In the last month of its term (June), the Supreme Court often issues opinions at a dizzying pace. Below is a very brief summary of the cases decided last month affecting local governments. When it comes to big cases, the Supreme Court’s last term was the quietest in recent memory. For local governments, though, the
This post was co-authored by Brett Bolton and Will Downie. City and county leaders took to Capitol Hill this week to discuss a critical but often overlooked part of the federal tax code: the state and local tax deduction (SALT). The deduction plays a critical role in helping cities provide vital services such as healthcare,
What is the state of America’s cities and towns? Where are our most successful and our most challenged communities? What should the federal government’s role in cities be — and is there a road map to urban success? On Wednesday, NLC Second Vice President Karen Freeman-Wilson, mayor, Gary, Indiana, and NLC Senior Executive Brooks Rainwater
Marketing your community’s unique assets is crucial to building a sustainable local economy — and through the NLC Community Showcase Video Program, we can help you do so for free. There’s no single, standard definition of economic development, but according to the National League of Cities (NLC) report, What You Should Know: Elected Leaders and
All cities have blighted neighborhoods with potential that simply need a little sun and water to grow, and it’s micro-level community efforts that constitute that nourishment. Guest author Jack Calhoun shares an inspiring story from the streets of Baltimore that illustrates the power of hope in creating change in our communities. This is a guest
July 13 is a national advocacy day aimed at elevating the importance of keeping kids learning, healthy and safe while out of school. Here are five ways your city can promote its summer programs — plus a playbook and a few ideas from other cities. While the summer months mean fun in the sun and
John Smith and Jason Ewas work in economic development policy for the city of Boston. This week, they share how equity plays a central role in Boston Mayor Martin Walsh’s economic development agenda. This post is part of a series on NLC’s Equitable Economic Development (EED) Fellowship. Carlos Delgado: John and Jason, thank you for
Our country’s growing political tension between city leadership and state legislatures has long historic roots in America, NLC Director of Research Christiana McFarland writes this week in Route Fifty. Current issues ranging from municipal broadband to civil rights to the minimum wage have been involved — but the pattern is not new, says McFarland: “A
Happy Independence Day! At the National League of Cities (NLC), we’re proud to represent all 16,000 of America’s cities, towns, villages, hamlets and communities. It’s our belief that every city matters and deserves to have a voice — regardless of size, location, or history. That’s why throughout June we’ve celebrated Small Cities Month, highlighting our
Every year, the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) brings together city leaders from across the country to build leadership skills and create close connections with fellow local elected leaders. Here are three crucial reasons why you’ve got to make it to Birmingham and Bessemer, Alabama to attend this year’s event: Learn and
