GOVERNING

Two years ago, hundreds of people in Denver, Colorado, were sleeping outside. Today, 800 people have moved indoors + street homelessness has dropped 45%. What changed? Faster outreach. More shelter. Quicker paths to housing. Read more on @GOVERNING: bit.ly/4upn0er

In a new piece for @GOVERNING, Associate Director of Tax Policy Adam Langley and @TaxPolicyCenter Senior Research Associate Thomas Brosy explain why cutting—or abolishing—property taxes ends up hurting municipalities.

How incarcerated people are treated behind bars “profoundly affects their chances of success on the outside — as family members, as neighbors, as co-workers,” @lbeisen and Ram Subramanian write in @GOVERNING. They explain how some states are taking steps to improve conditions and reduce violence in prison, and increase rehabilitation opportunities — and why those programs need to expand. governing.com/management-and…

Oregon has one of the nation’s highest SNAP enrollment rates, making it especially vulnerable to new federal work requirements. State officials are scrambling to explain the changes and brace for how many could lose benefits. bit.ly/47ECrW4

Federal grants are too important to be managed through fragmented systems. In an era of shifting guidance and compliance risk, local governments need stronger centralized capacity to track funding and compete more strategically for scarce dollars. bit.ly/4btm9jX

In Memphis, an xAI facility powering the Grok chatbot plans to cool its systems with treated wastewater instead of drinking water, eliminating the need for about 3 million gallons of potable water a day. bit.ly/3PIm4S8

California has enacted some of the nation’s most ambitious AI laws — and now the federal government is pushing back. With 32 of the world’s top 50 AI companies based in California, the outcome could shape how AI is regulated across the country. bit.ly/4uARIku

As fuel costs climb amid global supply disruptions, voters are resistant to higher gas taxes even though those taxes remain a primary source of transportation funding. The result: a growing squeeze on state budgets. bit.ly/4rC2eVX

Property tax revolts are spreading across the country, with lawmakers in more than a dozen states moving to slash or even eliminate the tax. But sweeping limits could undermine local governments’ ability to fund essential services. bit.ly/40zXtBr

Policies that assume drug-addicted parents will voluntarily choose what’s best for their children can have deadly consequences. Efforts to keep infants with addicted parents without requiring treatment or services may put children at risk. bit.ly/47HYTxv

King County, Wash., has its first new executive in 16 years and Girmay Zahilay is reshaping the office. His reorganization sparked rumors he had “fired everyone,” but Zahilay says most changes involve restructuring to align the office with his priorities. bit.ly/4ulURoh

What America Can Learn From Pittsburgh - This long-depressed city has overcome some of its most serious problems. Maybe others can accomplish the same thing - My look at @chrisbriem's book for @GOVERNING governing.com/resilience/wha…

“Making federal funds available for housing-supportive infrastructure could encourage cities to permit more housing. Compared to other recent congressional efforts on housing, the current bills take a more comprehensive approach to updating federal housing programs ‘I think Congress was smart in that they’re looking at the bigger picture and doing what they can through regulation,’ says Mike Wallace, legislative director for community and economic development at the National League of Cities.” – @GOVERNING governing.com/urban/localiti…

Formerly incarcerated women understand the justice system in ways policymakers often don’t — yet they’re rarely included in shaping the policies that affect them. Formerly incarcerated women should get paid, voting roles on bodies that oversee policy. bit.ly/40JGRaB

Data centers are booming as AI and cloud computing drive demand. Lawmakers are weighing how to capture the economic benefits of data centers while managing the strain they can place on communities and power grids. bit.ly/40VBt3Z

As AI and robotics reshape the economy, the tax base that states and cities rely on could shrink. Governments will still have to fund worker retraining and support programs, which is why policymakers may soon need to consider targeted “robo-taxes." bit.ly/3OZP3ki

Self-driving robotaxis are arriving in real-world settings, including busy airports and city streets. While many people remain wary of autonomous vehicles, their ability to follow traffic rules consistently could make roads safer. bit.ly/4rnfMEE

A toll road agency in North Carolina will begin testing connected technology on privately owned vehicles, as it explores innovations in fare collection and driver communication. bit.ly/4sdhfyL

Once a symbol of industrial decline, Pittsburgh has spent decades reinventing itself — showing how older U.S. cities can adapt to economic upheaval. The city’s experience rebuilding after the collapse of steel offers lessons about civic leadership. bit.ly/3OXuSn5

Criminal justice data is often siloed, leaving policymakers “flying blind” on decisions that affect public safety. A growing number of state bills would require law enforcement to share information, but gaps remain in tracking people through the system. bit.ly/47kuBkc