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Jared Polis, the Democratic governor of Colorado, reacting to President Biden’s Sunday night pardon of his son Hunter. Polis said that he could understand Biden’s desire as a father to protect his son, but argued that this decision could be used as precedent by future presidents and will tarnish Biden’s legacy. (X – Dec. 1, 2024)
Solar farms are being shut off, losing more than twice as much potential power than in 2021. The surplus would be worse if utilities weren’t paying other states to take some of the excess.
After tearing down high-rises and building more townhomes, the city is trying a mixed-used approach that blends towers with other amenities.
Trump will take a largely deregulatory approach to tech, while aiming to aggressively pursue foreign cyber threat actors.
Wildfires will continue to rage out of control unless federal forest managers learn from Western states how to properly steward public lands and contain their fires.
Democrat Andy Kim. The New Jersey congressman won a Senate seat last month. He argues that for his party to regain power, it must convince voters it’s working for their interests. Kim twice carried a district that voted for Donald Trump and was able to present himself as an anti-establishment candidate this year, running for a seat vacated by Democrat Bob Menendez, who was convicted on corruption charges. (Philadelphia Inquirer – Nov. 26, 2024)
Gov. Kim Reynolds praises districts that have already restricted phones but says a statewide ban will be a 2025 priority. Such policies around the country have run into problems with courts.
Big city transit systems receive more than half their operational funds from the state. That’s a far higher percentage than Boston, Chicago or New York.
The approach, mostly adopted in Central Florida municipalities, allows prosecutors to waive court sentences in exchange for homeless people getting treatment, housing and jobs.
Voters in a former Democratic stronghold in Minnesota complain that both the national party and Minnesota Democrats have swung too far to the left on spending and cultural issues.
The Salt Lake City Public Library's in-house social workers and suite of other services help the unhoused find their way.
Ohio would be the fourth state to require proof of citizenship under a legislative proposal. The bill would also require monthly maintenance of voter rolls.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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