Bill Lucia, Route Fifty

Bill Lucia

Route Fifty

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Past:
  • Route Fifty

Past articles by Bill:

Federal Grants for Broadband Expansion Begin to Flow

Louisiana is the first state to receive planning dollars from a pair of high-speed internet programs in the infrastructure law. Funding is expected to reach other states soon. → Read More

Survey: 52% of State, Local Public Workers Considering Leaving Jobs

State and local governments are, as one expert puts it, "teetering on the brink of a public sector workforce crisis." → Read More

5 Midwest States Form Electric Vehicle Pact

They plan to work together building out charging infrastructure and on other issues. The agreement comes after Ford unveiled plans for big electric vehicle investments in another region. → Read More

What Works? Evidence and Evaluation Key as States and Localities Spend Aid

The federal government is urging states and localities to study the results of their American Rescue Plan Act spending and to adopt programs with proven track records. → Read More

A 50-year-old Unemployment System (Finally) Nears an Overhaul

Wisconsin officials have said the outdated computer technology contributed to problems processing claims during the pandemic. Now they’re looking for bids to revamp it. → Read More

Most States Held Off Draining Savings in Response to Pandemic

Only 15 tapped rainy day funds in fiscal 2020 and reserves remained near record levels. Now, better-than-expected tax revenues and federal aid could limit the need for further withdrawals. → Read More

Heading Into 2021, State and Local Budget Gloom Lingers

Revenues are better than initially expected in some states. But they’re still down in many places as the cost of the pandemic response adds up. → Read More

Possibility of State Medicaid Cuts Looms in 2021

When states reduce spending on the program it also means they lose federal matching funds. Meanwhile, a new report highlights the long-term importance of the health coverage for kids. → Read More

States Are Getting Close to Spending Down Federal Covid Aid

Two surveys of state and local officials find that states and local governments are using up the money, but that restrictions on how it can be spent have been problematic. → Read More

State and Local Education Job Losses Grow in September, as Overall Gains Slow

The latest employment figures come as Democrats in Congress and the White House try to reach agreement on another round of coronavirus relief. → Read More

‘All Kinds of Opportunity Here’: Will the Pandemic Help Improve the Way Cities Operate?

The virus brought about sudden changes to the way cities do business, some of which could stick. Local government leaders discussed this and other ways cities might transform during the final day of Route Fifty's Future Cities event. → Read More

Extra $300 Unemployment Benefit Coming to End as Money Runs Out

President Trump took executive action to extend the benefit after an earlier federal program that provided $600 a week lapsed. → Read More

Capital Budgets and Maintenance in Line to Take Hits, Local Government Survey Finds

The new poll indicates that public works is an area that will see less funding as the coronavirus pandemic weighs on state and local government budgets. → Read More

Paid Leave Measure to Appear on Colorado Ballot This November

The medical and family leave program would be funded by a tax paid by employers and workers in the state. Eight other states now have similar programs in place. → Read More

A Lawsuit Seeks to Restore Local Power to Tax Sugary Drinks

California enacted a law in 2018 that creates a huge roadblock for cities that want to tax soda and other sugary beverages. That statute now faces a challenge in court. → Read More

Virus’ Hit to Sales Tax Revenues is Coming Into Focus and It’s Not Good

New data shows a 10%, or $42 billion, drop in state and local sales tax receipts in the second quarter. Factors like whether groceries are taxed appear to be affecting collections in some states. → Read More

New Study Will Look at Risks to Transit Workers From Virus

A research team will focus on New York City, where the coronavirus has taken a heavy toll on the transit workforce. → Read More

The Nation's Marquee 'Smart City' Program Continues to Evolve

Experts and people involved in the Columbus, Ohio project say it provides a chance for the city and others to learn more about what works and what doesn't with emerging transportation technology. → Read More

‘One-Third of Our Income Is Gone’: A Rural State Faces a Big Budget Gap

Fallout from the coronavirus pandemic and downturns with oil, gas and coal have left Wyoming in a tough financial spot, with deep agency cuts and layoffs on the horizon. → Read More

Over Five Million Have Lost Employer-Based Health Insurance, Study Finds

The losses have come as the coronavirus outbreak has caused widespread layoffs and furloughs. Nearly half of those who lost their insurance are concentrated in five states. → Read More