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 5, 2024 -
Local governments are less impacted by polarization, survey finds
Political polarization is having a substantially negative impact on the nation, according to 87% of local government leaders recently surveyed by CivicPulse and Carnegie Corporation of New York.
By Ryan Kushner • Nov. 4, 2024 -
Transit agencies must improve rail worker safety under new FTA rule
The Federal Transit Administration seeks to reduce the number of workers killed and injured while working on or around tracks.
By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 4, 2024 -
Column
2024 elections meet social media – How local governments can stay ahead
Social media is a critical aspect of the 2024 election in different ways from years prior. This is due to younger generation voters engaging on platforms like X, Instagram and TikTok, and with half of all U.S. adults saying they at least sometimes get news via social media, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey.
By Eric Grant • Nov. 1, 2024 -
Opinion
Traverse City’s broadband project is a cautionary tale for other communities
As a former telecommunications executive who created business plans for fiber networks, I’ve watched Traverse City, Mich.’s efforts to build a fiber municipal broadband network with both interest and concern.
By Gerald DeGrazia • Oct. 29, 2024 -
As cyber threats evolve, cities and counties need to safeguard staffers’ mobile devices
No question, more local governments are facing cyber threats in 2024, says Tim LeMaster, vice president, worldwide systems engineering at Lookout.
By Michael Keating • Oct. 25, 2024 -
FAA sets air taxi pilot training, operations final rule
Powered-lift aircraft like eVTOL, which operate like both helicopters and airplanes, are "the first new category of aircraft in nearly 80 years," the FAA administrator said in announcing the new rule.
By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 25, 2024 -
NYC comptroller proposes stopping pensions’ private market investments in fossil fuels
The funds would be the first U.S. public pension plans to have exclusions on investing in fossil fuel infrastructure like pipelines and liquefied natural gas terminals.
By Lamar Johnson • Oct. 25, 2024 -
How transit ballot measures fared in Nov. 5 elections
Many local and state transportation improvements earned bipartisan support even when measures asked to increase taxes, an analyst said.
By Dan Zukowski • Updated Nov. 8, 2024 -
Massachusetts investing in commuter rail to relieve traffic congestion
“Our roads are at a standstill,” the state’s transportation secretary said at a conference last week, detailing how the state is making passenger rail a priority.
By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 22, 2024 -
Opinion
Communities could lose unspent ARPA funds in December if they don’t do this
Governments generally must “obligate” the funds, which requires more than passing a budget or earmarking them for use.
By Tom Kaleko and Lucas Peterson • Oct. 21, 2024 -
Nominations open for the 2024 American City & County Crown Communities and Exemplary Public Servants awards
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 American City & County Crown Communities and Exemplary Public Servants awards.
By Michelle Havich • Oct. 18, 2024 -
Platform compiles ‘proven solutions’ to urban challenges, from air pollution to homelessness
Bloomberg Philanthropies' Cities Idea Exchange added programs and policies that it says have a track record of stoking stakeholder interest and attracting investment.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 16, 2024 -
9 bike-friendly laws signed by California governor
Bicycle advocates cheered laws that spur bike and pedestrian infrastructure construction, but Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed two bills that advocates hoped would rein in driver speeding.
By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 14, 2024 -
Column
Procurement purchasing card perils: Will you be the next headline?
In January, Local 10 news in Miami reported that a former Miami-Dade School Board member used district-issued credit cards to rack up more than $100,000 in personal purchases that included everything from refrigerators to a trip to Disney World.
By Shannon Castillo, MBA, CFE • Oct. 11, 2024 -
How the White House influences transportation grantmaking
Priorities vary among administrations, an Urban Institute report found. “The president actually has substantial discretion over a lot of these programs,” one researcher said.
By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 9, 2024 -
On technology buys, it’s important that agency stakeholders work together throughout the process
Teamwork is essential when cities and counties plan to buy new systems and equipment, says Gary Mitchell, director of SLED (state, local and education) business development at Iron Mountain Government Solutions, a company that provides secure management of data and assets; it works to protect, connect and activate high-value customer data.
By Michael Keating • Oct. 8, 2024