The Ferguson Group Blog

Wednesday News Roundup

Every Wednesday, the TFG Blog posts a series of articles published over the previous week that discusses topics of interest to local governments. Learn about emerging trends and keep up on key policy issues by browsing the TFG Wednesday News Roundup!

Senate Approves Tax Extenders Package without Ron Wyden

On Tuesday, the Senate passed a bill that will retroactively extend a package of expired tax breaks for 2014. The package was passed by a respectable 76-16 vote, but not everyone was pleased with the bill, including the Finance Chairman. Read more...

 

Blinded by Light Pollution

Artificial light pollution confuses nocturnal species, disrupts migratory birds and causes sleep disorders in humans, according to research. Studies even suggest that the consequences of excessive exposure to light at night can increase the risk for obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. There is still a lot to learn about light pollution and different ways it can be reduced, but there are already several ways cities are working to lessen the glare.  Read more...

 

White House Launches Open Data Disaster Portal

On Monday, the White House launched a new open data portal targeting the needs of first responders and emergency survivors. More than 100 data sets can be found at www.disasters.data.gov along with tools, contests and resources to help first responders and technologists engage with a larger community. Read more...

 

Will Work for Solutions

There are approximately 610,000 people in the U.S. who could be classified as homeless on any given night, and more than 3.5 million will experience homelessness within a given year, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. But while the problem is clearly visible in cities throughout the nation, solutions are anything but. Read more...

 

Retailers to Try Again for Online Sales

After falling short yet again this year, retail groups pushing online sales tax legislation are going to have to shake up their lobbying approach in the face of a GOP-controlled Congress. Groups supporting the online sales tax bill, the Marketplace Fairness Act, say they’ll take the next couple of weeks to regroup, and to find ways to fine-tune their tactics for the next Congress. Read more...

Wednesday News Roundup

Every Wednesday, the TFG Blog posts a series of articles published over the previous week that discusses topics of interest to local governments. Learn about emerging trends and keep up on key policy issues by browsing the TFG Wednesday News Roundup!

16 U.S. Communities Recognized as Climate Action Communities

 16 U.S. Communities have been recognized by the White House as Climate Action Champions. These communities are being honored for considering their climate vulnerabilities and taking action to cut carbon pollutions and build resilience. Read more...

 

How an Infrastructure Bank Can Storm Proof Your City

New York and New Jersey are two examples of how state infrastructure banks can help prepare cities for extreme weather events and increase long-term resilience and sustainability. Each state has their own specific focus for their infrastructure bank investments based on different risks, deficiencies, and future goals for sustainability and resiliency. Read more...

 

Local Governments More Tech-Forward than Federal Counterparts

A new report released by Acquia, a software service company, found that state and local government leaders felt their agencies were doing better with their digital strategy efforts than their federal counterparts.  Although their performance was satisfactory overall, many state and local leaders still report they faced challenges in executing some kind of digital government strategies. Read more...

 

Obama to Unveil $1 Billion Early Childhood Education Funding

On Wednesday, President Obama unveiled over $1 billion in new federal and private funding for early childhood education as the White House looks to rally legislative support for the President’s universal pre-k initiative. Of the $1 billion, $750 million will come in the form of new grants awarded to states to expand their pre-k programs. Read more...

 

Partnership with Library Bridges Digital Divide of Buffalo Students

Thanks to a new partnership between the Buffalo School District and the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, all students will now be able to gain access to the same online resources they have at school at any county library. In a school district that estimates 25 to 40 percent of students have no home access to the internet; this partnership is a big win for students and teachers. Read more...

Wednesday News Roundup

Every Wednesday, the TFG Blog posts a series of articles published over the previous week that discusses topics of interest to local governments. Learn about emerging trends and keep up on key policy issues by browsing the TFG Wednesday News Roundup!  

Congress to Push Pause on ‘Extenders’ Tax Breaks Fight

Congress will hold off on reshaping dozens of tax extenders this year, opting to renew the 55-item package retroactively through the end of the year. Republicans said the short-term extension will be approved, acting as soon as this week. The move to simply extend the tax breaks sets up another round of debate over the extenders in 2015. Read more…

 

What Can Cities Really Do About Climate Change?

Grand Rapids, MI stands as evidence of what cities can do to reduce human impact on the environment. Their example also underscores the limitations that mayor’s face when trying to influence systems outside their direct control. Read more…

 

Fiber Fight: Broadening Gig City Touted as Model in Broadband Debate

If cable and phone companies don’t provide faster web service, more municipalities say they want to do it themselves as municipal electric utilities have done in Chattanooga and Tullahoma, TN and Dalton, GA. “Broadband service is rapidly becoming a vital asset for a community and, just like turnpikes or airports, it may be that a broadband initiative is the kind of public-private partnership that we may need,” said CIO of Lexington, KY during a visit to the “Gig City,” Chattanooga. Read more…

 

Ex-Cons Help Reduce Crime

The Baltimore Health Department launched the Safe Street Program, which hires ex-convicts in an effort to reduce crime and violence in at-risk neighborhoods. Because the ex-convicts have criminal backgrounds and connections in the area, they are able to find sources of crime and violence faster than police. Read more…

 

Ash Carter’s No Yes-Man for Obama

Despite talk that Obama’s next pick for Secretary of Defense will be less likely to criticize the Administration’s agenda, as it was rumored Chuck Hagel did often, Aston Carter will be “no yes-man,” as Politico reports. The theoretical physicist and nuclear expert hasn’t always been in sync with the White House, and if history proves true, that won’t change if he is Secretary of Defense. Read more…