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Officials across the state voiced concerns about proposed legislation that would hold the gubernatorial recall election as early as Aug. 24 and would push costs beyond the projected $215 million price tag.
With one of the region’s largest cryptocurrency mining facilities, a Bitcoin ATM operator and a bill that would allow special trusts to hold digital assets, the state could be a center of the growing fintech industry.
After a year of system glitches and jobless claim fraud, the state claims it has improved its system and is ready to verify eligibility again. So far, ESD has sent verification notices to approximately 105,000 claimants.
Rep. Tom Emmer, chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, regarding the group’s announcement that it will begin accepting cryptocurrency donations. (The Hill — June 17, 2021)
The proportion of Americans who are “highly concerned” that ending COVID-19 restrictions will result in an increase in virus infections in their community; 34 percent think that the restrictions were lifted too quickly.
The primary to succeed Bill de Blasio will be held on Tuesday. No one from the huge field has emerged as a clear favorite, with Andrew Yang fading fast.
Dissatisfied voters targeted election administrators in 2020. Accustomed to working behind the scenes, many were cast as villains and now fear for their personal and professional safety.
Congress and state legislatures dealt with dozens of bills on voter identification and other legislative measures aimed at more full election integrity — but there is no agreement on what a more perfect voting process would look like.
The City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to regulate the police department’s use of “militarized” gear, and the department will be required to submit reports of equipment use and purchases.
Gov. Greg Abbott discussed his plans to spend at least $250 million to continue the construction of a Texas-Mexico border wall. The governor has already started accepting donations for the project.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, regarding the impacts of the 50-year-long War on Drugs. Federal spending on drugs and interdiction this year is expected to be $37 billion. (NPR — June 17, 2021)
The number of municipal broadband providers in Ohio that would be prohibited from providing service as long as there was a private-sector company operating in the area under a proposed amendment to a budget bill. The legislation would allow municipalities to provide broadband to only unserved areas, those without access to download speeds of at least 10 mbps, which classifies over 98 percent of the state ineligible. Cleveland has said they would challenge the legislation if enacted.
Texas and 19 other states had challenged the Affordable Care Act. For the third time, the nation's highest court upheld it.
Any community’s civic culture has deep and stubborn roots in local history. But with the right sort of leader, new and innovative attitudes and practices can emerge.
Public officials need the private sector to step up and use its moral and financial clout to counter the right-wing extremists who are bent on ending the American republic.
America’s largest city has a transit system under stress, and an ongoing battle between cars, bikes and pedestrians for control of the streets. Yet mayoral candidates are saying little about the transportation problems.
Mobile, Ala., Mayor Sandy Stimpson has proposed that the city copy Birmingham’s plan to give its full-time and part-time city employees a $5,000 and $2,500 bonus, respectively, for working during the coronavirus pandemic.
The state is scheduled to eliminate the sale of all new gas-powered vehicles by 2035, but many residents are hesitant to switch to an electric vehicle due to range anxiety. Installing new chargers will help.
Six city-owned properties will be considered for affordable housing developments by the city council in an attempt to combat rising land costs. Half of the proposed sites are in wealthier parts of the city.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, regarding the unanimous approval by the Senate to make Juneteenth, the date commemorating the end of chattel slavery in the U.S., a public holiday. (NPR — June 15, 2021)
The proportion of election officials across the nation who feel unsafe on the job, while one in six election workers reported being threatened because of their work.
Stockton emerged from bankruptcy years ago, but a culture of caution lingered that wasn’t conducive to growth. Harry Black, its new city manager, aims to speed resurgence and innovation through data-based plans and programs.
“No industry should feel entitled to use up a human body.”
After several high-profile cyber attacks, fed security officials hope to increase cybersecurity protocols to prevent further attacks. But establishing regulations that are effective and timely isn’t easy.
State lawmakers have proposed a 13-bill bipartisan reform package to better address police accountability and improve training, but it's unclear if there will be a vote on the package before the end of session.
Five years after winning the Smart City competition, Columbus, Ohio, now believes it is better equipped than other cities to address EV implementation, climate change and the digital divide.
Lawmakers are studying whether they can spend part of the $2 billion the state received from the American Rescue Plan Act on prison construction. The state will have until the end of 2024 to use the funds.
The estimated cost of the 2020 Census, which is far below the previously estimated $15.6 billion price tag, partly due to technology upgrades which allowed many households to respond to the Census online.
Attorney General Merrick Garland, regarding the Biden administration’s plans to increase security analysis of domestic terrorists while also protecting individual’s First Amendment rights. (Associated Press — June 15, 2021)
Housing and crime round out top urban concerns and mayors are scrambling to use much-needed federal funding as austerity issues recede, according to the latest State of the Cities report from the National League of Cities.
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