News Archive
Cardboard piles up in San Francisco as recession hits recycling black market
A drop in the price for recycled cardboard has led San Francisco's illegal recycling haulers, known as "mosquito fleets," to stop collections....
APWA, NARC sign cooperative agreement
The American Public Works Association and National Association of Regional Councils have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together in addressing public works and local government issues....
City officials' outlook for nation worst in two decades, survey shows
City officials' pessimism concerning the nation's direction is the worst its been in nearly 20 years, according to a survey from...
Critic claims Main Street Economic Recovery package contains pork
The $73.2 billion Main Street Economic Recovery package proposed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors contains about $376.5 million in pork, said one critic in a report by Atlanta-based CNN....
USCM homelessness/hunger survey shows continuing increase in need
The U.S. Conference of Mayors has released its "2008 Status Report on Hunger & Homelessness," and, once again, the survey shows an increase in the demand for emergency food assistance and in homelessness in participating communities....
What can be done to curb 'pay-to-play' politics?
What steps can be taken — such as mandatory sentences in federal corruption cases, better ethics education for public officials or increased whistleblower protection — to curb pay-to-play politics?...
New York creates statewide plastic bag recycling program
New legislation will require large grocers and retailers across New York State that use plastic bags to provide bins to collect the bags for recycling....
Texas governor launches child obesity initiative
Texas Gov. Rick Perry is challenging his gubernatorial colleagues to join him in Virgin HealthMiles' Capitol Steps Challenge campaign against childhood obesity....
Illinois gets bad press over governor's arrest, association says
Media reporting on Tuesday's arrest of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on federal corruption charges is misrepresenting the state as a hotbed of corruption...
"Shovel-ready" projects could provide a half-million jobs, survey finds
There are more than 3,600 ready-to-go local infrastructure projects around the nation that, if funded by a proposed federal economic recovery package, could provide more than 532,000 jobs...
New Web site educates governments on National Emergency Management Network
A new Web site aims to provide information to new and current members of the National Emergency Management Network (NEMN), a network of...
Illinois governor, chief of staff indicted on federal corruption charges
FBI agents arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his Chief of Staff John Harris Tuesday on a federal indictment that alleges the governor tried to sell President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat for campaign contributions and other personal benefits....
Mayors renew call for Main Street recovery plan
On Monday, the mayors of the nation's largest cities renewed their calls for President-elect Barack Obama and Congress to pass a Main Street stimulus package in the first 100 days of the new administration....
IAFC, others, invite applications for Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship Program
The International Association of Fire Chiefs, in partnership with several other agencies, is accepting applications for participation in its 2009 Harvard Fire Executive Fellowship Program....
States face $97 billion budget gap in next two years
Having just closed a $40 billion gap in the fiscal year (FY) 2009 budget, states' may see that financial crevasse grow by another $97 billion...
NLC, purchasing alliance, offer help with spending Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds
Communities that have been hit hard by foreclosures are looking for help from the newly created Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which makes available $3.92 billion for local governments to buy vacant and foreclosed homes...
WaterSmart Innovations Conference calls for abstracts
The WaterSmart Innovations Conference is calling for abstracts on potential presentations for its next exposition, scheduled for Oct. 7-9 in Las Vegas....
Birmingham mayor arrested on corruption charges
Birmingham, Ala., Mayor Larry Langford has been named in a 101-count federal indictment on charges including conspiracy, bribery, fraud, money laundering and filing...
Mayors, USGBC form alliance for green schools
In keeping with its 2007 resolution calling for green schools for all children within a generation, the U.S. Conference of Mayors is working with the U.S. Green Building Council to build a mayor's alliance that will promote...
IAFC TV makes world wide premiere
The International Association of Fire Chiefs has launched its own Internet television channel, IAFC TV. IAFC TV will broadcast news, town hall meetings...
NGA center aims to improve states' public safety interoperable communications
The National Governors Association's Center for Best Practices has chosen six states to participate in its "Public Safety Interoperability Communications Policy Academy: Focus on Governance."...
Energy independence within most states' grasp, report shows
A locally focused federal energy policy could help at least half of the 50 states achieve energy self-sufficiency, according to a Institute for Local Self-Reliance report that includes estimates of the amount of electricity and fuels...
Local pension plans as well funded as states', according to report
Locally administered pension plans are as well funded as state plans and have better track records for making their Annual Required Contributions...
California city launches online retail store
Santa Clarita, Calif., residents no longer have to leave home to buy their favorite city-branded items. The city opened an online boutique last week...
USGBC calling for public comment on LEED for Neighborhood Development
The U.S. Green Building Council is accepting public comments on its LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system. The rating system would serve as a guide to ensure ...
