Author Archive

Kery Murakami

Senior Reporter

Kery Murakami
Kery Murakami is a senior reporter covering Congress and federal agencies for Route Fifty. A longtime reporter, he has covered state, city and county governments, as well as transportation, at newspapers like the Seattle Times, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Newsday. In Washington, D.C, he has covered federal policy areas including broadband, healthcare and higher education.

Policy
Policy

Cannabis banking bill closer to a vote in the U.S. Senate

The bill would address a problem that has led to half of the nation’s cannabis dispensaries being robbed or burglarized.

  • By Kery Murakami

Policy
Policy

As flood risk changes, many communities brace for insurance rate shock

While the National Flood Insurance Program’s new way of setting flood insurance premiums better reflect a property’s flood risk, lawmakers say the significantly higher rates for some properties could discourage people from buying insurance.

  • By Kery Murakami

Policy
Policy

Sound familiar? A GOP bill in Congress would ban California’s pig measure and others like it

The proposal, which is part of the farm bill, would block states from passing laws that could change how agriculture is practiced in other states. Critics say it could upend hundreds of state and local laws.

  • By Kery Murakami

Policy
Policy

Regulate AI? Here’s what states like Florida need to know

A new report by the National Conference of State Legislatures provides a primer for lawmakers on how they might approach oversight of artificial intelligence.

  • By Kery Murakami

Policy
Policy

Florida to get over $1 billion to boost high-speed internet access

The Biden administration released the funding under the bipartisan infrastructure law to expand 'broadband' access in America’s under- and unserved communities.

  • By Kery Murakami

Policy
Policy

The pros & cons of the debt deal for states and localities

The deal doesn’t claw back billions of dollars promised under the infrastructure and climate laws, but it does keep federal spending flat and adds work requirements for food stamp recipients.

  • By Kery Murakami

Policy
Policy

As more people kick the drinking & smoking habit, 'sin tax' revenue drops

Taxes on marijuana and vaping could replace the shrinking revenue, but analysts caution against setting new taxes without considering how they will impact behavior.

  • By Kery Murakami

Policy
Policy

Getting the lead out: Florida to receive over $250M to help remove toxic pipes

After shortchanging the states with the most lead pipes last year, funding was tweaked to get the money where it was needed most.

  • By Kery Murakami

Policy
Policy

As more Republican states consider expanding Medicaid, the GOP U.S. House proposes gutting it

Republicans in Florida – not wanting to be beholden to federal funds – have rejected Medicaid expansion since 2013.

  • By Kery Murakami

Policy
Policy

U.S. House Republicans want to recover unemployment benefits stolen during pandemic

Here's how: The Ways and Means Committee OK'd a bill that would let states keep 25% of any money they recover that was fraudulently obtained or improperly given out.

  • By Kery Murakami

Policy
Policy

Congress, watchdogs scrutinize COVID aid lost to fraud

State-managed unemployment programs are one area getting heavy attention.

  • By Kery Murakami
MagazineShow All
City & State Florida 02202023

Policy
Policy

A passion for pickleball: Orlando's Buddy Dyer and other mayors cope with sport's craze

Demands for new facilities, along with noise complaints and paddle-toting attendees at city council meetings are just some of what they’re contending with as the sport's popularity skyrockets.

  • By Kery Murakami

Policy
Policy

On migrants, Miami's Francis Suarez, other mayors call on President Biden for help

Democratic and Republican mayors want comprehensive reform: Suarez says the feds need to figure out how to 'reduce immigration pressures to the United States.'

  • By Kery Murakami

Policy

Fears grow over plan to distribute billions in broadband dollars

State and local officials are raising alarm about what they say are major flaws with a federal map that will guide where the infrastructure money is sent.

  • By Kery Murakami

Policy

Court fights start over gun bans in places like public transportation, bars

The legal wrangling comes after the Supreme Court placed new limits earlier this year on the restrictions states and localities can impose on where people can carry firearms. For now, it’s left to lower courts to hash out how that looks in practice.

  • By Kery Murakami