ProGov21 Policy Library

Protecting Our Data: What Cities Should Know About Cybersecurity

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2019

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source National League of Cities

Policy Areas Data & Technology, Public Safety

The pressure on cities to become smarter or more digitally connected is mounting, resulting in a frenzy of competition and anxiety about being left behind. This report identifies the importance of making cybersecurity an administrative and budgetary priority. It recommends conducting...

Improving Health Outcomes for All through Local Policymaking

Type Article

Year 2018

Level City or Town, County

State(s) Wisconsin

Source High Road Strategy Center

Policy Areas Community Development, Health

Community leaders should engage in comprehensive local action to reduce health disparities and address social determinants of health in their communities. The Legacy Community Alliance for Health provides training and resources to municipal staff across Wisconsin. It encourages collaboration...

The City`s Role in Private Sector Job Quality

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2023

Level City or Town

State(s) California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington

Source Local Progress

Policy Areas Economic Justice

The prevalence of poor job quality in the private sector highlights the need for stronger protections and enforcement. Cities should enact local worker protection laws, establish labor enforcement agencies, and create industry standards boards to ensure fair wages, safe conditions,...

Early Childhood Success: Making Way for Early Childhood in Municipal Government

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2018

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source Mayors Innovation Project

Policy Areas Children & Families, Education

This presentation highlights the need for strong early learning communities to support young children and their families. Collaboration across multiple agencies can support school readiness and long-term economic prosperity. Community leaders should enhance home visiting programs,...

Cities Vote: Municipal Action Guide - Race Equity and Voting in 2021 and Beyond

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2020

Level City or Town, National

State(s) All States

Source National League of Cities

Policy Areas Civil Rights, Democracy & Governance

Historical and structural barriers like voter ID laws, gerrymandering, and limited polling sites have disproportionately disenfranchised affects, Indigenous, Latinx/Hispanic, and communities of color. All levels of government should implement voting systems that ensures accessible...

How Salem, MA Launched a “Food Farm” to Provide Thousands of Pounds of Organically Grown Food to Local Families

Type Article

Year 2021

Level City or Town

State(s) Massachusetts

Source Bright Cities and Mayors Innovation Project

Policy Areas Community Development, Education, Food, Health

The Covid-19 crisis exacerbated the lack of accessible, organic produce and high food insecurity being faced by residents of Salem, MA. This article outlines how the city established a municipal farm and food forest to provide organically grown food to local families, supported by...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

The Challenge & Promise of Reentry in Municipalities

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2021

Level City or Town, County, National, State

State(s) All States

Source National League of Cities

Policy Areas Civil Rights, Community Development, Public Safety

Cities must support strong and effective reentry programs. This report highlights the benefits of reentry programs such as reduced crime, reduced victimization, and stronger communities. It recommends partnering with institutions of higher education, collaborating with judiciary and...

Local Leaders Set the P.A.C.E. for Infants, Toddlers, and Families

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2023

Level City or Town

State(s) Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont

Source National League of Cities

Policy Areas Children & Families, Education, Health

There is a great discrepancy between what families need and the affordability and access of what is available. Local elected officials should prioritize early care and education, align supports through collaboration, convene key stakeholders, and educate the public and policymakers...

Navigating the Political Landscape for Early Childhood Success

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2023

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source National League of Cities

Policy Areas Children & Families, Democracy & Governance, Education

Local government plays a key role in ensuring all young children have the resources and opportunities to reach their full potential and with their families, live healthy and prosperous lives. Elected officials must understand how to navigate the city governance structure to build...

Strong Towns Strategic Plan 2022 Update

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2022

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source Strong Towns

Policy Areas Community Development, Housing, Transportation & Mobility

To address unsustainable suburban development and financial insolvency in local governments, this report recommends the Strong Towns approach, which focuses on incremental investments, financial transparency, and community collaboration to foster resilient communities. Related to...

Local Option Transportation Taxes: Devolution as Revolution

Type Article

Year 2003

Level City or Town, County, State

State(s) California

Source ACCESS Magazine, University of California, Berkeley

Policy Areas Finance & Procurement, Transportation & Mobility

Revenues from traditional user fees like tolls and fuel taxes have been falling for decades, failing to keep up with inflation and the rising costs of transportation infrastructure. State should allow local governments to raise funds through local taxes to finance transportation projects....

Local Food and Economic Development: A Guide for Local Governments

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2014

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source Mayors Innovation Project

Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Food

Many communities are working to scale up local food production to meet retail and wholesale demand. Cities should support the local food value chain through economic development strategies including: establishing food policy councils, supporting food hubs, and promoting local purchasing...

Responding to First Amendment “Audits” in the Local Government Context

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2022

Level City or Town, County

State(s) North Carolina

Source School of Government. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Policy Areas Civil Rights, Democracy & Governance, Public Safety

Local government employees are increasingly being filmed by individuals claiming to exercise First Amendment rights, creating anxiety and safety concerns. To address this, counties should adopt clear, content-neutral policies on filming within government buildings. These policies...

The State of Early Childhood Success: 2021 Annual Report

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2021

Level City or Town, National

State(s) All States

Source National League of Cities

Policy Areas Children & Families, Community Development, Education

Local leaders play a critical role in ensuring that communities have the early childhood infrastructure in place to expand access to child care, support universal preschool, and build equitable cities. Young children are especially vulnerable to the impact of social injustice and...

Election 2024: Voting Rights and Access

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2024

Level City or Town, National

State(s) Colorado, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin

Source Mayors Innovation Project

Policy Areas Democracy & Governance

A healthy democracy depends on high engagement and a representation of diverse viewpoints, but systemic barriers continue to perpetuate inequities in local elections. Local officials should create and implement Democracy Plans, enhance voter engagement through education, offer registration...

Incentivizing Landlords to Advance Eviction Prevention

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2023

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source National League of Cities

Policy Areas Housing

Cities must rethink their strategies for incentivizing mom-and-pop landlords to participate in eviction prevention programs and advance housing stability. This toolkit provides recommendations for increasing incentives to engage landlords in local eviction prevention efforts and improve...

An Overview of Homeless Encampments for City Leaders

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2020

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source National League of Cities

Policy Areas Health, Housing, Public Safety

The growth of homeless encampments across the country reflects systemic failures, including a lack of affordable housing, insufficient shelter options, and punitive policies that criminalize homelessness. Encampments, while often criticized, provide some individuals with a sense of...

Vote at Home: A City Leader’s Guide to Safe and Secure Voting in a Global Pandemic

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, Public Safety

Ensuring safe and secure voting during a global pandemic requires that leaders implement at-home systems to facilitate voting while minimizing health risks. This guide provides toolkits and resources to assist localities in setting up and promoting vote-at-home options....

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,...

Electrify Everything! How City Government Can Lead the Way

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2024

Level City or Town

State(s) Vermont

Source Mayors Innovation Project

Policy Areas Energy, Environment & Natural Resources, Transportation & Mobility

Climate change and fossil fuel dependency leave communities vulnerable and compromise public health. Cities should prioritize infrastructure investments and incentivize energy efficiency to ensure long-term sustainability. This case study highlights how one community transitioned...

EITC Awareness Day Toolkit

Type Fact Sheet or Infographic

Year 2024

Level City or Town, National

State(s) All States

Source National League of Cities (NLC)

Policy Areas Economic Justice, Finance & Procurement

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program helps low- and moderate-income residents achieve financial stability, but some qualified people are unaware of it. This outreach campaign guide suggests partnering with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs to increase awareness...

ProGov21 Policy Library

Remove Entry

There was an error communicating with the server.

There was an error while saving your data.

Error

Update Page Content

You are leaving the page