AltWeeklies Wire
Thinking and Acting Smartly Everywhere but the Rust Beltnew
At a Brookings Institution forum last week, policy wonks and local government officials from places like Sacramento and Salt Lake City discussed how they used regional planning to cope with rapid growth. What can shrinking Rust Belt cities learn from the places that are stealing their populations?
Artvoice |
Bruce Fisher |
10-23-2009 |
Policy Issues
Follow the Bouncing Lotto Ball in Arkansasnew
In all the haste, headlines and hubbub about what has become the biggest political story of the year, something sometimes gets overlooked. What will the lottery really mean for Arkansas' citizens and higher education system? Here, even big backers hedge their bets.
Arkansas Times |
Gerard Matthews |
07-23-2009 |
Policy Issues
Huffing and Puffing, and the New Justicenew
Thirty-seven states have outlawed smoking in bars and restaurants. Some have done so in all public places. Sadly, Michigan lags behind, even though polls show the vast majority of us want a smoking ban.
Metro Times |
Jack Lessenberry |
06-09-2009 |
Policy Issues
Toronto City Hall's Seven-Hour Showdown on the Future of the Citynew
The 'yes' vote for a new bike lane on Toronto's Jarvis Street foreshadows a city finally daring to pedal into the future.
NOW Magazine |
Mike Smith |
05-29-2009 |
Policy Issues
Weight a Minute: Are Heavy Trucks Getting Fair Treatment in Vermont?new
Heavy fines slapped on truckers for violating town-road weight limits often amount to revenue-raising scams on the part of local officials, charges the owner of two Northeast Kingdom logging companies.
Seven Days |
Kevin J. Kelley |
01-23-2009 |
Policy Issues
Horse Race: Portland City Bureaus Jockey for Money Amid a Grim Budget Forecastnew
City agencies in Portland must make even deeper cuts than expected, city commissioners say. In some cases, that means bureaus will be slashing more than 5 percent from their budgets for the next fiscal year.
Willamette Week |
Beth Slovic |
01-21-2009 |
Policy Issues
When Chicago's Slush Fund Dries Upnew
The TIF kitty is still growing, per the county clerk's annual report -- but it may not be growing fast enough to cover the bets Chicago has made against it.
Chicago Reader |
Ben Joravsky |
11-10-2008 |
Policy Issues
How Paid Sick Days Could Save Milwaukee Moneynew
According to a study conducted by the nonpartisan Washington, D.C.-based Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), there are very real economic benefits for both employers and employees that would result if the proposed Milwaukee Paid Sick Days referendum is approved by city voters on Nov. 4.
Shepherd Express |
Lisa Kaiser |
09-19-2008 |
Policy Issues
Arts Axed: Canada Hacks into Arts Funding
With $45 million to be removed from the Canadian government's arts funding, where does this leave various arts organizations?
Monday Magazine |
Amanda Farrell |
09-03-2008 |
Policy Issues
The Photoshop™ Copnew
Ken Kokotek mocked his superiors on the Internet. Now he's paying for it.
Creative Loafing (Tampa) |
Alex Pickett |
08-27-2008 |
Policy Issues
Gun-Toting in Georgia: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Carrying My Gunnew
Although I had a permit, I was less than thrilled that the Georgia General Assembly passed H.B. 89 in April. The new law would give licensed firearms permit holders the right to legally carry guns into places that used to be off-limits: city and state parks, public transportation, and restaurants that serve alcohol.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Andisheh Nouraee |
07-31-2008 |
Policy Issues
New Rule May Allow Loaded Guns into National Parksnew
The NRA's motive for pushing the law is two-fold: consistency with state laws and giving gun owners the ability to protect themselves and their family. But guns in national parks don't seem necessary to most park advocates.
Tucson Weekly |
Brian Park |
06-19-2008 |
Policy Issues
Mental Health Services Threatened in Portland Areanew
Mental health provider Cascadia is in deep financial trouble, and patients could end up paying the price.
The Portland Mercury |
Matt Davis |
06-05-2008 |
Policy Issues
Court Says the U.S. Treasury Discriminates Against the Blindnew
A federal appeals court upheld a 2006 decision that the U.S. Department of the Treasury discriminates against the blind because paper money is not distinguishable by touch. The decision could mean a big change for blind citizens like Stephanie Jones and for America's paper currency.
The Memphis Flyer |
Shara Clark |
05-30-2008 |
Policy Issues
New Haven's City Budget Relies on an Unreliable Source of Incomenew
By statute, Connecticut is supposed to fund PILOT -- which compensates cities for tax-exempt property like hospitals, universities and schools -- at 77 percent of the real estate's full value. In New Haven, that adds up to big bucks. But PILOT's only been fully funded twice in the last decade.
New Haven Advocate |
Betsy Yagla |
05-20-2008 |
Policy Issues
