AltWeeklies Wire
Running the Numbers on D.C.'s Controversial Lottery Contractnew
The last time that Robert B. Washington Jr. got himself involved in a D.C. lottery procurement, it was 1983. Twenty-six years later, the young upstart is now the entrenched political insider. And Bob Washington has gotten another chance at the lottery contract.
Washington City Paper |
Mike DeBonis |
05-21-2009 |
Policy Issues
Chicago May Have Leased out Its Parking Meters for a Fraction of Their Worthnew
The Daley administration hid its process for privatizing Chicago's parking meters from the public and the City Council. Now, three months into the deal, new evidence suggests the taxpayers were hosed out of billions of dollars.
Chicago Reader |
Ben Joravsky and Mick Dumke |
05-18-2009 |
Policy Issues
Will a Food-Stamp Program Overhaul Bring a Change In Attitudes?new
Some worry that inadequate staffing, combined with a fixation on fraud and a fundamental misunderstanding of clients' needs, will continue to undermine how the federally funded program is run locally.
San Diego CityBeat |
Kelly Davis |
04-29-2009 |
Policy Issues
Nightlife and Street Parties in San Francisco Face Official Crackdowns -- Againnew
As San Francisco's party season gets underway — a time when just about every weekend includes street fairs and festivals — police and other party-poopers keep finding new ways to crack down on the fun.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Steven T. Jones and Marke B. |
04-22-2009 |
Policy Issues
What the Fight Over Larry Mazzola Says About the Progressive and Labor Movements and Their Uneasy Relationshipnew
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors' vote to reject Larry Mazzola Jr. for a fairly obscure district board says more about San Francisco's political dynamics, the state of the American labor movement, and the possibilities and pitfalls facing the board's new progressive majority than any in recent memory.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Steven T. Jones |
04-22-2009 |
Policy Issues
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
With a Poker Player in the White House, Washington's Strict Online Gambling Law Could Changenew
Washington is one of a handful of states that expressly prohibits online gambling--and the only one that goes so far as to make it a felony. But Barney Frank may introduce a bill this month to repeal a law that prohibits Internet companies from accepting bank payments for gambling.
Seattle Weekly |
Damon Agnos |
04-06-2009 |
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
Stop Sign Law Goes Back for Amendmentsnew
Oregon's proposed Idaho Stop Sign Law got its first hearing before the House Transportation Committee in Salem last week, and appears to be becoming a political lightning rod for tension between bicyclists and car drivers.
The Portland Mercury |
Matt Davis |
03-26-2009 |
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
