Commentaries

Commentaries are contributed, non-commercial and educational articles that subject matter experts write for American City & County. If you would like to submit an exclusive commentary, click here to view our guidelines.

Highlights

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The future of carbon emissions and cities lies in green buildings

When you envision the future, what do you see? For me, it’s a place where people of all...

With an historic investment in public spaces, Philadelphia’s Rebuild program is committed to equity in the process

Jobs in the construction industry are family-sustaining careers that have proven to lift...

Commentary

Improving early intervention: Overcoming the top five challenges

The health care industry in 2021 will be unlike any other year. In 2020, we dealt with the pandemic—managing a sudden increase in patients, along with increased data and insights from the new virus. This year, we’re focused on looking towards the future, using lessons from the pandemic to improve health care innovations. As someone […]

Commentary

Is it finally time to acknowledge broadband as a utility?

Apparently, 75 percent of Americans think so. A recent study published by Consumer Reports—Survey on Broadband Affordability, Accessibility, and Quality of Service in the United States—showed a dramatic shift from previous years’ surveys. Over three-quarters of U.S. residents now view home internet as a basic necessity with a similar share of respondents voicing support for […]

Commentary

Employment in the public education sector has rebounded, but educators still face an uncertain future

Over the last year, financial hardships inflicted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic were felt in every corner of municipal government. Among municipal and state schools—particularly in junior colleges, technical and trade schools—the unexpected upheaval put the brakes on an upward trend in job growth that’s been expanding since the late 1990s. “The pandemic has placed extraordinary burdens on postsecondary education—from finances to […]

Commentary

Jurisdictions must do more to curb rising traffic fatalities

An eerie silence replacing the roar of passing traffic. Vacated streets and empty parking lots. These may be among the lasting impressions of the Coronavirus-related lockdowns. But while Americans traveled 13 percent fewer miles by car in 2020, a recent report by the National Safety Council (NSC) indicates that more than 42,000 people died in […]

Commentary

The growing threat of supply chain attacks

Cyber attacks pose a growing threat to local governments, but one risk that is often overlooked is the supply chain attack. Criminal hackers are increasingly targeting software supply chains because these attacks allow them to compromise hundreds or even tens of thousands of victims through a single breach, while also affording them extensive internal access […]

Commentary

How local governments can prepare for the new federal broadband grants

The recent infrastructure deal in the Senate increases the chances of seeing significant new, federal money being made available to states and cities to address the lack of access to affordable, high-speed broadband. In its current state, $65 billion will be made available for underserved areas in both rural and more densely populated jurisdictions. It […]

Commentary

Bring renewed purpose and civic pride to traditional municipal centers

Vibrant civic centers are a defining characteristic of a great many cities, towns and counties across the United States, and often linked to the historic roots of the community. There’s been a refreshing push in recent years to transform historic and aging buildings into modern facilities that continue to serve as civic gathering spaces rather […]

Commentary

Three post-COVID investments for stronger public sector network security

The $350 billion in aid to state and local governments in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was a desperately needed measure to bolster public finances that had been decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis that followed. Coming on the heels of two previous tranches of multi-billion-dollar federal aid, government agencies are […]

Commentary

Governance matters: Managing environmental and socioeconomic factors to improve health outcomes

A person’s zip code has a far greater impact on their health than their genetic code. Mayors and municipal leaders who take into consideration these local, environmental and community factors, known as the social determinants of health, are uniquely positioned to make lasting health improvements for their communities. My own experience as the mayor of […]

Commentary

Converting commercial real estate into residential units could benefit cities and counties

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic emptied out cities and counties from Maine to California, America’s office environment was being redefined as employers increasingly offered telework opportunities. With the rise of the tech industry, in-person work requirements have become somewhat obsolete (in some sectors). These days, employees can punch into the same digital time clocks from different time zones; meetings can be held via video conferencing platforms; and cross-platform collaboration offers more immediacy than working in adjacent cubicles. It’s a […]

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Commentaries

Commentaries are contributed, non-commercial and educational articles that subject matter experts write for American City & County. If you would like to submit an exclusive commentary, click here to view our guidelines.

Highlights

test

The future of carbon emissions and cities lies in green buildings

With an historic investment in public spaces, Philadelphia’s Rebuild program is committed to equity in the process

Commentary

Improving early intervention: Overcoming the top five challenges

Commentary

Is it finally time to acknowledge broadband as a utility?

Commentary

Employment in the public education sector has rebounded, but educators still face an uncertain future

Commentary

Jurisdictions must do more to curb rising traffic fatalities

Commentary

The growing threat of supply chain attacks

Commentary

How local governments can prepare for the new federal broadband grants

Commentary

Bring renewed purpose and civic pride to traditional municipal centers

Commentary

Three post-COVID investments for stronger public sector network security

Commentary

Governance matters: Managing environmental and socioeconomic factors to improve health outcomes

Commentary

Converting commercial real estate into residential units could benefit cities and counties

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