GOVERNING

In light of staffing shortages and budget cuts, California State University, Los Angeles, is contracting with the software company Terra Dotta for tools and services to handle federal immigration reporting. bit.ly/4ckTuhA

Three states dominate the nation’s booming gaming industry, which brought in more than $78 billion in revenue last year. bit.ly/4ck6SCC

When it comes to the housing crisis, mayors largely agree on a few things: More housing is needed, especially multifamily units near jobs and transit. But a new survey shows partisan divides persist over what’s really driving the crisis. bit.ly/3Q3sPyf

Garden apartments have quietly provided millions of modest, affordable homes in cities across the country. These “invisible” units may offer a practical path forward as policymakers search for scalable housing solutions, writes Governing’s Alan Ehrenhalt. bit.ly/4bYl0m2

Balanced-budget requirements may look like fiscal discipline, but they often fall short in practice. States can make budgets appear balanced on paper while shifting costs and deferring payments, meaning imbalances emerge just beyond the budget window. bit.ly/48l3zK4

Los Angeles pitched the 2028 Olympics as a fiscally responsible, low-risk event built largely on existing infrastructure. But a new report warns the road ahead is far from smooth, with funding gaps and coordination challenges raising concerns. bit.ly/41SMUKg

Cryptocurrency is moving from the fringes into state finance, with at least 19 states considering or passing legislation to invest public funds in digital assets. But the risks remain significant, from volatility to regulatory uncertainty. bit.ly/4bWN6OD

States are pouring resources into career and technical education as a pathway to high-wage, in-demand jobs. But students often are steered into popular programs that don’t match labor market demand, while states lack the data to measure outcomes or ROI. bit.ly/4bXQKI6

Wisconsin voters are about to decide a 10-year term on their state Supreme Court. While the race is officially nonpartisan, the political stakes are anything but. The outcome could influence not just state policy, but national politics in a swing state. bit.ly/4shf1xG

Florida is requiring counties to sign cooperation agreements with ICE, dramatically expanding the number of local agencies working with federal immigration enforcement. But not everyone is on board. bit.ly/4mboWTW

Exclusionary zoning doesn’t just limit where housing gets built --- it can deepen poverty. Policies meant to protect communities can end up making poorer ones even poorer by raising rents and reinforcing economic divides. bit.ly/3PMLsGE

Local governments charge for everything from fire inspections to swimming lessons, but many aren’t charging what those services actually cost. Cities often fail to regularly update user fees, leaving taxpayers to subsidize services without realizing it. bit.ly/4c0gZMx

The Port of Long Beach, the nation’s second-busiest seaport, handles hundreds of billions of dollars in goods each year and supports millions of jobs. Its CEO spoke with Governing about managing the trade hub during a time of tariffs and conflict. bit.ly/4sNAgIr

Medicaid rolls could shrink sharply in some states under new federal rules — and the impact won’t be evenly distributed. A new analysis finds that West Virginia, Oregon and New Mexico could see the largest enrollment losses. bit.ly/3PEAYZX

Indianapolis is overhauling its school system and not everyone is on board. A new state law shifts key powers from the elected school board to a mayor-appointed body and allows charter schools to access property tax funding alongside traditional schools. bit.ly/4s0lE7f

As the electorate becomes more fragmented, a long-standing source of political power could be at risk. Divisions within the Black electorate may weaken the collective influence that has historically shaped election outcomes, writes Jabari Simama. bit.ly/41zb38y

When oil prices rise, the impact at home isn’t equal. Some states feel the squeeze far more than others. This interactive map shows where residents are most exposed, based on how much households spend on gasoline and energy. bit.ly/4lYanmt

Government still struggles to say things simply, and that’s more than a communications problem. Agencies too often rely on jargon, making it difficult to understand policies that directly affect their lives, weakening trust and accountability. bit.ly/3Q3qEdT

Nearly half of U.S. households aren’t earning enough to achieve true economic security. A new report finds about 49% of Americans fall short of that threshold, with families with children, renters and those in non-metro areas most likely to struggle. bit.ly/4sC5F0t

Utah lawmakers want to curb the harms of social media and make big tech pay for it. But their proposed tax on “targeted advertising” may face the same legal battles as similar laws elsewhere. bit.ly/3NMuibw