https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/topics#governingGoverning{9B5D1C8E-EAED-46CD-8D01-CD55909C7B84}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2021/01/27/policymakers-should-leverage-evidence-to-inform-pandemic-driven-budget-cutsAfter difficult months dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, many state policymakers have turned their attention to vaccine distribution and new pandemic-related concerns but are hopeful that an end to the worst may be in sight. State budgets, however, continue to be affected by the economic shockwaves caused by the rapid spread of COVID-19. Still, as state legislators grapple with how best...Wed, 27 Jan 2021 13:55:00 -0500{21CDDBEC-FE7F-4398-893F-5A3EABA30EBB}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2021/01/26/governors-appointees-and-agency-staffers-help-states-boost-evidence-based-policymakingAs governors nationwide manage their responses to the coronavirus pandemic, their appointees and state agency staff can promote the use of data to help guide state policies and implement their visions for a successful recovery. For executive branch leaders facing reduced revenues and increased community needs, using insights gathered from rigorous evaluations to inform budget deliberations can...Tue, 26 Jan 2021 12:39:00 -0500{042B9147-DC3C-442D-91F8-ED869F0E79AE}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2021/01/25/how-to-evaluate-the-litigant-experience-as-courts-turn-to-online-dispute-resolutionState courts are quickly adopting online dispute resolution (ODR) as a platform that can help parties resolve everything from traffic disputes to small claims lawsuits—without ever setting foot in a courtroom.Mon, 25 Jan 2021 09:16:25 -0500{19F01A5D-D14D-4950-AFCB-254A6C0E0211}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2021/01/22/key-lessons-for-policymakers-and-the-public-about-expanding-broadband-accessNationwide, at least 18 million—and perhaps more than 42 million—Americans lack access to broadband internet service, and millions more cannot afford a high-speed connection even if one is available. The significance of this access gap was thrust into the spotlight in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced millions of people to transition to working, learning, and performing other daily...Fri, 22 Jan 2021 13:36:20 -0500{37BACF55-AB66-400A-BEC8-ED64C1E5BD6F}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2021/01/19/how-local-leaders-are-expanding-broadband-accessThe COVID-19 pandemic has increased attention on the crucial role that high-speed internet access plays in American life. In a time of social distancing, people need broadband to work from home, participate in online classrooms, access health care services, apply for public assistance, and perform ordinary household activities such as ordering groceries or prescriptions.Tue, 19 Jan 2021 14:41:29 -0500{85F214EA-E7B5-4696-B4D3-DE5F065A747D}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2021/01/11/new-yorks-criminal-justice-knowledge-bank-builds-evidence-of-public-safety-best-practicesIn 2017, leaders of the police department in Buffalo, New York, wanted a better sense of whether their efforts to reduce gun violence were working, particularly the practice of paying visits to the homes of young people considered at risk for getting into trouble.Mon, 11 Jan 2021 14:25:01 -0500{4578511C-8699-4948-8F8E-D36D19299AD1}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2021/01/11/state-courts-seek-to-address-racial-disparities-in-their-operationsAs the nation confronts issues of racial justice and equitable treatment for all, state court leaders are looking at ways to reduce disparities in their operations—and at how efforts to modernize court procedures can help.Mon, 11 Jan 2021 10:40:25 -0500{12D200DA-A2D2-4717-9ED1-1AFAB9B3B755}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/12/23/states-of-innovation-small-loans-large-costPayday loans can help people facing an unexpected financial crunch—but can also bring unexpected problems.Wed, 23 Dec 2020 13:30:00 -0500{2FA8289D-1F0D-47A2-BFD0-F3600A2C4E62}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/12/18/states-of-innovation-in-depth-with-sue-urahn-pews-president-and-ceoIn the first episode of our season “States of Innovation,” Sue Urahn, Pew’s new president and CEO, discusses the role of state governments as “laboratories of our democracy,” where innovative thinking can be paired with policies informed by data to address long-standing problems.Fri, 18 Dec 2020 07:29:00 -0500{99F33442-ED0F-4916-BACE-021509709BD9}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/12/18/pew-president-and-ceo-sue-urahn-on-how-data-leads-to-good-public-policyIn Pew’s new “After the Fact” podcast season, States of Innovation, we explore innovative ways that states are using data to solve some of today’s biggest challenges. We discuss how government can work more effectively and better serve the public interest in an in-depth conversation with Pew’s new president and CEO, Sue Urahn. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.Fri, 18 Dec 2020 07:28:00 -0500{8AEAF295-89CA-476C-AF4C-A189CEB32885}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/12/18/states-of-innovation-from-after-the-factThe latest season of Pew’s “After the Fact” podcast looks at the innovative solutions some states are developing to meet long-standing problems. From making small loans more affordable for consumers, to improving community flood preparedness, to designing corridors for wildlife to migrate safely across high-traffic roads—protecting animals and drivers—state leaders are working together to tackle...Fri, 18 Dec 2020 07:28:00 -0500{B5B7B0B0-0DB7-4B7C-BC07-CCDEB959D364}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/12/15/supervision-chiefs-see-promising-results-in-pandemic-forced-shift-to-more-virtual-workThe COVID-19 pandemic has placed enormous pressure on the nation’s criminal justice system. Although media attention has focused largely on the challenges inside prisons and jails, community supervision agencies, which oversee millions of Americans on probation and parole, also are wrestling with limited opportunities for people to safely meet face to face.Tue, 15 Dec 2020 09:33:00 -0500{591E3850-AB56-4554-86A7-8DAB52346383}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/12/14/how-budget-stress-tests-help-utah-prepare-for-and-manage-economic-downturnsStates benefit from conducting budget stress tests during a recession, given the competing demands for limited resources facing leaders at times of fiscal distress, according to Utah’s legislative fiscal analyst, Jonathan Ball.Mon, 14 Dec 2020 10:27:00 -0500{6C2B5959-4645-451D-B150-3F5D6330909E}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/12/08/can-revenue-from-legalized-recreational-marijuana-help-states-close-budget-gapsVoters in Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota on Nov. 3 legalized recreational marijuana in their states, joining 11 others that already allow regulated use and sale of the drug.Tue, 08 Dec 2020 16:51:00 -0500{602BD6D2-7332-4F74-99C7-193CEAAC198C}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/12/08/what-covid-19-underscores-about-how-broadband-connectivity-affects-educational-attainmentThe COVID-19 pandemic has increased attention on the crucial role that high-speed internet access plays in American life. In a time of social distancing, people need broadband to work from home, access health care services, apply for public assistance, order groceries or prescriptions—and connect with classrooms.Mon, 07 Dec 2020 14:07:51 -0500{E0A5CA2C-1DD4-4C25-BF63-6023FB1F06AE}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/12/04/state-budget-offices-promote-data-driven-decision-makingAs state governments continue to face reduced revenues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, budget directors and budget office staff need to focus on funding effective programs that meet increasing community needs. Some state budget offices across the country are doing this by using evidence-based policymaking—relying on data gathered from rigorous evaluation—to make spending decisions in these...Fri, 04 Dec 2020 15:11:00 -0500{B318E707-ED6E-47EA-A675-1A2C30A169B3}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/11/30/virginia-system-helps-local-governments-prevent-fiscal-emergenciesIn 2017, Virginia’s independent state auditor designated Bristol—a 17,000-person city in the far southwest corner of the state—as “fiscally distressed,” meaning that its ability to provide basic public services was at risk. In addition to facing cuts to essential services, localities with deep and persistent fiscal problems may require costly state assistance or even long and painful bankruptcy...Mon, 30 Nov 2020 11:31:00 -0500{5517E4A2-7DDB-40A6-9756-0B092B43B410}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/11/30/how-much-broadband-speed-do-americans-needThe COVID-19 pandemic has increased attention on the crucial role that high-speed internet access plays in American life. In a time that demands social distancing, broadband connections allow people to work from home, connect with classrooms, access health care services, apply for public assistance, and perform ordinary household activities such as ordering groceries or prescriptions.Mon, 30 Nov 2020 10:34:00 -0500{D1870EF4-7AD1-4CAC-9032-CB6D9AB02330}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/about/news-room/opinion/2020/11/18/as-disasters-and-coronavirus-combine-to-hit-budgets-policymakers-can-seize-the-momentIn a year in which the COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting public budgets, another important story needs to be told: one about the record-breaking natural disasters that are devastating communities, costing American families and businesses billions of dollars, and adding to the pandemic’s strain on state and local governments.Wed, 18 Nov 2020 10:42:00 -0500{8C518714-81BF-4EFE-BF88-E69D913196DD}https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/trust/archive/fall-2020/return-on-investmentThe Pew Charitable Trusts applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public, and invigorate civic life, as these recent accomplishments illustrate.Mon, 16 Nov 2020 16:00:00 -0500