AltWeeklies Wire
Despite Tough Times, Energy Conservation Bills Gain Traction in Legislaturenew
"Going green" used to be considered a luxury, especially in a faltering economy. But as the Texas Legislature convened last week amid a budget squeeze, a determined coalition of lawmakers and lobbyists acted on the premise that conserving energy is nothing less than an absolute necessity.
Dallas Observer |
Megan Feldman |
01-26-2009 |
Environment
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
How Slot Machines Are Secretly Designed to Seduce and Destroy Younew
Slots-only gambling parlors located in highly populated areas are precisely the model that Foxwoods and SugarHouse casinos hope to replicate in Philadelphia. Gov. Ed Rendell and others have portrayed slots as a safe medium. The opposite is true.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Isaiah Thompson |
01-13-2009 |
Economy
Connecticut's Millionaires Can Breathe Easynew
Despite a projected $1 billion deficit, Gov. Jodi Rell remains "uncomfortable" with hiking taxes on the very wealthy.
New Haven Advocate |
Andy Bromage |
11-11-2008 |
Economy
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
Thanks a Lot, Milton Friedmannew
The worst thing that can happen to an economist is for the politicians to come over to his side and actually implement his grand idea. This week, the men who did the task for Friedman in the United States, or at least some of them, had to sift through the rubble in a very public and self-conscious way and explain why it all turned out so badly.
Arkansas Times |
Ernest Dumas |
10-03-2008 |
Economy
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
SF's Clean Energy Act Could Mean Lower Carbon Emissions and Lower Electric Billsnew
The Clean Energy Act, which will appear as Proposition H on the November ballot, mandates that the city undertake a study to determine the most cost effective and expeditious way to achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2040.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Amanda Witherell |
09-11-2008 |
Environment
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
One Year After Minneapolis Bridge Collapse, Are Pennsylvania's Bridges Improved?new
One year later, attention has abated, but the problem hasn't. And despite increased investments, significantly more funding will be needed to repair all of the state's insufficient bridges.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Boyce Upholt |
08-05-2008 |
Transportation
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
As We Enter Year 8 of Recession, Will Anyone Act to Prevent a Depression?
Forget the experts. They think telling the grisly truth about the state of the U.S. economy could make things even worse -- and they're probably right. But Americans know the truth.
Dr. Joycelyn Elders: Legalize Medical Marijuananew
Now almost 75, this sharecroppers' daughter from Arkansas continues to lecture across the country on sex education, universal health care and public health approaches to dealing with illegal drugs.
