As America's cities grapple with post-pandemic challenges like rising crime, economic uncertainty, and strained public services, urban leaders are rethinking how to govern, collaborate, and rebuild. Governing's Winter Issue explores these dynamics, highlighting how mayors, philanthropies, and city planners are reshaping the urban landscape through redevelopment projects, innovative partnerships, and efforts to reclaim public spaces —while confronting persistent policy hurdles like AI regulation and social media's societal impact.

Governing* Editor Alan Greenblatt and Senior Writer Jared Brey join the podcast to discuss their reporting on the future of American cities.

Show Notes

Here are the top-five takeaways from this episode:

1. Urban Governance Under Scrutiny

   Major U.S. cities, predominantly led by Democratic mayors, face governance challenges heightened by pandemic-driven issues like remote work, crime, and homelessness. Alan Greenblatt highlights how these crises have tested mayors' abilities and strained city resources, fueling public dissatisfaction and political consequences.

2. Reclaiming the Built Environment

   Jared Brey's reporting on New Haven, Conn., illustrates efforts to reverse the damage caused by mid-20th century urban renewal projects. Mayor Justin Elicker's administration focuses on making highways and surrounding areas safer and more accessible, aiming to reshape urban spaces for residents' well-being and community engagement.

3. Foundations as City Builders

   Greenblatt's piece on Pittsburgh reveals how philanthropic foundations are transforming from passive donors into active investors. By funding large-scale urban redevelopment projects like tech-driven manufacturing hubs, foundations play roles once reserved for municipal governments, reshaping economic futures.

4. Mayors as Conveners and Collaborators

   While mayors have limited direct authority in complex urban ecosystems, they serve as critical connectors. By rallying business, university, and philanthropic leaders, mayors can drive urban development, leveraging their positions to coordinate diverse stakeholders for city-wide improvements.

5. Emerging Policy Challenges

   Looking ahead, Governing's "Issues to Watch" package explores pressing topics, including city budget constraints, crime, and new tech governance challenges like regulating AI and social media use. These evolving issues underscore the complexity of urban policymaking in the coming year.

The magazine features mentioned in this episode will post on governing.com on January 3, 2025.

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*Governing and Government Technology are divisions of e.Republic LLC.

In 2024, state and local governments navigated a rapidly evolving technology landscape that placed artificial intelligence, cybersecurity resilience, digital equity, accessibility and user experience at the top of their agendas. These pressing issues fueled a surge in AI-focused legislation, prompted tighter security measures following high-profile disruptions, advanced broadband initiatives and inclusive design mandates, and inspired ever more user-centric digital services.

Government Technology staff writers Julia Edinger and Ashley Silver and Governing Senior Staff Writer Jule Pattison-Gordon join the podcast to talk through the magazine's year-in-review issue.

Here are the top five takeaways from this episode:

1. AI's Growing Role and Regulation: State and local governments moved quickly to embrace artificial intelligence in 2024, going beyond pilot projects into everyday operations. Lawmakers introduced hundreds of AI-related bills, and agencies formed task forces, appointed executive-level AI leaders and joined coalitions to develop policies and governance. Yet, most jurisdictions still lack fully mature frameworks, leaving them to catch up as employees and constituents turn to AI tools.

2. Cybersecurity Threats and Responses: Cyber incidents underscored the critical need for stronger security measures. From faulty software updates at cybersecurity vendors to attacks on infrastructure players like health-care clearinghouses, governments grappled with complex challenges. The state and local cybersecurity grant program spurred greater adoption of .gov domains and fostered closer ties among jurisdictions, though concerns remain about long-term funding and political will.

3. Digital Equity and Broadband Expansion: With robust federal funding, states crafted digital equity plans, securing grants and advancing broadband projects to close connectivity gaps. The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program fueled progress, and states focused on making websites, services and tools more accessible, aiming for inclusivity to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards and serve diverse populations.

4. Accessibility and Inclusion: Government leaders turned their attention to ensuring digital content meets accessibility guidelines. States appointed chief accessibility officers, implemented training and adopted assistive technologies. The moves aim to serve people with disabilities more effectively while also providing intuitive interfaces that benefit all users.

5. Evolving Government Experience: Agencies increasingly put user experience at the forefront. AI chatbots, streamlined permitting systems and mobile-friendly platforms saved constituents time and reshaped public interaction with government. While high-tech solutions often prevailed, officials balanced convenience with oversight, data governance and a renewed focus on inclusivity and trust in digital services.

Related Link to stories referenced in the episode:

Year in Review 2024: AI Impacts All Areas of Gov Tech

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In this episode of The Future in Context, host Ashley Silver speaks with Cody Tyler, managing director at EXOS CYBER, about the critical cybersecurity challenges facing state and local governments. The discussion explores why government agencies are frequent targets for cyber criminals, the dual role of artificial intelligence in security, and the importance of workforce training to combat these evolving threats.

Here are the top five takeaways from this episode:

1. Government agencies are prime targets for cyber criminals.

Government agencies, Tyler explains, face increased cyber threats because of their critical role in maintaining essential services such as power and water, their access to sensitive data, and their reliance on outdated systems. These factors make them susceptible to ransomware, phishing and data theft, with artificial intelligence enabling more sophisticated attacks.

2. Multifactor authentication and user awareness training are essential.

The conversation emphasizes that multifactor authentication can prevent most phishing attacks when paired with regular employee awareness training, including simulated phishing exercises.

3. Collaboration with cybersecurity firms is vital.

Tyler reveals how partnerships between government agencies and cybersecurity firms strengthen defenses against evolving threats. These collaborations provide specialized expertise to assess vulnerabilities, implement safeguards such as multifactor authentication, and develop recovery plans to minimize damage.

4. Emerging technologies like AI offer opportunities and risks.

While advanced AI can enhance cybersecurity by analyzing data and detecting threats, it also introduces new challenges, such as fully automated attacks and sophisticated phishing schemes. Tyler stresss the need for proactive and adaptive strategies to address these vulnerabilities.

5. Workforce training is key to overcoming cybersecurity challenges.

Tyler underscores the importance of regular training and "defense in depth" strategies to address workforce gaps in cybersecurity. Initiatives such as workshops and phishing simulations, and layered security measures help employees adapt to emerging threats, particularly staff less familiar with modern technology.

Listen to this episode on the player below or subscribe for free on YouTube or the podcast app of your choice — Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audacy and Audible.

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There are new questions about the future of U.S. transportation funding after the election. Experts are eyeing a shift in priorities, with local transit measures seeing success in unexpected places and tensions rising over partisan divides. While federal investments in infrastructure have sparked broad support, the future of transportation policy — at both the federal and local levels — remains uncertain, influenced by everything from climate goals to regional politics.

Senior Staff Writers Jared Brey (Governing*) and Skip Descant (Government Technology*) join the podcast for a special post-election episode of Your Mileage May Vary to discuss the prospects for transit during a time of political transition.

Here are the top-five takeaways from this episode:

1. Partisan Dynamics in Transit Policy: Transportation infrastructure shows mixed partisanship: Transit funding often aligns with urban, Democrat-led areas, while Republicans favor car-oriented infrastructure in rural and suburban districts. Local-level ballot measures, such as Nashville's recent success funding multimodal transit, illustrate this divide.

2. Shift Toward Basics and Multimodal Solutions: Cities like Nashville and Seattle are prioritizing foundational infrastructure — such as sidewalks, busways and safer intersections — over costly, flashy projects like light rail. This approach aims to create transit systems that meet immediate needs and build public trust.

3. Federal Investment and Uncertainty: The Biden administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law spurred transportation investments popular across party lines. However, the incoming Trump administration raises questions about priorities, particularly in electric vehicle policies and emissions standards.

4. Challenges in Transit Expansion: Efforts to expand transit into suburbs face repeated setbacks, as seen in Atlanta's MARTA system and San Francisco's ride-share tax failure. These examples highlight public resistance to funding transit despite growing urban-suburban connectivity needs.

5. Future Issues to Watch: Key upcoming debates include reauthorization of the Highway Trust Fund in 2026, the ongoing decline of public transit ridership and funding, and the widening policy gaps between states pursuing climate-focused transportation initiatives and those resisting federal influence.

Related Link to stories referenced in the episode:

• What the 2024 Election Could Mean for Transportation Policy

• Calif. Strengthens Emissions, Clean Transportation Standards

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*Governing and Government Technology are divisions of e.Republic LLC.

Governments can drive economic growth and mutual progress by collaborating with communities to co-create innovative projects. But how can they effectively spark this collaboration?

In the latest episode of The Future in Context, host Ashley Silver interviews author Fern Tiger about her new book, Creative Instigation. The conversation highlights the importance of authentic community engagement before launching technology or economic development projects, the challenges governments and organizations face, and the innovative strategies that can lead to meaningful solutions. Drawing on her extensive community work experience, Tiger emphasizes the need to understand local contexts and histories to foster effective public-private partnerships.

Here are the five top takeaways from this week's episode:

1. Challenges With Community Engagement: Tiger explains why traditional community engagement tools, like polls and surveys, often fall short. According to Tiger, these methods can fail to capture true community sentiments, as responses may vary based on factors as fleeting as a participant's mood. Effective engagement should challenge communities to reflect on their feelings about issues, going beyond surface-level feedback.

2. Tailoring Engagement to Each Community's Context: Governments can build trust and transparency by taking a hands-on approach, listening actively to residents and leaders, and staying responsive to evolving community dynamics. Genuine feedback can lead to policies and initiatives that more accurately address community needs.

3. Financial Constraints on Innovation: One major obstacle to government-community projects is budget limitations. Tiger discusses how funding challenges can stifle creativity and limit future initiatives, highlighting the need for innovative financing and partnerships that can unlock resources and drive change.

4. Case Study in Hawaii: Tiger shares a case study from Hawaii, where local officials, community advocates and residents collaborated to enhance innovation projects. This example illustrates the power of authentic dialog and the tangible benefits of understanding unique community needs.

5. Future Plans: The episode wraps up with a look at what's next for Tiger following the release of Creative Instigation Oct. 22.

Related Link to the book referenced in the episode:

Fern Tiger, Creative Instigation: The Art & Strategy of Authentic Community Engagement, New York, NYU Press, October 2024.

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As Americans contemplate the implications of a consequential general election, this may be a good time to reflect on the state of the American dream. It is still a powerful idea. And it faces challenges — some are old and intractable, others are novel if not surprising.

Allan Golston, president of the U.S. Program for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, joined the podcast to explore the intersection of economic mobility and the American dream.

He emphasized the need for equitable access to education and jobs, streamlined government support systems, and the transformative potential of generative AI in addressing resource constraints across U.S. communities.

Here are the top five takeaways from this episode:

1. Influence of Personal History: Golston's upbringing in a middle-class family, supported by education and hard work, deeply shaped his values. His mother's resilience and dedication to his education influenced his career focus on supporting opportunities for others to achieve economic mobility.

2. Challenges to the American Dream: Golston highlighted declining economic mobility, citing a significant drop from 90 percent of 1940s-born children earning more than their parents to only 50 percent of 1980s-born children. This shift underscores the importance of equitable access to education and job opportunities to keep the American dream alive.

3. Education and Job Market Systems as Key to Mobility: At the Gates Foundation, Golston focuses on strengthening U.S. education and job markets. He advocates for streamlined public education systems, including high-quality early learning, literacy, and post-secondary opportunities. Additionally, simplifying access to safety net benefits is crucial for those encountering life's unexpected setbacks.

4. Solutions-Based Innovations in Government Services: Golston shared examples, such as Michigan's simplified benefits application, that reduce red tape, making essential support accessible. Similarly, initiatives like Results for America's Economic Mobility Catalog promote evidence-based programs to help local governments implement proven solutions for issues like food insecurity and housing.

5. Generative AI's Potential for Equitable Education: Golston sees generative AI as transformative for education, reducing teacher workload by automating grading and making timely feedback accessible. However, he emphasizes that AI resources must be equitable across communities, and biases must be addressed to maximize AI's positive impact on economic mobility and educational equity.

Related Link to resources referenced in the episode:

• Results for America's Economic Mobility Catalog, developed with the support of the Gates Foundation.

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West Virginia state Sen. Patricia Rucker, a strong advocate for universal school choice, is transforming the state's education system with a vision shaped by her experiences as an immigrant and former teacher. Known for championing vulnerable communities, Rucker has faced opposition from both parties and unions in her determined push for expanded educational options. Her efforts reflect her optimism for West Virginia's potential as a center for opportunity and growth.

Rucker, part of the 2024 class of Public Officials of the Year — a special recognition by Governing magazine, the sister publication of Government Technology* — has been a driving force in making school vouchers universally accessible in her state. Former Governing staff writer Zina Hutton joins the podcast to discuss Rucker's work in education reform.

Here are the top 5 takeaways from this episode:

1. Commitment to Universal School Choice: Sen. Patricia Rucker is a leading advocate for comprehensive school choice legislation in West Virginia, aiming to serve students regardless of income or district. Her vision extends beyond limited voucher programs, supporting a range of options, including microschools, to meet diverse educational needs.

2. Influence of Personal Immigrant Experience: Rucker's background as a Venezuelan immigrant who navigated language and cultural barriers fuels her passion for education. Her experiences as a student, teacher and homeschooling parent shape her approach to policy, fostering empathy for families with unique educational challenges.

3. Dedication to Vulnerable Populations: Rucker prioritizes underserved communities, focusing on those often overlooked by traditional legislation, such as rural families and vulnerable groups in need of more educational options. Her efforts seek to ensure equal opportunities for these populations.

4. Resilience Amid Pushback: Despite opposition from within her party and from unions, Rucker held firm on her stance for school reform. She engaged with dissenting lawmakers and remained resolute in the face of criticism, ultimately achieving significant legislative success.

5. Optimism for West Virginia's Growth: Rucker believes educational reform can drive economic and social progress in West Virginia, attracting educators, entrepreneurs and families who see the state as a rising hub of opportunity and growth.

Related Links to stories referenced in the episode:

• · Public Officials of the Year: Overview

• · The Woman Who Helped Kick Off a School Choice Revolution (Rucker POY profile)

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At a time when cities are grappling with multifaceted challenges, Rob Lloyd has taken on the complex challenges of transforming Seattle's tech landscape. Recently appointed to the pivotal role of chief technology officer, Lloyd brings a holistic approach to public service, blending insights from his tenure in San Jose with innovative strategies for tackling pressing urban issues like homelessness and public safety. As he takes the reins in a city known for its technological prowess, Lloyd brings a commitment to collaboration, mentorship, and data-driven decision-making.

Lloyd is one of Governing's* 2024 Public Officials of the Year, a special recognition of people who make government work. Government Technology* Senior Staff Writer Thad Rueter joins the podcast to discuss his profile of Seattle's CTO.

Show Notes:

Here are the top five takeaways from this episode:

1. Holistic Approach to Public Issues: Lloyd emphasizes the need for a comprehensive strategy in addressing urban challenges. His experience in San Jose shaped his view that collaboration across various sectors — public health, law enforcement and public works — is essential for effective problem-solving, especially in complex issues like homelessness.

2. Leadership and Humility: Lloyd works across conventional boundaries and disciplines without asserting himself as the sole authority. This balance fosters an environment where others feel valued and encouraged to contribute their insights and expertise.

3. Mentoring and Talent Retention: Lloyd's approach to leadership focuses on understanding and nurturing talent within the public sector. He recognizes that younger employees are motivated by more than just financial incentives; they seek meaningful work and opportunities for growth, which he aims to provide.

4. Navigating Post-Pandemic Challenges: Lloyd's views on the role of technology in a post-pandemic world reflect his belief in data-driven decision-making. He sees technology as a crucial tool for managing various urban challenges and plans to leverage it to improve city operations and services.

5. Future Challenges and Opportunities: As Seattle faces multiple issues such as cybersecurity, climate change and disaster preparedness, Lloyd is taking a proactive role in addressing these concerns. His past experiences in San Jose are anticipated to inform his strategies as he leads Seattle into a new phase of urban governance, aiming to attract innovative talent and ideas.

Related Links to stories referenced in the episode:

• Public Officials of the Year: Overview

• A National Leader in Public-Sector Tech Moves to a New City (Lloyd POY profile)

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*Government Technology is a sister publication to Governing. Both are divisions of e.Republic.