5 reasons I’m feeling optimistic about local government By Mark Funkhouser As a longtime auditor and then a big-city mayor, I’ve been called a lot of things, but being…
The North Star of Public Safety: Communities and Cops Working Together By Mark Funkhouser A resurgence of violent crime during the pandemic has magnified the intense focus on law enforcement…
Nutrition Insecurity: Local Governments Setting the Table to Feed Their Residents By Mark Funkhouser For many of us, the Thanksgiving holiday is all about food and family. But for a…
How local governments can cultivate authentic relationships in their community By Mark Funkhouser Nearly 50 participants are seated in assigned groups and gathered in a community meeting room in South…
Budgeting, politics and the soul of the city By Mark Funkhouser The congressional impasse that for a time this month held up House legislation providing funding for localities to hire…
Why climate advocates should focus on affordable housing By Mark Funkhouser If you’re a climate advocate, getting the attention of local officials these days has probably been challenging despite the…
Plastics recycling is broken. Partnerships with industry can go a long way toward fixing it. By Mark Funkhouser Millions of Americans do their part to recycle, and most would want…
States and localities have made huge leaps in adopting new technology during the pandemic. Now they need to harness that momentum to fuel an equitable recovery and a sustainable future….
An untapped solution to the public-workforce crisis: neurodiverse talent By Mark Funkhouser In just about every conversation I have with local-government officials, they name hiring and retention of staff among…
Four Lessons Learned From the Federal Funding and Livable Communities Cohort by Mark Funkhouser In this time of unprecedented federal funding, local government officials are facing immense pressure to capitalize…