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In examining six older industrial cities, two urbanists raise a lot of good questions, though they don’t provide any definitive solutions.
An important new book, Apollo’s Arrow, precisely targets what America got right in its COVID-19 response, and where it must do better next time. And there will be a next time.
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The World Economic Forum predicts that by 2022, over half of the workforce will require significant reskilling or upskilling to do their jobs—and this data was published prior to the pandemic.
The pandemic and vaccine rollout remain the top priority for counties. Federal stimulus dollars will help with that, along with other responsibilities, including public safety and schools.
The superintendent of the second-largest school district in Iowa has been on the frontlines, leading 16,000 students and staff through unprecedented times that included a pandemic, a historic storm and a personal health crisis.
Huge gaps exist in scientific knowledge, but California is about to set the world’s first health guidelines for microplastics in drinking water. Yet no one agrees how to test water for the tiny bits of plastic, or how dangerous they are.
Samir Jain, policy director at the Center for Democracy and Technology, commenting on Utah’s attempt to have cellphones and tablets sold and activated in the state automatically block access to pornography. Some believe that it unlawfully imposes the same standards on everyone in Utah. (Associated Press — March 16, 2021)
The number of tickets that were handed out last year in Florida for texting while driving, which was made a primary traffic offense in 2019. However, the low number suggests that the new law is rarely enforced. There are more than 15 million licensed drivers in the state.
California state workers took a two years’ pay cut last year to help lessen the state’s looming budget deficit. The state is set to receive $26B in federal aid, but it may not be enough to return salaries to normal.
Cullman County is expected to receive $21 million over the next two years in federal funds. Officials are already planning to spend some of the money on revenue shortfalls, employee support and other legacy projects.
The online portal would be less prone to crashing and could be repaired without shutting down the entire website. It has received bipartisan legislative support, but many say more improvement is needed.
This week Connecticut’s daily positivity rate was at the highest it’s been since late January, but officials say that shouldn’t impact the vaccine rollout which should outpace the demand by early May.
As expected, the Maryland law that created an online advertising tax is facing legal opposition from lobbying groups backed by Amazon, Google and Facebook. The groups argue the law violates the commerce clause.
It’s an opportunity, particularly for localities, to make long-term investments not only in infrastructure but also in the way they perform their work for the post-pandemic future.
A recall campaign against California's governor will succeed in triggering an election. But the governor enjoys deep Democratic loyalty in a state that's overwhelmingly on the party's side.
Sara Bronin, a law professor at the University of Connecticut and Yale University, on how the state’s zoning laws reinforce racial inequities. (Associated Press — March 16, 2021)
The number of cities across the nation that could lose their status as a metropolitan statistical area if the federal government raises the population criteria for core cities in metro areas to 100,000 residents instead of just 50,000. The change would reclassify one-third of the areas as micropolitan statistical areas, which many fear would impact funding and future development.
Two new measures would change the way that public transportation fares are collected by establishing a $35 administrative citation and hiring safety officials, not police officers, to collect fares, answer questions.
As vaccine rates continue to rise, many officials are establishing guidelines for what people can expect the new normal to be like. Masks, plexiglass barriers and online shopping are likely to stay.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott voiced support for Republican bills that target Harris County’s efforts to expand early voting and mail-in ballot access during the 2020 election, increasing the focus on election security.
New York City’s June mayoral primary will be the largest test for the voting method.
Broadband and vaccine distribution will be the big winners when it comes to new relief spending by cities and counties, according to a survey. PPE purchases and IT infrastructure could see fewer dollars.
Given its location and the tax and deregulatory policies the governor has pursued, Arizona looks well-positioned for the economic recovery. The state still suffers one of the highest coronavirus caseloads, however.
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Part math problem and part unrealized social impact, recycling is at a tipping point. While there are critical system improvements to be made, in the end, success depends on millions of small decisions and actions by people.
Ari Bargil, an attorney with the Institute for Justice, regarding the Pasco County, Fla., Sheriff’s Office’s use of arrest histories and police reports to determine which residents are most likely to break the law and then visiting those individual’s homes repeatedly without a warrant or evidence of a crime. Four residents have sued the sheriff over the predictive program. (Associated Press — March 13, 2021)
The number of prison staff members that have been infected in Michigan, Kansas and Arizona. Nationally, more than 388,000 incarcerated people and 105,000 staff members have had COVID-19 in the past year. However, a high proportion of prison staff have declined getting vaccinated against the virus.
The past year has forced medical professionals to rethink how they provide care to patients. From drive-thru testing and telemedicine, many COVID innovations will have impact beyond the pandemic.
The Oklahoma city believes that surveillance cameras, such as Amazon’s Ring, help make communities safer by deterring crime and helping to identify suspects. The police department has partnered with Ring since May 2019.
With the passage of the American Rescue Plan, the state’s labor department is working to extend unemployment benefits to those who are eligible while verifying documents to prevent further fraud.
Despite statewide efforts to establish better broadband coverage, one in six Maine households still don’t have Internet access. While officials work to expand access, progress is slow.
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