News
A collaboration between a foundation and private-sector partners to build a successful streetcar system in Detroit demonstrates the potential for community growth and prosperity.
Lauren Book, a former Florida state senator, announcing her intention to run again. Book has served as the Democratic leader in the state Senate but had to leave office a few weeks ago due to term limits. She intends to run either in 2026 or 2028 to represent a neighboring district. (South Florida Sun Sentinel – Nov. 26, 2024)
School districts bear significant financial costs: Security, communications, legal work and heightened staff turnover related to conflict all come with price tags. The money could be better spent elsewhere.
The county has spent billions on homeless programs only to see problems worsen. A proposal from two county supervisors would create a new department to consolidate and oversee services.
Trump and GOP members of Congress are eager to roll back portions of the Obama-era health insurance law. Changes to Medicaid coverage and some patient protections seem likely.
Voters in three states rejected ballot measures promoting school choice. But they didn’t reject the legislators who favor it.
Macon, Ga., Mayor Lester Miller, in reference to the city’s plan to implode a vacant 16-story hotel at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Last year, Macon-Bibb County spent $4.5 million to buy the hotel in a federal bankruptcy proceeding. The city-county has hired a demolition firm to blow up the building for $2.6 million. Miller says the city hasn’t yet decided on how the land will be used. (Associated Press — Nov. 20, 2024)
The power often goes out in Eastport, Maine, due to storms. Now, the small city is developing solar and tidal power to fuel its own microgrid.
Democratic governors are scrambling to mount an effective opposition to the policies of the new administration. They may not be holding a winning hand.
Fitch Ratings issued a report comparing the pension debt in each state to personal income. Connecticut had the highest ratio, at 23 percent, while Tennessee was the best at 1 percent.
Democrat Josh Shapiro is redirecting federal highway funds to Philadelphia’s transit system. Officials with the nation’s sixth-largest system had just approved a 29 percent fare increase.
Florida’s governor applauded FDA approval of the prescription drug import plan at the start of the year, saying it would cut prices. But there’s still no date for his program to begin.
Future in Context
The recent fortunes of local initiatives reveal a shifting landscape in U.S. transportation policy — driven by political, economic and environmental factors. What lies ahead is, as yet, unclear.
Larry Rhoden has been serving as Kristi Noem's lieutenant governor. He'll inherit a tougher budget environment than she had.
Republicans in Congress might force all states to impose such rules. Supporters say they give Medicaid recipients a boost toward self-sufficiency and financial stability. Critics say such rules hurt far more people than they help.
Staten Island, N.Y., Borough President Vito Fossella, calling upon Whoopi Goldberg to apologize to a local bakery for suggesting on air that the business had declined to make her a batch of desserts because of her political beliefs. The 145-year-old bakery said that their decades-old boiler had malfunctioned and had to be replaced, so the establishment could not commit to making a large order. (Associated Press — Nov. 16, 2024)
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the investment and others tied to a clean hydrogen hub project in a news release on Wednesday.
New federal rules require localities to get rid of all their lead water pipes in the next 10 years. Officials say they need help – and money.
Henderson City Manager Richard Derrick has focused on improving city services in Nevada’s second-largest city. Community surveys suggest residents are reaping the benefits.
The view of the federal department as a source of malign leftist influence is backwards. Good ideas are out there, and there needs to be a central authority to disseminate best practices and insist on results.
Mayors and other local leaders have an important role to play in the psychological well-being of their constituents, protecting them from harmful policies and helping them handle new uncertainties.
There are an estimated 1 million people in Louisiana that have the skills and experience to qualify for higher wage jobs, but are being restricted due to not having a college degree. But the state is working to eliminate unnecessary degree requirements.
Only $599 million of the record $1.3 billion homelessness budget last year was actually spent. City Controller Kenneth Mejia blamed “a sluggish, inefficient approach” for the underspending.
A proposed bill claims to provide disaster relief to those suffering the impacts of Hurricane Helene but in actuality focuses on obstructing power from the newly elected Democratic governor, attorney general and state schools superintendent.
Dr. William Morrone, the medical examiner for Bay, Midland, Tuscola, Arenac and Iosco counties in Michigan, regarding the news that at least three deer hunters have died of heart attacks so far during the 16-day season. Morrone said he had never seen three people die in 48 hours from heart attacks while deer hunting before and that hunters should better prepare themselves for the rigors of the outdoors. Two of the men who died were trying to haul away the heavy animals. (Associated Press — Nov. 20, 2024)
Rising minorities in big cities are increasingly concerned about order and security. Political parties need to pay attention.
