Popular Articles

Article Legal Notes by Joaquin Vazquez

Safe Sidewalk Vending Act Curbs Local Regulations: What You Need to Know

This new law affects cities in several significant ways.

Milpitas Initiative Targets Workforce Development

The city helps local manufacturers attract qualified young workers.

Article Features by Karalee Browne

Community Choice Aggregation Drives Economic Development

This option reduces electricity costs, provides cleaner energy options, and offers economic opportunity and increased transparency.

Article Features by Hafsa Kaka

Santa Ana Establishes 200-Bed Interim Homeless Shelter in 28 Days

A public-private partnership and the community mobilized in response to rapidly increasing homelessness.

Article Legal Notes by Christian Marsh

California’s Public Trust Doctrine Draws Attention in the Courts

During the past decade, California has experienced a surge in the volume of public trust cases and recent court decisions.

Patterson’s HOST House Tackles Homelessness

The city financed a transitional residence for its homeless population.

Article Legal Notes Christi Hogin

Sober Living Businesses in Residential Zones

This article presents the current legal constraints and considerations related to local regulation of sober living homes and residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities, which is limited…

Article Executive Director's Message Carolyn Coleman

Finding Solutions to the Affordable Housing Shortage

Significant barriers and disincentives constrain the production of housing. These include local and national economic and job market conditions, challenges for developers and a lack of funding and…

Article Features by Melissa Kuehne

City Use of Social Media: Legal & Other Considerations

Little legal precedent exists related to what cities can and cannot do on social media. However, when making decisions about how to engage on social media, cities should consider a number of legal and practical issues.

Article Features by Michael Coleman and Michael G. Colantuono

Hot Topics in California Municipal Finance

The next recession may be just around the corner, but the state is much better positioned to weather it — and that bodes well for local governments. Hot topics include sales tax and more.

Article Executive Director's Message Carolyn Coleman

Taking Proactive Steps to Avoid Scandal

When making decisions or taking action, the savvy local official embraces the notion that the law creates a floor for ethical behavior — not a ceiling. In other words, just because a particular…

Article Features by Frank Benest

Winning the War for Talent: The Elected Official’s Role

Talent is mobile and in short supply.

Article Features by Steven M. Berliner

Strategies to Manage Increasing Pension Costs

Explore ways to tackle this daunting task.

Article Executive Director's Message Carolyn Coleman

Stopping the Runaway Pension Train

Increasing pension costs could push cities already in financial distress closer to the brink of bankruptcy.

Article News from the Institute for the Local Government Madeline Henry

Engaging Your Community in the Budgeting Process

Public involvement in city budgeting increases financial transparency and promotes greater trust.