Alan Greenblatt

Recent Articles

• Conservatives Question the War on Drugs
• Jan 31, 2012
• Some surprising political figures like New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have started questioning how effective U.S. drug policy is.
• 2 Comments

• TED Prize Winner: City 2.0
• Jan 31, 2012
• For the first time, the TED Prize (which includes a cash prize) is being awarded to an idea, not a person. But cities will benefit.

• Elected as a Democrat, Now Governing the City Like a Republican
• Jan 31, 2012
• Some liberal leaders are pursuing a conservative economic agenda.

• Downtown Revitalization During a Recovery: Great Idea or Huge Mistake?
• Jan 31, 2012
• Only time will tell if Kansas City’s unusual and possibly risky move will pay off.

• More State Workers Face Personnel Cuts
• Jan 1, 2012
• With the ballooning cost of benefits, a poor job market and more lean-government advocates in power, states are cutting personnel more than they have in the past.
• 2 Comments

• In Kansas, It’s Conservative GOP vs. Moderate GOP
• Jan 1, 2012
• For years, there have been two kinds of Republicans in the Kansas statehouse: conservatives and moderates. This year, the conservatives want total control.
• 2 Comments

• States Legislate in Response to News Headlines
• Jan 1, 2012
• In the current 24/7 news cycle, scandals often lead to bills in several statehouses.

• ALEC Enjoys A New Wave of Influence and Criticism
• Nov 30, 2011
• The American Legislative Exchange Council’s conservative ideas are resonating in practically every area of state government. And its opponents aren’t happy about it.
• 1 Comments

• Taxing the Rich Isn’t Always a Moneymaker
• Nov 30, 2011
• Several states increased taxes on the wealthy in recent years. The move brought in extra revenue but didn’t solve all of states’ budget problems.
• 2 Comments

• St. Louis Wants to Control Its Own Police Force Again
• Nov 30, 2011
• In the nineteenth century, some states took control of local police forces. Today, St. Louis is the last big city whose force is still under state control.

• America’s Least Active City Sits Down to Celebrate
• Nov 30, 2011
• After Lexington, Ky., earned the award for least active city, residents and the mayor took to the streets to boast their win in a Sedentary Parade.
• 1 Comments

• California’s Money-Saving MVP
• Nov 30, 2011
• If finding ways to save money for a cash-starved state wasn’t enough, California’s Auditor Elaine Howle is adding the task of setting up a new redistricting commission to her to-do list.

• Governments Abandon Fingerprinting for Food Stamps
• Nov 30, 2011
• Most states and cities stopped requiring that recipients be fingerprinted because it was costly and slowed the application process. New York City and Arizona are the last jurisdictions that still do it.

• New Headaches for ‘No Child Left Behind’
• Oct 31, 2011
• New NCLB waivers may impact the classroom more than the old law they’re trying to escape did.

• What Can Cities Learn from Wasps?
• Oct 31, 2011
• An evolutionary biologist adapts his theories to help local officials plan parks and improve schools.