The federal Financial Data Transparency Act is poised to reshape how local governments handle financial data by prioritizing machine-readable, searchable, standardized formats. However, as implementation rules for the FDTA continue…

In a 1957 speech, Dwight D. Eisenhower shared a lesson he’d learned in the Army that he said applied just as well to the whole of government. “Plans are worthless,”…

Polarized local politics means that governments have a tougher time doing the basic blocking-and-tackling of administration — police, fire, road maintenance, utilities — and allocating resources to support community needs. The siege mentality that has crept into our politics can cause or worsen the financial problems of cities and towns.

Sacramento has achieved a significant reduction in homelessness through a strategic collaboration between city and county officials, nonprofits, and community partners. This comprehensive approach, backed by substantial financial resources, has resulted in a 29% decrease in overall homelessness and a 41% reduction in unsheltered individuals since 2022.

Reimagining property taxation through a split tax system can disrupt the cycle of ‘honest graft’ by incentivizing development and reducing speculative landholding, Mark Funkhouser writes in his newest newsletter.

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore last month is a reminder for local leaders to re-evaluate their community’s risk profile and grapple with a concept that is complex but vital for local resilience: the total cost of risk, or TCOR.

Local government auditors are shifting to an “auditing for impact” approach that prioritizes improving community outcomes and exposing inequities. Audits can strengthen democracy by ensuring efficient, effective, and equitable governance through an independent, proactive lens focused on program results rather than just financial compliance. Auditors are allies for leaders seeking organizational learning and regaining public trust.

Local news is a critical asset to transparent, productive local government. In this newsletter, we explore this symbiotic connection from legislation to relationship building.

Explore the changing dynamics of local government debt management, delving into compliance, strategic planning, and investor relations for enhanced fiscal resilience.

Beyond the media blitz on immigration, some localities are welcoming refugees and reviving their economies.