News | Policy Issues | AAN.org

Will Prison Reform Make Bail Bond Agents Obsolete?new

Vermont's bail bond agents are eager to talk about their trade — and the threats it faces. Their challenges signal major changes brewing in the correctional system.

Seven Days | Alicia Freese | 07-23-2015 | Policy Issues

Oakland Has a Transparency Problemnew

Numerous boards and commissions in Oakland — and elsewhere in the East Bay — routinely violate local and state open meeting laws.

East Bay Express | Darwin BondGraham | 05-06-2015 | Policy Issues

Atlanta Public Schools’ Vacant Buildings Trapped in Timenew

The uncertain future and untapped potential of Atlanta Public Schools’ empty buildings.

Creative Loafing (Atlanta) | Thomas Wheatley and Joeff Davis | 03-06-2015 | Policy Issues

Tags: Adaptive reuse

Is Sacramento’s Costly Water-Meter Install Wasting Millions?new

Sacramento says it's doing what’s necessary to update its water infrastructure. Experts question the reasoning behind the expensive and invasive plan.

Sacramento News & Review | Joe Rubin | 11-14-2014 | Policy Issues

Oakland's Threat to Sex Workersnew

A new eviction policy broadly targets prostitutes, and while the city argues that the law will help fight child trafficking, there's no data or evidence to back those claims.

East Bay Express | Sam Levin | 11-13-2014 | Policy Issues

Some Progress on Indigent Defensenew

New York State has settled a lawsuit that accused it of systematically depriving poor criminal defendants of their right to counsel. And in doing so it has recognized, for the first time, that it is responsible for providing legal representation for those defendants.

City Newspaper | Jeremy Moule | 10-29-2014 | Policy Issues

Drunken Mumbo Jumbonew

Tennessee's liquor laws are weird, confusing, and frustrating. Is it time for a rewrite?

Metro Pulse | Cari Wade Gervin | 09-17-2014 | Policy Issues

Put This in Your Pipe: Democrats Running for Pa. Governor Support Marijuana Reformnew

Over the last six months, all Pennsylvania's Democrats running for governor have come out for at least some form of marijuana reform.

Philadelphia Weekly | Randy LoBasso | 03-26-2014 | Policy Issues

Tags: 2014 elections, marijuana reform pennsylvania

S.C. natural birth centers could face closure by state regulatorsnew

A North Charleston natural birth center and other birth centers around the state have been in danger of closing since September, when the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control began investigating them for compliance with state law. “We’re in limbo right now. I don’t really know what’s going to happen,” says Lesley Rathbun, owner and director of the Charleston Birth Place.

Charleston City Paper | Paul Bowers | 11-22-2013 | Policy Issues

Tags: childbirth, regulation, healthcare

Why is S.C. Supreme Court Not Following Law on Timely Court Decisions?new

According to state law, justices on the S.C. Supreme Court have 60 days to file their decisions from the time a term ends after hearing a case. So why aren't they doing it?

Charleston City Paper | Corey Hutchins | 11-01-2013 | Policy Issues

Incarceration Inc.new

The Arizona Department of Corrections says inmate population is on the rise, so more private prison beds are needed.

Tucson Weekly | Mari Herreras | 10-10-2013 | Policy Issues

Tags: Arizona Prison Population

Greenwashing the War on Drugsnew

Law enforcement is now pointing to the environmental harms caused by illegal pot farms to justify the ongoing Drug War. But it was the Drug War that sent growers into California's forests.

East Bay Express | David Downs | 10-10-2013 | Policy Issues

Tags: Marijuana Growing Bad for Environment, Marijuana Growing in California