NACo study provides tips on complying with GASB 45
The Washington-based National Association of Counties (NACo) has released a study of the steps 15 counties are taking to comply with the Norwalk, Conn.-based Government Accounting Standards Board’s (GASB) Statement 45, which requires local governments to account for other post-employment benefits (OPEBs), such as health care for retirees....
NBCSL opens 31st annual legislative conference
The focus of the conference, which is being held in Little Rock, Ark., is improving the financial stability and growth in communities nationwide....
Should the death penalty be abolished?
New Jersey has become the first state in 40 years to ban capital punishment....
Climate change will lead to droughts and floods, according to report
Climate change will lead to drought in some parts of the country and floods in other areas, according to a report by the Washington-based Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA). ...
Georgia officials discuss water conservation
With Georgia still suffering from a serious drought that is threatening the water supply for the state’s largest city, Atlanta, local and state government officials, along with private business representatives, gathered Monday at the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce for the Georgia Water Solutions Forum....
NASSCO announces inspector training and certification program
The Owings Mills, Md.-based National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) is offering an inspector training and certification program to field construction professionals, such as municipal engineers....
Los Angeles supports creation of U.S. Department of Peace
On Dec. 7, the 68th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, the Los Angeles City Council passed a resolution supporting legislation in the House that would create a U.S. Department of Peace....
Florida board reopens Local Government Investment Pool
On Wednesday, the Florida State Board of Administration (FSBA) reopened the state’s Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP) to withdrawals nearly one week after closing it....
USCM pushes for passage of energy legislation
The Washington-based U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) is again trying to rally support behind legislation that would create an Energy Efficiency Block Grant (EEBG) program....
Mayor puts Oklahoma City on diet
Troubled by his city’s recent listing as the fast food capital of the country in “Fortune” magazine, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett is launching a weight loss initiative for all residents....
Study shows energy-efficient buildings best for conservation efforts
Energy-efficient building upgrades are one of the most effective and cost-efficient conservation methods to take, according to a two-year study by New York-based McKinsey & Co....
N.C. county approved for HUD’s Good Neighbor Next Door Program
Guilford County, N.C., emergency medical technicians, firefighters, law enforcement officers and teachers will be receiving home-buying assistance through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Good Neighbor Next Door Program....
USCM predicts $166 billion gross domestic product loss from foreclosures
A report from the Washington-based U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) predicts that the recent increase in foreclosures will result in a $166 billion loss to the gross domestic product and a $45 billion loss for the 10 cities hit hardest by the crisis....
Have presidential primaries outlived their usefulness?
Invented in the early 20th century as a way to encourage voter participation, the current primary contest for Democratic and Republican presidential candidacy now fosters a system that leaves the choice in the hands of a few states....
Keep America Beautiful reports decline in cigarette litter
Cigarette litter dropped 54 percent from last year in communities around the country that implement the Keep America Beautiful Cigarette Litter Prevention Program (CLPP), according to the Stamford, Conn.-based organization. That is a 6 percent higher reduction than 2006....
PERI to hold infrastructure symposium
The Fairfax, Va.-based Public Entity Risk Institute (PERI) is planning a free online symposium titled “Infrastructure Risk and Renewal: The Clash of Blue and Green.”...
Will early primaries cause problems for your jurisdiction?
About 30 states are holding early primaries for the presidential election, putting extra pressure on election officials who must test new machines, find enough workers, print ballots and mail absentee ballots....
November Web Platform
In October, President Bush vetoed a bill passed by Congress that would add $35 billion to the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and the House failed to override the veto....
Organizations plan summit on IT in health care
The National Association of Counties (NACo) and the Public Technology Institute (PTI), both based in Washington, and the Lexington, Ky.-based National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) are co-sponsoring the Summit on Health Care Information Technology. ...
Toledo implements domestic violence program for employees
Toledo, Ohio, city employees who are victims of domestic violence will now receive less additional stress from their job....
Georgians call ‘All aboard’ for Brain Train
In the quiet confines of Atlanta’s Commerce Club, a group of Georgia officials and business people gathered to “make noise about commuter rail.”...
NASCIO offers plan for pandemics
The Lexington, Ky.-based National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has created a guide for state CIOs to use during a pandemic outbreak. ...
Stormwater utility survey now available
Educating the public on the cost of doing business is a major concern for respondents to the 2007 National Stormwater Utility Survey recently released by Overland Park, Kan.-based Black & Veatch....
What will be the hot issue for 2008?
As 2007 comes to a close, state and local governments are still fighting for an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program and against the Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act....
ACC Public Services WebExpo scheduled for Wednesday
American City & County will sponsor the Public Services WebExpo and Conference, the first event of its kind, on Wednesday....
