Sustainable Communities

• Will the Marketplace Fairness Act Succeed in 2013?
• BY: Ryan Holeywell   |   March 20, 2013
• The legislation fizzled last year as Congress became mired in the fiscal cliff debate. But advocates are hopeful for a different result this time.
• 24 Comments

• Muni Bonds' Tax Exemption Likely to Stay
• BY: Liz Farmer   |   Nation   |   March 20, 2013
• Congressional lawmakers are skeptical of some specialty tax-free bonds but largely spoke in support of maintaining the tax-exempt status of the municipal bonds localities and states issue to fund infrastructure projects.

• Gov. Snyder's Policies Are "Largest Tax Increase in Michigan History"
• Source: Detroit News   |   Michigan   |   March 20, 2013
• Senate Democrats said that 51 percent of Michigan's residents are being hit with tax increases for the first time this tax season as a result of policy changes made by Gov. Rick Snyder and the Republican legislative majority during the past two years.

• New York Strikes Deal to Raise Minimum Wage to $9
• Source: Bloomberg   |   New York   |   March 19, 2013
• The increase from $7.25 would be phased in over three years. At least 10 states are considering raising their minimum wages.

• New Falcons Stadium Clears Atlanta Council
• Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution   |   Atlanta   |   March 19, 2013
• The Atlanta City Council voted to approve a funding plan for a new downtown Atlanta Falcons stadium, pushing the project over its biggest political hurdle.

• Financing the Olympics: Are U.S. Cities Up for the Challenge?
• BY: Liz Farmer   |   March 19, 2013
• In the wake of the recession -- and after witnessing London’s $14 billion price tag -- few cities are jumping at the chance to host the 2024 Olympic Games.

• House Committee to Take up Municipal Bonds
• BY: Liz Farmer   |   Nation   |   March 18, 2013
• Lawmakers on Capitol Hill this week will look at the impact of tax exemptions and deductions on states and localities.

• Facing a Psychiatrist Shortage, Iowa Considers Tax Breaks
• Source: AP/Des Moines Register   |   Iowa   |   March 18, 2013
• With Iowa facing a psychiatrist shortage in the middle of sweeping changes to the county-based mental health system, one lawmaker thinks giving income tax breaks to psychiatry students will be enough to encourage them to practice in the state.
• 1 Comments

• Chicago's Credit Rating Downgraded Because of Illinois' Financial Problems
• BY: McClatchy News   |   Chicago   |   March 15, 2013
• Illinois has the worst credit rating of any state in the nation.

• S&P: Christie's Budget for New Jersey Relies on Uncertain Revenues
• BY: Liz Farmer   |   New Jersey   |   March 15, 2013
• A major ratings agency cast doubt over New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed 2014 budget this week, saying that the Republican’s forecasts were too ambitious and relied on “new and untested revenues” to balance the ledger.

• Bobby Jindal's Tax Plan for Louisiana Unveiled
• Source: New Orleans Times Picayune   |   Louisiana   |   March 15, 2013
• His long-anticipated tax plan would do away with the state's income and corporate taxes in favor of a higher, broader sales tax.
• 1 Comments

• New Wisconsin Law Strips Secretary of State of Some Powers
• BY: McClatchy News   |   Wisconsin   |   March 14, 2013
• Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill to strip the secretary of state of his power to briefly delay legislation from taking effect. The proposal renewed in part the 2011 fight over Walker's labor legislation, in which the secretary of state had a significant role in a court fight over the law.

• New Jersey Appeals Sports Betting Decision
• Source: Newark Star-Ledger   |   New Jersey   |   March 14, 2013
• New Jersey officials appealed a federal judge’s decision to block legal sports betting in the state, a move that was expected in a high-stakes case that could end up before the nation’s highest court.

• Report: High-Skill Worker Funds Target Wrong Parts of Country
• BY: J.B. Wogan   |   March 14, 2013
• Money raised through visa applications to pay for high-skill worker training doesn't actually match geographic demand, according to a new report.
• 4 Comments

• Suburban Blight & the Affordable Housing Conundrum
• BY: Liz Farmer   |   March 13, 2013
• As urban revival pushes more lower-income earners to the suburbs, many are struggling to provide services and redefine their identity.
• 1 Comments