Governing

The Governing Fast 5: The Urban Middle-class Rocked the Vote, and more. The week's stories of people making government work all wrapped up in a tidy 90-second package. #elections #transportation #funding #ruralpublicfunding #AIcriminaljustice

Did you know Massachusetts has the lowest traffic death rate in the U.S. in terms of vehicle miles traveled? Governing spoke with MassDOT’s Highway Administrator to find out the strategy behind their success. His thoughts? 🛣️ A focus on the Safe System Approach 🚗 Congestion keeping speeds slow 🏥 A robust hospital system Read the whole interview below to find out more on how the state keeps traffic deaths so low 👇

A perspective from CCJ Chief Policy Counsel Marc Levin and Senior Fellow Jesse Rothman in Governing magazine on the complicated implications of using artificial intelligence in criminal justice: https://lnkd.in/gV_eUrxm   With the use of AI tools in criminal justice already on the rise, CCJ’s artificial intelligence initiative convened experts and stakeholders in the field to discuss the promise and peril of the technology for policing, courts, corrections, and other sectors. Learn more about the key themes that emerged from the event at: https://lnkd.in/gV8wWhMe

Did you know that 33 of Illinois’ 102 counties have passed non-binding resolutions supporting the idea of forming a new state—one that excludes Cook County, home to Chicago and over 40% of the state’s population. This growing movement reflects frustration seen across the nation, where rural areas feel overshadowed by urban centers. But here’s the truth: May 8 works with urban and rural areas and they share more challenges than differences. Access to affordable housing, aging infrastructure, job creation, public safety, and equitable healthcare—these issues don’t stop at county lines. When urban innovation meets rural resilience, amazing things happen. Hope everyone has a great holiday next week! Governing #UrbanRural #CommunityCollaboration #StrongerTogether

🧮 Are We Measuring the Right Outcomes in Public Infrastructure and grant funding? States are spending billions on transportation projects, but as the The Brookings Institution report summarized by Governing points out, many lack clear metrics to determine whether these investments are achieving broader goals like equity or climate resilience. This gap isn’t just about transportation—it reflects a broader challenge in public finance: how do we ensure funding decisions align with meaningful outcomes? At Euna Solutions, we work with governments every day to make planning and tracking public dollars more transparent and intentional. Whether it’s through better budgeting, smarter grants management, or clearer procurement, the tools matter—but so does the mindset. The real question is: what metrics should we be tracking to build not just infrastructure, but trust? #PublicFinance #Accountability #EunaSolutions

A good Sunday read: My longtime friend Alan Ehrenhalt over at Governing points out that, whatever you think about #RobertMoses, he wasn't alone: Sweeping changes and wiped-out neighborhoods were common in mid-century America. I talked a lot about how all this affect my hometown of #AuburnNY (update from Moses) in my book Place and Prosperity. #urbanrenewal #cities #urbanplanning.

I wrote a story for Governing about public sector employees’ under appreciated role in the broader civic context in which we all work. Especially in light (or the shadow) of last week’s election results, now is the time for local leaders to embrace the political process. It is the primary tool of civic involvement that builds the workforce and strengthens the community it serves. I appreciate the editors at Governing working with me to produce something worth publishing and reading. Subscribe to their newsletter if you haven’t already. https://lnkd.in/gznfZNCr

"I couldn’t recommend it more as a resource.” 🎧What we're listening to: Gates Foundation - United States's Allan Golston highlights the Economic Mobility Catalog during a conversation with Governing as they discuss the intersection of #EconomicMobility and the American dream. https://lnkd.in/eXvRwyKm

Would love to share this recent podcast from Governing with you! Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Dr. Philip Huang evangelizes the importance of #data to inform #publichealth as part of his work, which became more transparent during the COVID-19 pandemic.    “Building Trust Through Data for Dallas County Public Health” is The Future in Context podcast in which Huang discusses why he chose public health and how the COVID-19 pandemic continued to shape his views while impacting the county’s data modernization efforts.   You’ll also hear senior Governing writer Carl Smith discuss what he learned about the public health leader. The podcast follows Huang’s recognition as a Public Official of the Year, a returning magazine feature.

I’m an optimist and believer in our education systems and job markets' ability to create opportunity and change lives, yet I know that while those systems work for many, they don’t work for everyone. How can we create a future where every student, regardless of background, achieves equitable academic and economic outcomes? That question was at the center of my recent conversation with Paul W. Taylor on Governing's Future in Context podcast. This question reminded me of the seven students I recently met in Yakima, Washington, each aspiring to a future grounded in a good education with pathways to a good job and economic mobility. Their hopes drive our work at the Gates Foundation - United States, part of which includes serving as a catalyst for innovation across our education systems and job markets through emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI): https://lnkd.in/e9_Rmmmg    For example, in education, we’re working with AI-powered tools like EdLight, PBC to support teachers by streamlining grading students’ handwritten work and providing feedback, and TeachFX, which gives teachers actionable analysis of their lessons and strategies that encourage more student engagement. In economic mobility, innovative partners like Code for America are making a difference with tools like GetYourRefund.org, helping millions of people earning low incomes access essential tax benefits, while Propel, Inc's AI-powered mobile app is streamlining how millions of people earning low incomes access and use safety net benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in times of need.   Philanthropy can catalyze these innovations, but system transformation and scalable impact will only come through collaboration with the government and private sector. Together, we can build a future where those seven students in Yakima and every student in this country have the access and opportunities they need to succeed in the future. Listen to my conversation with Paul on Future in Context and share your thoughts in the comments! #EconomicMobility #AIforGood #InnovationInEducation #Philanthropy #EquitableOutcomes On the Governing Technology website: https://lnkd.in/gyKh6PBn   On the Governing website: https://lnkd.in/gnR7scqB Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gH-Tpdfw   Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gDQCWpTR  Audacy: https://lnkd.in/gBk5bNXU  Audible: https://lnkd.in/gnNtcwqP  YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gwxRMAtq