University of Wisconsin–Madison
Progressive Local Government
For the 21st Century

ProGov21 Policy Library

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Year
Homeward Bound: The Road to Affordable Housing
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2020
Level City or Town, National
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Housing
Across the United States, subsidized and affordably priced homes for rental and homeownership are disappearing. This report analyzes the factors that caused the nation's housing crisis, provides case studies of cities spearheading innovative housing policies, and outlines recommendations...
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Cities and the Metaverse
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2022
Level City or Town, National
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Community Development, Data & Technology, Democracy & Governance
This report examines the metaverse, and its transformative potential in urban experiences through technologies like blockchain, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). It highlights how these tools can enhance government operations, urban planning, tourism, and public services,...
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Fiscal Challenges Facing Cities: Implications for Recovery
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2009
Level City or Town
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Finance & Procurement
This report examines the fiscal crises facing many U.S. cities, and how city leaders approach economic recovery. It finds that while deteriorating financial conditions frequently lead to service cutbacks and layoffs, some city officials are pursuing fiscal stability by rebalancing...
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The Role of Local Elected Officials in Economic Development
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2010
Level County
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Economic Justice, Civil Rights, Community Development, Public Spaces, Democracy & Governance
Dedicated leadership is necessary for a city to achieve successful, long-term, equitable economic development. This guide outlines ten things elected officials should know about economic development in order to serve as effective leaders. They should be aware of their city's economic...
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The Eviction Prevention Cohort: Highlights from the Five-City Pilot
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2020
Level City or Town
State(s) Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Housing
The Eviction Prevention Cohort is a partnership between NLC, Stanford Legal Design Lab, and five cities across the U.S. to study the long-term impacts of mass evictions - particularly on low-income and BIPOC households - and to design, implement, and institutionalize effective policies...
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Conducting a Scan of Local Efforts to Promote Postsecondary Success
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2017
Level City or Town
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Education
Postsecondary credentials have become increasingly necessary to obtain a family-supporting job. In order to increase postsecondary attainment levels, young people and adults will need a variety of services and supports to address college readiness, access, and financing. This report...
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Expanding Economic Mobility through the Municipal Workforce
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2021
Level City or Town
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Economic Justice, Finance & Procurement
Municipal governments are often one of the largest employers in a region and can directly impact the financial stability and mobility of their workers. This policy brief identifies the impact of strong worker benefits and provides recommendations for increasing economic mobility....
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Opioid Use Disorder: City Actions and Opportunities to Address the Epidemic
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2018
Level City or Town, County, National, State
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Health
Local leaders can have a profound impact on how the opioid epidemic is addressed and managed in their community. This brief outlines steps cities can take to address the opioid epidemic; including promoting evidence-based prevention programs, advocating for expanded prevention, treatment,...
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Municipal Finance and Infrastructure over the Last Century
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2023
Level City or Town
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Finance & Procurement, Public Spaces, Transportation & Mobility
Fluctuating municipal revenues and expenditures create budget instability, affecting social services and infrastructure development. This report outlines how cities can address this issue by diversifying their tax bases, accessing intergovernmental transfers, and generating fees or...
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Municipal Support of Out of School Time Programs
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2022
Level City or Town
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Children & Families, Community Development, Education, Public Safety
Limited access to high-quality Out of School Time (OST) programs disproportionately affects underserved communities, hindering child care access, workforce development, and public safety. City leaders should increase funding, form cross-sector partnerships, and enhance program accessibility...
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The Future of Cities: Reenvisioning Retail
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2021
Level City or Town
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Public Spaces
This report highlighs the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically for local businesses. Local governments can help by creating people-centered places through flexible land use codes, blended brick-and-mortar and online retail, community hubs, and workforce development...
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Advancing Holistic Well-Being Measures in Atlanta and in Cities Throughout the United States
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2021
Level City or Town, National
State(s) All States, Georgia
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Civil Rights, Community Development, Economic Justice, Health
American cities must develop comparable measures of well-being to advance policy changes and investments that improve health and equity. This brief supports well-being measurement in cities and provides recommendations. Best practices include comprehensive surveys to gather data about...
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Cities in the Cloud: What City Leaders Need to Know About Cloud Computing
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2021
Level City or Town, County, State
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Data & Technology, Democracy & Governance
As technology constantly evolves and poses challenges for cities to navigate, city leaders must stay informed on the benefits of modern solutions and approaches. This policy brief highlights cloud computing and provides recommendations for municipalities. Best practices include launching...
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Message Guide: Advancing Health and Equity Through Housing
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2021
Level City or Town, County
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Health, Housing
This communications guide provides customizable messaging for healthy housing policies based on city's priority issues, decision-making structure and specific policy goals. It is for anyone working to build support for healthy housing within city government, among key stakeholders...
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Alternatives to Arrest for Young People
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2017
Level City or Town
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Public Safety
Evidence shows that young people achieve better life outcomes and are less likely to commit future crimes when kept out of juvenile court and detention facilities. This brief highlights case studies in which cities have diverted youth away from the juvenile justice system through...
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Reimagining Parking: An Action Guide on Adaptions, Flexible Uses and Resilient Development
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2022
Level National
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Community Development, Public Spaces, Transportation & Mobility
Parking must be reimagined as concerns grow about its economic, environmental, social and health costs. This guide highlights the importance of adapting parking through existing spaces, green infrastructure, and multimodal strategies. It recommends adopting parking maximums, installing...
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Creating Resilient and Inclusive Economies
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2022
Level City or Town, County
State(s) Alabama, Massachusetts, Wisconsin
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice
Cities face growing social inequality and a decline in economic dynamism, which can be addressed through equitable, entrepreneurship-driven policies. The report emphasizes reducing barriers for BIPOC- and women-owned businesses by reforming public and anchor procurement practices,...
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Youth Employment and Financial Capability: A Municipal Action Guide
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2017
Level City or Town, County
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Economic Justice, Finance & Procurement
Across the nation, youth employment programs introduce thousands of teens to the working world each year. Cities can improve financial outcomes for future generations of workers by directly incorporating financial capability programs into existing municipal youth employment efforts....
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Meeting Community Needs: Municipal Services and the Public Workforce Over the Past Century
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2024
Level City or Town
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Community Development, Education, Health, Public Safety, Public Spaces, Transportation & Mobility
Rising populations, rising costs, and shifts in the labor force due to automation and privatization requires that local governments adapt their services and systems. Municipalities should leverage federal programs and funding opportunities, expand partnerships with the private and...
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Conversations with Municipal Leaders: Digital Equity in Cities
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2021
Level City or Town
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Civil Rights, Community Development, Data & Technology
Digital equity is key to enabling communities to realize strong economic futures, yet communities are met with systemic challenges in providing access and affordability. This report highlights the perspectives of U.S. cities working to achieve digital equity and provides recommendations....
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Community Land Trusts: A Guide for Local Governments
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2021
Level City or Town
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Housing
This report offers an introduction to the community land trust (CLT) model for housing. It also sheds light on the benefits CLTs bring to both residents and cities (including their role in closing the homeownership gap, improving access to affordable housing, and advancing racial...
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Principles of Home Rule for the 21st Century
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2020
Level City or Town, County, State
State(s) All States
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Democracy & Governance
The NLC identifies four critical aspects of contemporary home rule: home rule should provide local governments the power they need to solve the challenges they face; home rule should advance local fiscal authority; home rule should establish a high bar for states to displace local...
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From Cradle to Preschool: Winter 2020 Policy Meeting
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2020
Level City or Town, National
State(s) All States, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New York, Texas
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Children & Families, Education
Insufficient access to high-quality, affordable early childhood education and care is a critical issue. Local policymakers must collaborate to support child development and the lifelong success of their youngest constituents. To overcome racial and economic disparities, school districts...
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Transportation Electrification 101: A Guide for Local Leaders
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2021
Level City or Town, National
State(s) California, Maryland, Utah
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources, Transportation & Mobility
This report identifies the need to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and electrify the transportation sector to promote economic growth, environmental sustainability, and equity. It recommends implementing policies that support EV adoption, investing in charging infrastructure,...
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Cities Supporting the Early Childhood Workforce
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2018
Level City or Town
State(s) California, Connecticut, Florida, Missouri, New York, Virginia, Washington
Source National League of Cities
Policy Areas Children & Families, Economic Justice, Education
Developing the workforce in early care and education is central to the delivery of high-quality experiences and environments for young children. This brief draws upon learnings from the Cities Supporting the Early Childhood Workforce Initiative and provides recommendations. Best practices...
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