AltWeeklies Wire
Despite a Spate of Murders, the Tennessee Legislature Rushes to Liberalize Gun Lawsnew
Less than 24 hours after an Alabama killing spree, Tennessee's House Judiciary Committee passed a bill allowing handgun permit holders to ride around with loaded rifles and shotguns in their vehicles.
Nashville Scene |
Jeff Woods |
03-20-2009 |
Policy Issues
Tags: gun control, Tennessee
FairPoint's Finances Are Failing Fastnew
Two major safety valves in the financial house of cards that is New England's largest landline telecommunications service provider blew last week, leaving FairPoint Communications in a position of significant weakness, even as the company admits that its financial picture will worsen in the short term.
Portland Phoenix |
Jeff Inglis |
03-12-2009 |
Policy Issues
Seattle Mayor Wants $400K for a Better Way to Write You Upnew
Among the projects Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has sought to fund with federal stimulus money is the purchase of $412,540 worth of new devices to issue parking tickets.
Seattle Weekly |
Rick Anderson |
03-09-2009 |
Policy Issues
Miami Wants the State to Help with its Growing Sex Offender Colonynew
To sum up the good-intentioned, if somewhat toothless, resolution passed by the city: Miami will ask the state to form a task force to study and solve the public-safety-meets-human-rights nightmare.
Miami New Times |
Natalie O'Neill |
02-23-2009 |
Policy Issues
Is Poker Illegal in Pennsylvania? It Dependsnew
According to a couple of recent court rulings, it may depend on where you play and what the appellate court eventually decides.
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Charlie Deitch |
02-20-2009 |
Policy Issues
Tags: Pennsylvania, politics, gambling, poker, government, Act 71, legality, poker players alliance, PPA, precedence
When Lawmakers Tackle Webcams, It's Time to Watch Out!new
There is little question that New Mexico Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones has sparked one of the most robust debates of the current legislative cycle regarding the interstices of open government, emergent technology and the rules of decorum.
Santa Fe Reporter |
Dave Maass |
02-12-2009 |
Policy Issues
A Domestic Violence Refuge in Philadelphia Suffers a Big Hitnew
Last November, $296,268 reserved for Philadelphia's domestic violence shelter - 15 percent of its operating costs — was quietly carved out of the city budget, a cut that went mostly unnoticed in the midst of public outcry over libraries closing and a shortened Mummer’s parade.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tara Murtha |
02-09-2009 |
Policy Issues
A Little-Known Website Is the Future of Transparency in American Governmentnew
While USAspending.gov brings transparency to government spending, government contractors seem to be in the dark that their information is available to anyone with a computer.
The Inlander |
Nicholas Deshais |
02-05-2009 |
Policy Issues
As a California Town Becomes More Affordable, Community Work Flourishesnew
Compared to its neighbors, Seaside, California isn't known for lefty politics, tree-hugging or indie art. But Seaside has seen a resurgence of grassroots community building -- a sort of Renaissance for a city that has struggled to define itself.
Monterey County Weekly |
Kera Abraham |
02-05-2009 |
Policy Issues
N.C. Lawmakers Debate Using Industry-Backed Info on Broadband Accessnew
The people who live in rural Halifax and Nash counties northeast of Raleigh are among the poorest in the state. State Rep. Angela Bryant says that, with all the challenges her constituents face, among their top concerns is a lack of affordable access to the internet.
INDY Week |
Fiona Morgan |
02-05-2009 |
Policy Issues
Congress's War on Toysnew
A new US law threatens to handcuff local indie artisans -- and could render certain kids' products contraband.
Boston Phoenix |
Lissa Harris |
02-05-2009 |
Policy Issues
San Francisco's Flawed System for Counting the Homelessnew
San Francisco's biennial homeless count has long been used as an indicator of how well the city is dealing with homelessness, which would all be fine and good, if it weren't for one small and inconvenient fact for everyone involved: It is a meaningless charade.
SF Weekly |
Ashley Harrell |
02-04-2009 |
Policy Issues
If Not for a Special Election, English Only Would Have Prevailed in Nashvillenew
It's heartening that the Nashville's progressives seem able to stop daydreaming about love and harmony long enough to run an effective campaign. But not by any stretch is this the dawning of a new day or a crippling blow to intolerance in our city.
Nashville Scene |
Jeff Woods |
01-30-2009 |
Policy Issues
Revolutionary to Rat: The Uneasy Journey of Brandon Darbynew
At first glance, Brandon Darby seems a typical Austin lefty activist. But ask around Austin activist circles, and a more contradictory portrait emerges.
Austin Chronicle |
Diana Welch |
01-26-2009 |
Policy Issues
British Columbia Municipal Cops Call for Federal Police Accountabilitynew
Municipal police officers in British Columbia want Royal Canadian Mounted Police forces doing contract police work in the province to be accountable to the same civilian-oversight process for public complaints as the municipal police are.
The Georgia Straight |
Carlito Pablo |
01-26-2009 |
Policy Issues
