AltWeeklies Wire
How Arnold Schwarzenegger Is Using the Budget Crisis to Wreck California's Futurenew
Schwarzenegger sees himself as a man with bold, sometimes even liberal ideas who is forced to propose massive budget cuts as a result of a broken government and a deadlocked legislature. The reality the governor is attempting to hide is much different.
Random Lengths News |
Robert Cruickshank |
07-18-2009 |
Commentary
California is in the Worst Mess in its History ... Who Will Save the Golden State?new
California's economy looks like it's driving off a cliff. But we've already crashed over the railing and are now free falling towards certain doom.
Monterey County Weekly |
Jessica Lyons |
07-16-2009 |
Politics
Cash for Clunkers: Buckets of Bolts for the Low, Low Price of $1 Billionnew
Theoretically the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) -- aka "Cash For Clunkers" -- sounds like a swell idea. But it's also pretty pie-in-the-sky. I'm not the first to notice that this bill assumes that there are lots of people driving around a car that is worth less than $4,500 and can actually afford a new car.
Pasadena Weekly |
Jennifer Hadley |
07-13-2009 |
Economy
Louisville's War on Drugs Is a Never-Ending Storynew
With the help of federal dollars, Louisville wages a war on drugs. But is this fight futile?
LEO Weekly |
Jonathan Meador |
07-10-2009 |
Drugs
Can a City Really Tell You When and Where You Can or Can't Play Music?new
As it turns out, a license for busking in Santa Fe costs $35 per calendar year. The license comes with a host of guidelines that include when buskers can play, where they can play and how long they can play there; it also specifies that there can be no amplification. All this raises somewhat existential questions.
Santa Fe Reporter |
Alex De Vore |
07-09-2009 |
Music
A Few Thoughts On Health Carenew
Let's face it. National health care is no more socialist than say your local elementary school is socialist. Or for that matter no more socialist than our streets, highways, bridges, post offices, sewers or hydroelectric damns are socialist.
Random Lengths News |
James Preston Allen |
07-05-2009 |
Commentary
Learning From Denver: More Insights from the Congress for New Urbanismnew
Denver was the host city for CNU 17, and it's a good city to take lessons from. What has Denver gotten right? Adept planning, linked to new code, linked to new transit.
Austin Chronicle |
Katherine Gregor |
07-02-2009 |
Housing & Development
In San Francisco, Parking is Quietly Becoming the Year's Big Issuenew
Through an unusual confluence of policy initiatives that have been moving forward for several years, the city is finally about to have a serious discussion about the automobile and its impacts. And parking policies are being used as the main tool to reduce traffic congestion, better set development impact fees, increase city revenue, and promote alternatives to the automobile.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Steven T. Jones |
07-01-2009 |
Transportation
Not So Cool: Austin Struggles With Climate Protectionnew
The Austin Climate Protection Plan was among the most ambitious in the country when announced in 2007; two years later, making it real remains a challenge.
Austin Chronicle |
Katherine Gregor |
06-21-2009 |
Environment
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
Smoking: Whose Choice Is It?new
Smoking is a well-known health risk. But the state should not be allowed to interfere with our free will, particularly as it pertains to the personal choice to smoke.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Ethan Cabral |
05-26-2009 |
Commentary
Public Utilities for Health Care: A New Model for Reformnew
A Boise State professor has come up with a new model for state-based health care reform: make insurance companies into public utilities, like power and gas. Will anyone listen?
Boise Weekly |
Nathaniel Hoffman |
03-05-2009 |
Science
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
