NLC

Earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released proposed revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule to reduce lead exposure in drinking water. Under the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Proposed Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, the agency aims to identify the most impacted areas, strengthen treatment requirements, replace lead service lines, increase

Every hour, 26% of local governments report a cyberattack. But according to a new NLC analysis, done in partnership with the Public Technology Institute, nearly a quarter don’t have a cybersecurity plan that is designed to protect government information systems from attack/provide steps for recovery in case of attack. Fortunately, we have recommendations for how you can

Housing affordability is about more than the list price of a home. San Antonio, for example, is one of the fastest growing large cities in the United States. The region’s rapid economic and population growth has caused local housing costs to increase faster than AMI for nearly two decades. For residents, that means homes are increasingly

By Cory Poris Plasch, Dr. Michael Adams, and Carroll G. Robinson How can we encourage young adults – particularly those of color, an often underrepresented demographic – to engage in the election process? That was the question researchers from Texas Southern University (TSU) and Polco sought to answer. TSU, a Historically Black College or University

There are countless reasons why supporting the early childhood workforce is central to an economically thriving community. Much like construction workers shape our infrastructure through building our cities’ roads, bridges, and buildings, the early childhood workforce plays an integral role in shaping the development of our most valuable resource—young children. Municipal leaders recognize the importance

There are more than 18 million veterans currently living in the United States, making up roughly 7.3 percent of the population. With Veterans Day approaching, here’s how local leaders can work to ensure that all people who honorably served our country have access to a safe home, designed to meet their specific needs. In some

In August, Congress approved a bipartisan two-year budget deal for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. The agreement raises overall spending caps for defense and non-defense discretionary programs by $321 billion over two years. Funding for domestic programs will increase by 4.5%, or $27 billion, over the FY19 level. NLC’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget tracker tracks specific FY20 spending

By Kathleen M. O’Donnell, writer and editor at the American Institute of Architects. Austin, Texas, is a shining example of how sustainability can contribute to the development and growth of a city. Through its Office of Sustainability and the work of local architects, Austin provides a thoughtful framework for other cities to consider when crafting

There is no economic evidence that high quality physical places alone will lead to new businesses. Of course the physical infrastructure of a city impacts the ability for people to interact. And various issues, such as affordable housing, mobility and blight, hamstring countless cities. But when it comes to supporting new businesses, the prevailing zeitgeist

As part of Grand Rapids’ participation in the Cities of Opportunity pilot, an initiative to advance cross-sector health equity work, the city added health and environment as a new strategic priority. The National League of Cities (NLC) spoke with Becky Jo Glover, chief customer service and innovation officer for the City of Grand Rapids, and