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…
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