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Sen. Maria Cantwell speaking during the introduction of an online privacy bill on Tuesday. The Consumer Online Privacy Rights Act “would enshrine online users’ right to privacy and bar companies from obfuscating what they are doing with users’ personal information.” This comprehensive privacy bill would be a first for the nation. (The Hill — November 26, 2019)
The number of on-street parking spaces in New York City, almost one for every three people, of which 95 percent are free. A transportation panel in Manhattan has floated the idea of eliminating free street parking entirely.
PG&E is under severe criticism about its power outages and wildfire-sparking equipment. The utility is now testing a proactive technology that would “identify potential equipment failures” and avoid starting fires.
Legislation legalizing scooters in the state is simply waiting for a signature from Gov. Cuomo, who is hesitating as the small vehicles have raised concerns with sidewalk and road safety across the country.
Just after an election cycle, the Indiana city suddenly requests $37.8 million from the Capital Improvement Board. But which is a more important use of taxpayer dollars: downtown projects or the electricity utility?
Ford, Volkswagen, Honda and BMW all decided to follow California’s strict emission regulations, despite Trump’s proposed cutbacks. It's hard to match products to regulations that depend “on who’s in power.”
University of Michigan faculty are pushing back with concerns about the center’s funding, location and the “conflicts created by capitalism’s dependency on racial and economic oppression and inequity.”
Mayor Eric Garcetti has abandoned his long-stated goal of getting the city's public employee unions to pay a portion of their healthcare costs. The policy reversal could cost the city and taxpayers millions of dollars.
New budget documents showed the state faces its worst fiscal problems since the recession, with projected budget deficits between $6 billion and $8 billion over the next three years amid ballooning costs for Medicaid.
Estimates indicate that Maine will take in $75 million more than anticipated for the two-year state budget that ends in June 2021. Sales and use taxes are likely to exceed budgeted amounts by $40 million.
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As more governments recognize the power of cloud-based software to drive efficiency and streamline workflows, citizens are also seeing the positive effects of modern technology used in the public sector.
Tweet from T-Mobile CEO John Legere when he was notified that the Texas Attorney General dropped his opposition to the $2.65 billion merger of the No. 3 and No. 4 wireless carriers, T-Mobile and Sprint. However, even without Texas’ opposition, the deal still has 14 states and the District of Columbia arguing that the merger will increase prices for customers. (Reuters — November 25, 2019)
The amount of U.S. adults who believe “it is not possible to go through daily life without companies collecting data about them.” The Pew Research Center, which conducted the study, also reported that 63 percent of the same surveyed group believe it is not possible to go through daily life without the government collecting data about them, revealing a large feeling of privacy mistrust.
Police are using DNA genealogical databases to find and arrest suspects without getting approval from the customers. There is little to no regulation of police usage of DNA websites, but customers’ privacy is at risk.
Cities are beginning to worry that a susceptibility to climate change could reduce the chance that partners will invest in them. No financial support means no funds for the infrastructure to protect against the climate.
The first autonomous freight vehicle will drive alone but guided by a behind-the-wheel driver, just in case. The self-driving semi could revolutionize trucking, alleviating the deficit of drivers.
North Carolina officials are hoping that Pokket will help prisoners set up appointments, download documents and communicate clearly with probation officers. There’s one problem: Prisoners must have a phone or tablet before and after release.
The police believe that ShotSpotter could decrease response time and “bring a sense of calm,” but Mayor Carter doesn’t think the system works to reduce crime saying, “The available data is inconclusive at best.”
As an increasing number of cities nationwide work to foster equitable outcomes for residents, Albuquerque has created a new case study for how data can be used in various ways to lift populations up.
Former President Barack Obama speaking about how technology has shifted societal focus onto status, allowing for a rise in inequality, which has risen partly due to the confusion about what is credible and what is not. (Fortune — November 21, 2019)
The percentage of Oracle board and leadership members who are African American or Asian American. A group of House Democrats sent a letter on Friday to Oracle CEO Larry Ellison reprimanding the company’s lack of diversity on their board. The six members requested a response from the computer technology company in the form of an executive-level briefing.
Constructing buildings out of wood is the latest in San Francisco’s aim to be eco-friendly, fire-resistant and aesthetically pleasing. The 60-foot-high building is projected to open in 2022.
Virgin Hyperloop, the Los-Angeles-based company, is looking for new locations to establish testing centers. West Virginia hopes to eventually be part of the high-speed travel technology phenomenon.
The state’s gas tax is becoming obsolete as more drivers are opting for electric vehicles, which don’t require gas. Oregon now is mixing incentives and higher registration fees to try to make up the money.
The state Legislature rejected AEP Ohio’s plan to have solar-power projects in southwest Ohio funded by customer dollars. The utility now must look to other funding sources for the 300-megawatt and 100-megawatt plans.
At an Arizona symposium earlier this month, stakeholders discussed what an autonomous vehicle future will look like. A big concern was liability, but others feared that regulations will limit the field’s innovation.
Why are some lawmakers calling each other ‘bastards’ and ‘bat shit crazy’? Because governors in a dozen states now face legislatures controlled by the other party. While some can reach compromises, policy fights and angry words are common.
Elon Musk, Tesla CEO, tweeted in July 2012 an idea for a supertruck that, at the time, was just an idea. Last night, seven years after his initial ideas of a Tesla Truck graced Twitter, Tesla debuted the Cybertruck at a Los Angeles Tesla Event. (Twitter — July 31, 2012/ November 21, 2019)
The number of workers that will be laid off by the shared workspaces company, WeWork. The company released a statement on Thursday explaining that the layoffs, which will release nearly 20 percent of the company’s staff, are “to create a more efficient organization.” WeWork has been struggling to keep afloat as it has undergone several large losses in the previous months.
Launching in D.C., the “Helmet Selfie” initiative will encourage riders to wear helmets in exchange for credits towards their next ride, which will, hopefully, prevent injuries. Austin wants to join in on the campaign.
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