Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by McKaia Dykema
Supreme Court 2024-25 Term Preview: Important Cases for Local Governments
By: McKaia Dykema Stephanie Martinez-Ruckman The 2024-25 United States Supreme Court Term officially kicked off on Monday, October 7. Several significant cases that could impact local governments and their interests are before the court this term. The National League of Cities (NLC), through partnership with the Local Government Legal Center (LGLC), has joined several amicus briefs supporting and advocating local government positions on key legal issues of relevance.
2023-2024 Supreme Court Term Roundup: Decisions Important to Local Government
In their 2023-2024 term, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued decisions that directly impact local governments on issues including the constitutionality of collecting impact fees, local authority to make regulations on the matter of homelessness, Title VII employment issues and public officials’ usage of social media.
SCOTUS Issues Win for Local Control in Grants Pass v. Johnson
Co-authored by: Amanda Karras, Executive Director/General Counsel, International Municipal Lawyers Association Today, the Supreme Court held in Grants Pass v. Johnson, in favor of preserving local control and upholding local ordinances regulating camping on public property. The Supreme Court held that the Eighth Amendment’s Cruel and Unusual Punishment Clause does not prohibit the enforcement of generally applicable laws regulating camping on public property.
Recent Litigation Activity That Local Governments Should Know About
NLC does not provide nor intend to provide any legal advice to cities, towns and villages. This article and information is meant for educational purposes only. Local leaders should consult with their general counsel when implementing local policies or engaging in litigation. Over the past decade, affirmative litigation by local governments has emerged on various fronts, including climate change and opioids, highlighting profound societal concerns and demanding accountability from larger actors.
Supreme Court Issues Employment Discrimination Opinion with Direct Municipal Implications
Co-authored by: Amanda Karras, Executive Director/General Counsel, International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) Last week, the Supreme Court announced its opinion in the case of Muldrow v. City of St. Louis, a Title VII employment law case. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act is known as the federal employment discrimination law. In their 6-3 decision, the Court created a new standard under Title VII that applies to employee transfers, including local government employees.
Federal Update: Government Shutdown Averted (Again), No FY24 Budget in Sight
This week, local leaders helped persuade Congress to keep the government open with strong bipartisan support for funding the government through the remainder of 2023. On Wednesday, November 15, Congress overcame the latest government shutdown threat by passing a complicated Continuing Resolution that will temporarily keep the government open. This Continuing Resolution is different from past ones in that it separates funding into two buckets. Some departments will be funded through Jan.
All Have a Supreme Court 2023-24 Preview: Cases for Local Governments to Watch
The 2023-24 United States Supreme Court Term officially kicked off on Monday, October 2. During this term, the court will hear several cases that could impact local governments and their operations. The National League of Cities (NLC), through partnership with the Local Government Legal Center (LGLC), has joined a number of amicus briefs supporting and defending local government interests.
Local Governments Celebrate Historic Infrastructure Investment Two-Year Anniversary
This week, the National League of Cities (NLC) celebrated the second anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), officially known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which has stepped up a federal-local partnership on rebuilding America’s infrastructure. The blogs published this week showcased examples of projects that have received BIL funding from across all regions of the nation in over 25 communities.
A Sample of the Return on Investment for Certain Federal Infrastructure Awards
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), officially known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), they are not only focusing on the infrastructure benefits of the project but have also demonstrated how these infrastructure projects will strengthen their local economies. Some of the BIL programs require applicants to submit a benefit-cost analysis (BCA). NLC has collected a handful of these BCAs to demonstrate how direct federal funds can go further in the hands of local recipients.
What a Government Shutdown Would Mean for Local Governments
If Congress does not pass legislation to fund the federal government past midnight on September 30, it will trigger a federal shutdown. At this point, a federal government shutdown appears imminent. A government shutdown would adversely affect many of America’s 19,000 cities, towns and villages. Federal government shutdowns occur when Congress and the Administration do not agree upon budget legislation for the next fiscal year.
Leverage Partnerships for Community Agriculture Programs, Education
Congress continues to work toward the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, the most impactful piece of legislation related to agriculture and food. Local leaders have an opportunity to advocate for the programs they leverage in their communities and consider new ways to partner with community groups to start or expand initiatives that could be supported by Farm Bill programs.
PFAS Action: Latest Updates for Local Leaders
If you look for it, you will find it. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of over 9,000 man-made chemicals that were manufactured and used in a variety of industries around the globe, have made their way into communities around the country. This pollution is particularly common in communities near military installations or industrial sites.
Supreme Court Term Roundup: Decisions Impacting Local Governments
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on several cases impacting local governments during the 2022-2023 term, from federal elections management to a new test for what is considered “waters of the United States.” The National League of Cities, through partnership with the Local Government Legal Center (LGLC), participated in several amicus briefs supporting local government interests throughout the term.
Opioid and Fentanyl Legislation Under Consideration in Congress
The SUPPORT Act, signed into law in 2018, aimed to tackle the opioid crisis by expanding on the previous work done through the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) and the 21st Century Cures Act. Notable components of the SUPPORT Act include public health programs within the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Apply Now for Billions in Transportation Grants
For local leaders looking to increase transportation connectivity between residents and opportunity, look no further than the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). Right now, USDOT is taking applications for the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) combined program with up to $3.16 billion available under the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) and the Neighborhood Access and Equity Grants (NAE).
Rural Development Opportunities and the 2023 Farm Bill
The Farm Bill contains many programs that contribute to the maintenance and modernization of rural infrastructure, mainly in Title VI: Rural Development. This section of the bill covers a wide range of programs, including housing, workforce development, water infrastructure, broadband and telecommunications, business development, energy and utilities. You can see all of the programs here.
Get to Know NEPA and Get Federal Infrastructure Projects Moving
By: Carolyn Berndt McKaia Dykema Kyle Funk Brittney D. Kohler Angelina Panettieri If you are a local government leader who has looked for federal infrastructure funding, you’ve seen the term “NEPA” in the terms and requirements under these programs. This abbreviation refers to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which became law in 1970 and requires federal agencies to assess the potential environmental impacts of a proposed federally funded infrastructure project.
2023 Farm Bill: A Driver for Nutrition and Jobs
By: McKaia Dykema Patrick Hain The Farm Bill is a significant piece of legislation that establishes federal farm, food and rural policy. This legislation has a tremendous impact on both rural and urban communities, farming livelihoods and food economies, which in turn will affect the environment, local and regional economic growth and public health. Congress is now working on the reauthorization of a bipartisan Farm Bill for 2023.
Ways Local Governments Can Make Their Federal Match
Many of the federal grant program opportunities available through the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, involve an eligible entity sharing the costs of the project. These requirements are often referred to as “cost-sharing” or “non-federal match requirements” and mean a portion of the project’s cost is not paid for by federal funds. Most of the cost sharing requirements are provided in the form of a percentage on the funding announcement.
New Federal Funding to Plan High-Speed Internet Projects in Rural Communities
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of $20 million to deliver broadband technical assistance resources for rural communities and support the development and expansion of broadband cooperatives in these communities. This funding opportunity is made available through the new Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) Program and opened for applications on April 19 with a deadline for applications set for June 20, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time Zone.
2023 Farm Bill: A Driver for Conservation
The Farm Bill is up for reauthorization this year as it is set to expire September 30, 2023. In the next few months, lawmakers will be busy drafting legislative language for the 12 Titles of the bill. NLC shared local government priorities for the next version of the bill with members of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees. In the U.S., agriculture contributed 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in 2021.
Federal Funding Opportunities: Justice and Mental Health
As people with mental illnesses continue to encounter the criminal justice system, communities across the United States struggle to develop interventions and support to improve outcomes for these individuals, their service providers and the public. How the criminal justice community engages people with mental illness is a matter of national concern. Untreated mental illness can lead to volatile situations that require law enforcement to intervene.
Significance of the Farm Bill Reauthorization for Every Community
This year, local leaders should keep an eye out for the reauthorization of the most impactful piece of legislation related to agriculture and food, commonly referred to as the Farm Bill. Administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and set to expire at the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2023, this historically bipartisan five-year authorization bill establishes federal farm, food and rural policy.
Congress Gives Cities More Flexibility for Recovery Funds
In the late days of December, Congress passed the final budget package for 2023, setting funding levels for every federal agency and grant program for the year and averting a government shutdown. The package also included a significant provision the National League of Cities actively supported to make each city’s current funding from the American Rescue Plan’s State and Local Fiscal Relief Funds (SLFRF) more flexible, known as ARPA Flex. What does ARPA Flex do?
FCC National Broadband Map: Challenge Process for Local Governments
On November 18, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the first iteration of the National Broadband Map, a web-based interactive map aimed to reflect broadband availability for all broadband serviceable locations across the nation. This map is an important tool that will impact targeted funding and other efforts to bring broadband to unserved and underserved communities.
How Cities Will ‘Buy America’ with Federal Dollars
You may have heard the term “Buy America” used regarding federal infrastructure programs and be wondering what this means for your city, town or village’s infrastructure project plans. While further guidance is forthcoming from individual federal agencies, initial information is now available as a starting point for local governments to begin considering the impacts of this requirement on future infrastructure projects.
Federal Rail Crossing Grants Moving Across America
Most American cities have active and historic rail train tracks in their backyards. Far before most highways, America’s railroads crisscrossed our country, arriving in small and large cities alike, shaping our travel patterns and land development. However, as America has grown, how many people live near and cross those tracks daily has changed along with how long and often trains are zipping by these communities.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with McKaia
Contact McKaia, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack