Pensions are consuming local governments’ budgets, and many are struggling to make their payments. In Walnut Creek, California, as in a lot of cities around the nation, revenues are flattening, while expenses for employee benefits and basic services are rising. Not to mention, as our cities continue to age, infrastructure needs are ever present. Even
This is a guest post by Councilmember John Holman of Auburn, Washington. There is a good likelihood that you are an elected official from a first tier suburb. An older, less-used term is ring suburb. Simply put, if your city is influenced by a large, urban, metropolitan area, chances are you are one of us.
This is an excerpt from NLC’s new recycling guide, Recycling Reimagined. The health of our citizens and the safety of our environment depend on sustainable waste management systems. Cities should feel empowered to improve diversion rates and reduce waste. Examining your waste and recycling system can jumpstart local circular economies. A linear economy’s model is
This is guest post by Bill Eller, vice president, business development at HomeServe. Skilled trades are the future of work. A combination of Baby Boomers reaching retirement age and lack of interest by young adults in the skilled trade field has caused an unprecedented labor shortage. It’s estimated that, for each person who enters the
This post is contributed by NLC President Karen Freeman-Wilson, mayor of Gary, Indiana. As elected officials, we want everyone to see our cities the same way we do. We work hard to make our residents feel the same passion, love and optimism that motivated us to run to serve them. But it’s hard to love your
This is an excerpt from the National League of Cities’ (NLC) new report, Veterans First: An Approach to Meeting the Housing Needs of Seniors. Arthur Keller In 1965, Arthur Keller followed the example of his father and enlisted in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After serving as part of the 62nd Armored Field
This is a guest post by Tim Sloan, CEO and president, Wells Fargo & Company Wells Fargo is pleased to partner with cities around the U.S. to improve the communities where we all live and work. We’ve been doing it for generations, and it’s a part of our company culture that makes me most proud! I
Cities face a number of labor-related challenges, including job automation, precarious work arrangements, economic insecurity and growing inequality. Universal basic income (UBI) is a potential solution. UBI is an unconditional cash payment that either supplements or replaces existing social welfare systems. Unlike traditional programs, which are conditional and means-tested, UBI provides recipients with the autonomy
This is a guest post by Cory Poris-Plasch, Vice President- Customer Success at POLCO Imagine a world where we could hear from not just the vocal few who seem to relish the opportunity to engage the city, but our average citizens, those who are busy with families and jobs but who don’t normally have the time
Today, the National League of Cities (NLC) released Preparing for the 2020 Census, a new municipal action guide that will help cities navigate the upcoming census. Visit NLC.org/census to find the full guide. Even before the U.S. Constitution outlines the powers of the three branches of the government, it mandates a decennial count of all
