AltWeeklies Wire
The 'Truth' on Taxes: Does Philadelphia Mayor Have Science on His Side?new
When it comes to taxes, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter is a man of conviction. We might even call him a man of faith, so strong and unwavering is his belief that Philadelphia must not, cannot, shall not raise its wage and business taxes to help plug the great gaping $2 billion hole in Philadelphia's five-year budget.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Isaiah Thompson |
04-21-2009 |
Policy Issues
The Story of Chicago's Parking Meter Lease Dealnew
How Mayor Daley and his crew hid their process from the public, ignored their own rules, railroaded the City Council, and screwed the taxpayers on the parking meter lease deal.
Chicago Reader |
Ben Joravsky and Mick Dumke |
04-10-2009 |
Policy Issues
Free Speech Is Unchained with the 2009 Muzzle Awardsnew
Usually it's a good thing to receive a free t-shirt and get your name in the paper, but not if you're a winner of a Muzzle Award from Charlottesville's Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression.
C-Ville Weekly |
Wistar Watts Murray |
04-08-2009 |
Policy Issues
The Strange and Scary Story of the North Central Texas Fusion Systemnew
Fusion centers arose amid post-9/11 efforts to get local and state law enforcement involved in anti-terrorism. The meteoric rise of this confoundingly complex and patchwork system has scary implications for privacy and civil liberties.
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
04-08-2009 |
Policy Issues
Is Connecticut's Hand-Held Cell Phone Ban Making Roads Safer?new
The state makes virtually no effort to track that information and the evidence it has collected may leave you underwhelmed.
New Haven Advocate |
Andy Bromage |
04-07-2009 |
Policy Issues
Green-Collar Heatnew
Low-income community groups in San Francisco hope to turn Obama's stimulus package into an opportunity to make local government accountable for creating decent green-collar jobs.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Sarah Phelan |
04-01-2009 |
Policy Issues
Can Portland Score a Big-League Soccer Deal?new
Why did Portland Commissioner Randy Leonard fight for a Major League Soccer team? And what are the chances he can close the deal? After all, there’s now a $15 million hole in the package, shaky financial assumptions and a trail of local leaders upset by his brash approach.
Willamette Week |
Beth Slovic |
04-01-2009 |
Policy Issues
Portland's New Accounting System Costs Extra $3 Millionnew
A delay in the implementation of a new payroll system could cost the City of Portland an extra $3 million, in a year when budgets are being slashed across the board and the city is struggling to pay for even basic services.
The Portland Mercury |
Matt Davis |
03-26-2009 |
Policy Issues
FairPoint's Finances Are Failing Fastnew
Two major safety valves in the financial house of cards that is New England's largest landline telecommunications service provider blew last week, leaving FairPoint Communications in a position of significant weakness, even as the company admits that its financial picture will worsen in the short term.
Portland Phoenix |
Jeff Inglis |
03-12-2009 |
Policy Issues
Is Poker Illegal in Pennsylvania? It Dependsnew
According to a couple of recent court rulings, it may depend on where you play and what the appellate court eventually decides.
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Charlie Deitch |
02-20-2009 |
Policy Issues
Tags: Pennsylvania, politics, gambling, poker, government, Act 71, legality, poker players alliance, PPA, precedence
When Lawmakers Tackle Webcams, It's Time to Watch Out!new
There is little question that New Mexico Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones has sparked one of the most robust debates of the current legislative cycle regarding the interstices of open government, emergent technology and the rules of decorum.
Santa Fe Reporter |
Dave Maass |
02-12-2009 |
Policy Issues
A Domestic Violence Refuge in Philadelphia Suffers a Big Hitnew
Last November, $296,268 reserved for Philadelphia's domestic violence shelter - 15 percent of its operating costs — was quietly carved out of the city budget, a cut that went mostly unnoticed in the midst of public outcry over libraries closing and a shortened Mummer’s parade.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tara Murtha |
02-09-2009 |
Policy Issues
A Little-Known Website Is the Future of Transparency in American Governmentnew
While USAspending.gov brings transparency to government spending, government contractors seem to be in the dark that their information is available to anyone with a computer.
The Inlander |
Nicholas Deshais |
02-05-2009 |
Policy Issues
N.C. Lawmakers Debate Using Industry-Backed Info on Broadband Accessnew
The people who live in rural Halifax and Nash counties northeast of Raleigh are among the poorest in the state. State Rep. Angela Bryant says that, with all the challenges her constituents face, among their top concerns is a lack of affordable access to the internet.
INDY Week |
Fiona Morgan |
02-05-2009 |
Policy Issues
Congress's War on Toysnew
A new US law threatens to handcuff local indie artisans -- and could render certain kids' products contraband.
Boston Phoenix |
Lissa Harris |
02-05-2009 |
Policy Issues
