🤔 Has your state regularly spent more than it's brought in? And how does it compare to other states? Right this way for a deficit deep-dive ➡️ pew.org/3ycJwOK

3 common zoning restrictions that contribute to growing housing costs and homelessness across states: 🚗 Parking mandates 🏙️ Apartment bans 🏡 Lot size minimums Reforms made by Houston and several other cities show a better way forward. pew.org/4c0ItA6

As the U.S. moves past its brief but extraordinary period of widespread surpluses and historic revenue growth, states will likely have less new money to cover: ✂️ Tax cuts 💸 Increased public services 📉 Recession prep pew.org/3UJTTRH

What do these 4 states have in common? 🏜️ Arizona ⛰️ California 🦀 Maryland ⛵ Massachusetts They're all making workforce cuts to close budget shortfalls —but will this strategy work as well as it has in the past? pew.org/3ynI2BQ

U.S. streams, rivers, and wetlands: ✅Bolster climate resilience ✅Provide fish and wildlife habitat ✅Support local businesses President Biden has challenged states, Tribes, local communities, and others to reconnect, restore, and protect these ecosystems. pew.org/3RvZv1t

Progress: An updated management plan for a 250,000-acre estuary reserve could help protect Florida’s long-beleaguered Apalachicola Bay and its oysters. The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve can help us conserve and study this ecosystem. pew.org/3B3180Q

Communities with strict zoning rules—such as excessive parking requirements—tend to have higher: • Housing costs • Rent growth • Homelessness Minneapolis took note and made changes that are paying off. Other governments should follow suit. pew.org/3S9Bttk

Coastal wetlands are key to sequestering carbon and curbing climate change. Understanding how much carbon their wetlands can store helps states develop strategies to keep them healthy. A new SmithsonianEnv effort is helping states get this vital data. pew.org/3WQo5Ma

States with the largest surpluses over 15 years (FY08-22): 1) Alaska: 129.2% of expenses covered by revenue 2) North Dakota: 123.7% 3) Wyoming: 118.8% ... and the smallest: 48) Connecticut: 95.8% 49) Illinois: 95.3% 50) New Jersey: 93.9% pew.org/3ycJwOK

In its first two years, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has helped support millions of Americans facing mental health crises. One way states can ensure this progress continues—and avoid having police as the default response: Get 988 and 911 systems working together. pew.org/3YijmW0

Question: What makes a strong democracy? At Pew, we use facts to build a common language to address our biggest challenges. This #InternationalDayofDemocracy (Sept. 15), let us know what you think: What does a #StrongDemocracy need?

As few as 13% of large government IT projects succeed, but that's not stopping states. Learn about Idaho’s rocky Luma rollout and what it means for future IT projects. Via News from the States buff.ly/3z7qM48

🏎️ A few states are cracking down on ‘license plate flippers’ that help drivers evade the cops, the tickets and the tolls. I've seen these in action. They are wild.⚡️ Learn more from Stateline's Amanda Hernández stateline.org/2024/09/05/lic… via Stateline

States that need to spend the most on clean water over the next 20 years to meet Clean Water Act goals: 1) California 2) New York 3) Florida 4) Virginia 5) Louisiana ... and the least: 46) South Dakota 47) Alaska 48) Wyoming 49) Nevada 50) Montana pew.org/4gaMRj1

⚖️ State and local courts should reflect the diversity of the communities they serve for our legal system to be open, effective, and equitable. All too often, that isn't the case. It's time to turn the tide. pew.org/4ecsQre

States committed to tax relief, pay raises, and other long-term spending during the pandemic-era revenue boom. Now, with tax collections stagnating, it’s an open question whether they can afford these commitments long-term. pew.org/3UJTTRH

A more wildfire-resilient future *is* possible. And states can help make it happen. pew.org/4c3fJHj #EMGtwitter

Across the U.S., thousands of drivers use license plate flippers to evade detection—whether by law enforcement, toll systems or automated speed cameras. Now, states and cities are cracking down on the devices. via Stateline buff.ly/47doAol

States are customizing their #BroadbandAccess programs to meet their communities’ needs. Example: NJ set aside $15 million to provide free WiFi on @NJTransit buses while UT dedicated $19 million to help connect educational institutions. #NJPol #UTpol pew.org/3M4TyVS

The current Senate class is the oldest of any in U.S. history, which means we could see a spike in vacancies outside of regularly scheduled elections. How those seats are filled depends on the state, Pew Research Center notes. pew.org/3TcW5Bm