News
Generally not that much when it comes to the economy or utility bills or how bureaucracy functions. But there are some important things they can influence.
The Florida Department of Health issued a letter to local TV stations last week, demanding that they remove ads supporting the state’s abortion amendment within 24 hours or the department would seek criminal charges.
State geologist Mark Myers hopes that hydrogen deposits in Alaska’s metamorphic rock could be enough to fuel the state’s energy industry. The idea comes from a well in Mali that has fueled one village since 2012.
Minnesota state Sen. Justin Eichorn of Grand Rapids lamenting new state gun policies and referring to the new electric Zamboni the Minnesota Wild will use to clear its ice rink during the NHL season. While the Wild’s two electric Zambonis are new, the use of electric ice cleaners is not; not only is electricity cheaper than propane but it absolves ice arena operators from having to add pricey ventilation systems for air quality checks in the closed rinks. (The Minnesota Star Tribune — Oct. 9, 2024)
In a new book, an architect and zoning scholar shows how zoning can create vibrant economies and "delightful experiences" for urban dwellers.
Future in Context
From revitalizing the economy to confronting his city’s racial past, Tulsa, Okla., Mayor G.T. Bynum leaves office having created a focus on unity and progress. He is the fourth member of his family to serve as mayor.
People spend years waiting for federal housing vouchers. That’s because of policy choices made decades ago.
Brandon Johnson had promised to veto the ordinance that would continue the gunshot detection system but failed to make the move before the deadline. Political battles over the technology are ongoing.
The San Joaquin Valley, Calif., school district plans to buy about 20 Flex Farms, a self-contained system that circulates nutrient-rich water to as many as 288 plants, so that students can learn a new way to grow food.
Louisiana’s criminal justice system now treats all 17-year-olds as adults. Lawmakers lowered the age from 18 to curb teen violence, but nearly 70 percent of the 17-year-olds arrested in the state’s three largest parishes aren’t accused of violent crimes.
Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President Daniel Fanning, regarding a new Minnesota state law that provides job protections and partial wage replacement to qualifying workers at any size business who may need to take up to 12 weeks of leave to care for themselves or a family member. Small businesses are primarily concerned about how paying for the program may impact their bottom lines in today’s economy. Minnesota will become the 13th state to implement a statewide paid family and medical leave program when the law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. (Duluth News Tribune — Oct. 8, 2024)
Wayne County, Mich., nearly filed for bankruptcy in 2014. It just posted its tenth budget surplus in a row.
Proposition 33 would allow cities to limit rent increases. Some economists doubt that’s a good idea.
Dallas’ data analytics operation works hard to partner with agencies across city government, cultivating relationships and breaking down barriers. It’s a path other cities should follow.
Decades ago, enterprising newcomers had the run of legislative chambers. Control of campaign funds has changed that dynamic.
Elevating buildings to avoid storm surges and flooding can increase the chance of survival for people and homes along the coast. But as hurricanes like Helene, and possibly Milton, continue to break records, building higher may not be enough.
Micah Kubic, of the ACLU of Kansas, regarding pushback from Wyandotte County Election Commissioner Michael Abbott against providing Spanish-language election materials for fear of potential litigation. About 29 percent of Wyandotte County residents speak a language other than English in the household and Hispanic or Latino residents account for approximately 34 percent of the county’s population. (The Kansas City Star — Oct. 8, 2024)
As cities step up their enforcement efforts in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling, they should consider both the financial costs and the public safety ramifications of treating homelessness as a crime.
Cook County, Ill., has launched an innovative dashboard mapping certain deaths by cause — gun violence, opioids and extreme weather — to reveal hidden patterns and direct resources where they're most needed.
Voting reform advocates say ranked-choice voting will give voters more voice in their elections. But clerks of small counties worry that any advantages will be undermined by more cost and confusion.
Many insurance companies in metro Atlanta are denying essential coverage to businesses in “high crime” areas, which are also predominantly areas of low-income residents of color.
Geoff Schumacher, historian and vice president of exhibits and programs at the Mob Museum in Las Vegas, regarding the elaborate implosion of the Tropicana hotel and casino to make space for the $1.5 billion baseball stadium for the relocating Oakland Athletics. The towers of the buildings are expected to crumble in just 22 seconds, but the event will include a fireworks display and a drone show. The city hasn’t blown up a Strip casino since 2016. (Associated Press — Oct. 8, 2024)
Voters in eight states will decide whether to bar municipalities from allowing noncitizens to vote. Few noncitizens cast illegal votes, leading critics to claim the issue is being hyped for political reasons.
They’ve mostly benefited real-estate developers. Here’s how to redeploy these tax incentives to grow new businesses and boost employment while leveraging state and local expertise and attracting a broader investor base.
Too many jobs that have nothing to do with driving require it. It’s an unnecessary employment barrier, and other states should follow the lead of two that have moved to prohibit it.
This fall, residents will vote on two major criminal justice ballot measures, one of which would increase the time some criminals serve in prison and the other would create a $350 million fund for police agencies.
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