Although there is no compromise in sight on an omnibus spending bill, House members left the Capitol for a month-long August break. However, members of the Senate stayed behind and just passed a “minibus” appropriations package. The package includes allocations to several federal agencies, including billions of dollars in funding for the U.S. Department of […]
Last week, President Trump held a National Security Council Meeting to discuss election security. The meeting covered Russian interference and the overall state of the country’s election systems. Just the fact that this meeting was called is evidence of a problem and the realization that elections security vulnerabilities must be addressed. Earlier this year, Congress […]
We may be experiencing a building boom but it is not producing affordable housing …and that’s what municipal leaders desperately need. The lack of affordable housing has become a national problem. The Urban Institute reports that for every 100 low-income American households seeking affordable apartments, fewer than 30 units are available. And the National Apartment […]
Now that the rhetoric and the debate over passage of the federal tax bill have subsided, one component of that legislation is getting lots of attention. That would be “Opportunity Zones.” Last month, the U.S. Department of the Treasury approved the final round selection efforts for designated opportunity zones. This new program allows investors to avoid […]
In its newest 21st Century reorganization effort, the U.S. Army has announced that Austin – known as a hub for innovation, technology, research and academia – has been chosen as its base for the country’s new high-tech, four-star Futures Command. The Futures Command will be responsible for coordinating efforts to modernize the Army, improve future readiness […]
Since the release of President Trump’s infrastructure plan earlier this year, not a lot has happened…at least not much related to funding. And, there are few signs that anything will happen anytime soon. The idea of infusing $200 billion in federal funds to spur trillions in private investment in infrastructure was a hot topic for […]
Returning from a July 4 break, members of Congress found themselves facing a number of high-priority issues with no quick resolutions. With an omnibus funding bill still in limbo, lawmakers are now trying to pass individual funding bills. The consensus in Washington is that when these bills are rolled out, water legislation, Farm Bill funding […]