#commonwealth-inaction

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Environment
fromNature
10 hours ago

'Yes, we can': a blueprint for a clean economy and healthy society

A new 'clean' economy focused on sustainability can lead to a more efficient and prosperous society.
#california
fromLos Angeles Times
1 day ago
Media industry

Commentary: For more than 30 years - day in, day out - he's chronicled California. One paragraph at a time

fromHigh Country News
5 days ago
Environment

The government-funded coverup under our noses - High Country News

The Bureau of Land Management plans extensive drilling in central California, threatening ecosystems and public health in areas like the Irish Hills.
fromLos Angeles Times
4 days ago
US Elections

Californians say democracy is in peril, state should enact voting rights protections, poll shows

Two-thirds of California voters believe democracy is under attack, with strong support for a state Voting Rights Act following recent Supreme Court decisions.
Media industry
fromLos Angeles Times
1 day ago

Commentary: For more than 30 years - day in, day out - he's chronicled California. One paragraph at a time

Rough & Tumble, founded by Jack Kavanagh, is California's longest-running unbiased news aggregator, focusing on trust and simplicity.
US Elections
fromLos Angeles Times
2 days ago

California election experts sound alarm as rejected ballots quadruple

California's mail-in ballots faced significant delays, with late arrivals increasing fourfold compared to the previous election, impacting vote counting.
Environment
fromHigh Country News
5 days ago

The government-funded coverup under our noses - High Country News

The Bureau of Land Management plans extensive drilling in central California, threatening ecosystems and public health in areas like the Irish Hills.
US Elections
fromLos Angeles Times
4 days ago

Californians say democracy is in peril, state should enact voting rights protections, poll shows

Two-thirds of California voters believe democracy is under attack, with strong support for a state Voting Rights Act following recent Supreme Court decisions.
Left-wing politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
23 hours ago

Here are three ways we can turn anti-Trump solidarity into political power | Robert Reich

Solidarity against Trump's policies can be transformed into political power through targeted activism and voter mobilization.
London politics
fromwww.bbc.com
1 day ago

Local elections profile: Croydon

Croydon is a diverse, populous borough in London known for its high-rise living, commercial hub, and rich history dating back to before the Norman Conquest.
fromInvestigative Post
2 days ago

Investigative Post event on reforming Buffalo and NY government.

John Kaehny has written and successfully lobbied for the passage of state and New York City laws related to government transparency and accountability, including the first open data law in the world in 2012.
NYC politics
US Elections
fromLos Angeles Times
2 days ago

House Democrats to hold California 'shadow hearings' on midterm election security

California Democrats are holding hearings to defend state election systems against Trump's fraud allegations and threats of intervention.
fromBoston.com
2 days ago

BU rally pushes back on Pride flag removals, calls for policy change

The rally, held at 1 Silber Way, was organized by Terrier Courage, a group that has collected more than 2,000 signatures on a petition urging the university to reconsider its rules on displays on public-facing windows and walls.
Boston
#higher-education
#reform-uk
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 days ago

Drip feed of Reform UK controversies puts party's policy drive in shade

Reform UK faces significant internal issues, including high attrition rates and controversial statements from candidates.
Fundraising
fromFast Company
2 days ago

How giving starts progress and leadership scales it

Volatility and accountability are transforming philanthropy, requiring leadership to drive impactful change.
US politics
fromwww.npr.org
3 days ago

As DOJ prepares to share state voter data with DHS, a key privacy officer resigns

The DOJ is acquiring sensitive voter registration data, raising privacy concerns, as a key privacy officer resigns amid ongoing legal challenges.
New York City
fromThe New Yorker
3 days ago

Zohran Mamdani's Pick to Help "Fundamentally Change" the Way New Yorkers Relate to City Government

Tascha Van Auken aims to transform New Yorkers' relationship with city government through the Mayor's Office of Mass Engagement.
SF politics
fromPadailypost
3 days ago

Opinion: A DA shouldn't be using his office this way

Allegations against DA Jeff Rosen suggest unethical fundraising linked to prosecution of pro-Gaza protesters, raising concerns about political neutrality in law enforcement.
Education
fromKqed
3 days ago

Beloved San Jose Charter School Faces Potential Closure | KQED

There is a national shortage of credentialed teachers affecting compliance in schools, including East Side Unified School District.
fromPhilosophynow
5 days ago
Philosophy

The Collective City

Islamic philosophy invites plurality and coexistence, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and the acceptance of error in understanding.
Law
fromPoynter
4 days ago

Like journalists, prosecutors shaped a distorted view of crime. They can help fix it, too. - Poynter

Prosecutors and journalists both contribute to misleading public perceptions of crime, but prosecutors possess crucial data to tell a more accurate story.
fromElectronic Frontier Foundation
1 week ago

Digital Hopes, Real Power: From Revolution to Regulation

66% of internet users live where political or social sites are blocked, and 78% are in countries where people have been arrested for online posts. New social media regulations have emerged in dozens of countries in the past year alone.
World politics
fromAllthingssmitty
1 week ago

You probably don't need to lift state - Matt Smith

Keep state as close as possible to where it's actually used. Lift it when multiple components need it or you need to coordinate behavior between components.
React
fromCalifornia Post
5 days ago

Lefty SF Supervisor had been absent for several weeks before her leave of absence was made public

"She wants to regain stable health so she can thoughtfully and responsibly consider her options," her office told ABC7 Eyewitness News in a statement announcing her leave of absence and addressing the condition of her mental health.
Mission District
Toronto startup
fromFast Company
5 days ago

Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey is putting AV firms on blast for using human staffers

Human operators are essential for self-driving cars, raising concerns about safety, communication, and industry standards.
#no-kings
California
fromStreetsblog
6 days ago

No Kings Rallies Throughout California - Streetsblog California

Record attendance of 8 million at No Kings rallies across the U.S., with significant participation in California's major cities.
Boston
fromBoston.com
6 days ago

After 'No Kings' rally, local organizers are looking to sustain momentum. What's next?

The 'No Kings' coalition in Boston emphasizes ongoing engagement and plans for May Day mobilization with weekly actions and community involvement.
California
fromStreetsblog
6 days ago

No Kings Rallies Throughout California - Streetsblog California

Record attendance of 8 million at No Kings rallies across the U.S., with significant participation in California's major cities.
Boston
fromBoston.com
6 days ago

After 'No Kings' rally, local organizers are looking to sustain momentum. What's next?

The 'No Kings' coalition in Boston emphasizes ongoing engagement and plans for May Day mobilization with weekly actions and community involvement.
Healthcare
fromwww.amny.com
5 days ago

Scaling Success: The Medicaid Model New York Can't Afford to Ignore | amNewYork

The American healthcare system prioritizes volume over quality, leading to rising costs and poor outcomes.
Canada news
fromThe Walrus
5 days ago

Why Does Ottawa Keep Funding Fake Canadian Companies? | The Walrus

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency fines stores for misleadingly labeling imported products as 'Canadian' to protect consumer trust.
#birthright-citizenship
Public health
fromwww.npr.org
6 days ago

Babies are an afterthought in the birthright citizenship case, advocates say

Birthright citizenship impacts every baby born in America, providing them with immediate access to essential support and services.
SF parents
fromSan Jose Spotlight
6 days ago

East San Jose school district audit investigation passes review - San Jose Spotlight

The audit found no evidence of fraud or misuse of funds in the Alum Rock Union School District.
SF real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
6 days ago

How the ROAD to Housing Act could improve home affordability

COVID-19 and Federal Reserve actions led to a housing market frenzy, but rising mortgage rates and inflation have since decimated affordability.
World news
fromThe Nation
6 days ago

What Are Your Obligations When Your Country Is the Villain?

The U.S. executed a devastating missile strike on a school in Iran, killing many children and raising moral questions about its actions.
Right-wing politics
fromTruthout
2 days ago

No Kings Must Mean No War: Foreign Policy Is Least Democratic Space in Politics

The majority of Iranian Americans oppose the war on Iran, despite media portrayal of pro-monarchy sentiments.
#democracy
US politics
fromSlate Magazine
1 week ago

This Democracy Expert is Warning that ICE at the Airports is Absolutely a Dry Run for the Midterms

The United States is experiencing a rapid decline in democratic norms and institutions, with significant threats to upcoming elections.
US politics
fromSlate Magazine
1 week ago

This Democracy Expert is Warning that ICE at the Airports is Absolutely a Dry Run for the Midterms

The United States is experiencing a rapid decline in democratic norms and institutions, with significant threats to upcoming elections.
EU data protection
fromBusiness Matters
1 week ago

How to Find Affordable Election Services for Unions

Union elections require careful selection of service providers to ensure reliability, security, and member participation while managing budgets and compliance.
#nyc-community-boards
NYC politics
fromwww.amny.com
3 days ago

NYC Council members would have more control in establishing community boards, per new bill

A new bill proposes that NYC Council members appoint half of community board members to enhance local representation.
New York City
fromwww.amny.com
4 days ago

NYC community boards: What to know about these civic groups, how they operate and why there's a reform push

NYC Community Boards are essential for civic engagement, allowing residents to voice opinions and influence local governance.
NYC politics
fromwww.amny.com
3 days ago

NYC Council members would have more control in establishing community boards, per new bill

A new bill proposes that NYC Council members appoint half of community board members to enhance local representation.
New York City
fromwww.amny.com
4 days ago

NYC community boards: What to know about these civic groups, how they operate and why there's a reform push

NYC Community Boards are essential for civic engagement, allowing residents to voice opinions and influence local governance.
SF politics
from48 hills
4 days ago

SF budget picture improves as mayor tries to cut the tax that is part of the recovery - 48 hills

San Francisco's financial outlook is improving, driven by increased tax revenues, particularly from high-end real estate transactions.
#new-york-city
fromwww.amny.com
3 days ago
New York City

Op-ed | A responsible path forward for New York City's budget | amNewYork

New York City's budget process is a complex negotiation that impacts community investment and addresses fiscal challenges.
NYC politics
fromwww.amny.com
1 week ago

Op-Ed | Revenue from Albany a common sense solution for working New Yorkers | amNewYork

New York City faces a $5.4 billion budget gap due to underbudgeting and state revenue raids.
New York City
fromwww.amny.com
3 days ago

Op-ed | A responsible path forward for New York City's budget | amNewYork

New York City's budget process is a complex negotiation that impacts community investment and addresses fiscal challenges.
NYC politics
fromwww.amny.com
1 week ago

Op-Ed | Revenue from Albany a common sense solution for working New Yorkers | amNewYork

New York City faces a $5.4 billion budget gap due to underbudgeting and state revenue raids.
Boston
fromBoston.com
4 days ago

Boston faces budget deficit of nearly $50 million

Boston faces a $48.4 million budget deficit due to external cost pressures, prompting spending freezes and hiring delays.
fromLos Angeles Times
3 days ago

Equity advocate turned defendant: Former head of S.F. human rights commission accused of corruption

Sheryl Davis is accused of steering millions of dollars to Collective Impact, a San Francisco-based nonprofit she previously ran as executive director, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday by the San Francisco District Attorney's Office.
Non-profit organizations
fromwww.amny.com
4 days ago

Mamdani fires back at Menin over City Council's budget response, charges it ignores bigger financial problems | amNewYork

Mamdani stated that the City Council's budget strategy effectively ensures this structural deficit will continue indefinitely, impacting vital city services and failing to solve deep financial problems.
New York City
#elections
SF politics
fromPadailypost
5 days ago

Candidate defends party registration

Jim Irizarry claims he mistakenly registered with a far-right party, while opponent David Canepa argues it was intentional and questions Irizarry's qualifications.
SF politics
fromPadailypost
5 days ago

Candidate defends party registration

Jim Irizarry claims he mistakenly registered with a far-right party, while opponent David Canepa argues it was intentional and questions Irizarry's qualifications.
Boston
fromBoston.com
5 days ago

'BPS transportation is failing us': School bus delays have Boston parents calling for change

Thousands of students face delays in school transportation despite claims of improved on-time performance by Boston Public Schools.
NYC politics
fromNew York City, NY Patch
6 days ago

Your Vote Decides Which New York Neighborhood Fix Mamdani Will Tackle Next

Over 11,600 New Yorkers participated in the Mayor's Municipal Madness to select city projects for repair by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
#local-elections
London politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 days ago

Your Party to focus local election efforts on backing independent candidates

Your Party is targeting urban areas with large Muslim populations to support independent candidates and community groups against Labour.
London politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 days ago

Your Party to focus local election efforts on backing independent candidates

Your Party is targeting urban areas with large Muslim populations to support independent candidates and community groups against Labour.
SF politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
5 days ago

Washington state's historic' millionaire tax takes aim at super-rich will it succeed?

Noel Frame has faced significant challenges in raising taxes on the ultra-wealthy in Washington despite the state's need for increased revenue.
US Elections
fromFortune
6 days ago

Wealth taxes on billionaires and $30 minimum wages are part of the same plan, advocate says. 'They should pay their fair share' | Fortune

Most voters support a billionaire tax, with 52% of California voters favoring a one-time 5% tax on the state's billionaires.
Philosophy
fromThe Nation
2 weeks ago

In Defense of Being Performative

Democracy requires citizens to actively perform civic engagement; dismissing performative politics misunderstands that democratic participation is inherently performative and essential for democratic survival.
London politics
fromwww.bbc.com
6 days ago

New bin rules begin in England but not all councils are ready

New rules mandate weekly food waste collections in England, but many councils are unprepared to meet the deadline.
fromwww.bbc.com
1 week ago

Government backs five-council plan for Essex

The five unitary model creates sensible geographies that will empower each new council to deliver new housing in line with local needs.
UK politics
fromBoston.com
1 week ago

Tens of thousands rally at Boston Common for third 'No Kings' protest

"We are building the movement. We are pulling more people in, and we're keeping them engaged and activated."
Boston
SF politics
fromPadailypost
1 week ago

Opinion: School board member secretly investigated by district employees and district's lawyers

The Palo Alto school district conducted a secret investigation on board member Rowena Chiu, which raised concerns about governance and accountability.
Philosophy
fromApaonline
3 weeks ago

Why We Need a Formal, Mandatory, and Remunerated "Citizen Lobby"

Post-Cold War optimism about democracy and internet freedom has been undermined by geopolitical tensions, neoliberalism, nationalism, and corporate influence that concentrate power among the already wealthy.
#voting-rights
Boston
fromBoston.com
2 weeks ago

Boston City Council to weigh non-citizen voting

Boston City Council members introduced a home-rule petition to allow non-citizens with legal status to vote in municipal elections, citing their significant tax contributions and community investment.
Boston
fromBoston.com
2 weeks ago

Boston City Council to weigh non-citizen voting

Boston City Council members introduced a home-rule petition to allow non-citizens with legal status to vote in municipal elections, citing their significant tax contributions and community investment.
fromwww.bbc.com
1 week ago

Campaigners celebrate after new town plans dropped

Campaigner Aysha Hawcutt stated that residents were 'not anti-homes', but believed the Adlington plan was 'the wrong proposal in the wrong place'. She expressed pride in the community's resilience against the development threats.
London politics
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
2 weeks ago

Reform council leader survives no confidence vote

Reform UK council leader George Finch survived a no-confidence vote by one vote at Warwickshire County Council, with 27 voting against removal and 26 voting for it.
SF politics
fromThe Nation
2 weeks ago

Bridging the Red-Blue Divide, One Concrete Deed at a Time

Community Works builds trust across partisan divides by organizing nonpolitical community service activities that unite neighbors regardless of political affiliation.
Boston
fromBoston.com
2 weeks ago

City Council calls for more transparency from Wu over transportation projects

Mayor Wu's requirement for personal approval of transit and road safety projects has caused significant delays, prompting even her allies on the City Council to demand increased transparency and accountability.
Philosophy
fromApaonline
3 weeks ago

Secrecy, Democracy, Necessity

Executive officials justify secrecy through claims of protecting decision-making integrity and national security, but such necessity arguments alone cannot legitimize secret governance in democracies.
fromBoston.com
2 weeks ago

Poll: Mass. Legislature underwater in court of public opinion

Massachusetts is known for being one of the least transparent states in the country when it comes to the accessibility of public records. The governor, judiciary, and state lawmakers enjoy broad exemptions for compliance with public records requests. There are no independent statewide audits of compliance with public records law.
Boston
fromThe Atlantic
1 month ago

How America Chose Not to Hold the Powerful to Account

Since Richard Nixon was forced to resign, powerful people in both political parties have worked assiduously to ensure that their leaders would escape the consequences of their actions. Trump has evaded punishment for crimes both low (campaign-finance violations, for which he was convicted, though he will serve no time thanks to his 2024 victory) and high (his attempted overthrow of the federal government in the aftermath of his 2020 election loss, for which he was spared by the Supreme Court's decision to grant him a kingly immunity).
US politics
History
fromThe Atlantic
1 month ago

The Commons: The Unfinished Revolution

The American Revolution reshaped political power but preserved many social hierarchies, and inclusive historical portrayals recognize marginalized contributors.
fromFast Company
2 months ago

Our embrace of individuals over institutions isn't serving us well

In the early 20th century, sociologist Max Weber noted that sweeping industrialization would transform how societies worked. As small, informal operations gave way to large, complex organizations with clearly defined roles and responsibilities, leaders would need to rely less on tradition and charisma, and more on organization and rationality. He also foresaw that jobs would need to be broken down into specialized tasks and governed by a system of hierarchy,
History
Law
fromAbove the Law
1 month ago

Accountability In An Age Of Unaccountability - Above the Law

Legal system turmoil: arrests, Epstein file fallout, judicial misconduct, and mounting ethical breaches requiring disbarment of dishonest administration lawyers.
fromThe New Yorker
1 month ago

Democracy Dies in Broad Daylight

Last week- after the Wall Street Journal broke more news about the Trump family's dodgy crypto-business dealings and before the President shared a racist video of the Obamas depicted as dancing apes-the Amazon entrepreneur Jeff Bezos decided that one of his smaller properties, the Washington Post, has proved such a drag on his two-hundred-and-thirty-billion-dollar fortune that prudence required that he obliterate much of its newsroom.
Media industry
Philosophy
fromApaonline
2 months ago

Economic Democracy as the Redemption of Political Democracy

Economic democracy should be reframed as intrinsically linked to political democracy, reintegrating economic and political spheres rather than merely extending political democracy into firms.
US politics
fromThe Atlantic
2 months ago

Put Humans in Charge Again

Strong executive authority and flexible decision-making enable rapid, large-scale public works, mass hiring, and fast crisis responses when bureaucratic processes are bypassed.
Philosophy
fromApaonline
1 month ago

What Accountability-Seeking Protest Can Tell Us About Democracy

Different kinds of political protest pursue distinct aims; accountability-seeking protest aims to hold actors responsible and can reinforce democratic community bonds.
US politics
fromThe Atlantic
2 months ago

I Tried to Be the Government. It Did Not Go Well.

Government staffing cuts and institutional disruptions have weakened regulatory oversight, prompting individuals to perform personal safety checks such as buying Geiger counters.
fromThe Atlantic
2 months ago

Purge the Public Servants

In this new season, I'm asking how the Trump White House is rewriting the rules of U.S. politics, and talking to Americans whose lives have been changed as a result. Today's episode examines the destruction of the civil service: the removal of professionals, and their replacement with loyalists. I've seen this kind of transformation before, in other failing democracies. Everyone suffers from the degradation of public services.
US politics
fromLGBTQ Nation
1 month ago

Political pragmatism is not a moral failing. It may be the only thing that can save us. - LGBTQ Nation

He is not worthy of the presidency. He takes bribes blatantly. And now he's being a racist, blatantly. They were supposed to deport the dangerous criminals. They were not supposed to go after small children, storm schools, bring terror upon, you know, the little kids and the women and children, not just the immigrants in the school. All the children are scared.
US politics
fromThe Walrus
1 month ago

Politics Has Grown Too Big for Politicians Alone | The Walrus

O n January 6, 2021, the day of the Capitol insurrection, many people were transfixed by what they saw in Washington. It was only a heroic effort by the police that kept the insurrectionists out of the House of Representatives, where elected members and staff took refuge behind chairs and under desks. In one sense, the riot, with its outlandish characters wearing costumes and face paint, felt like an absurd exclamation mark that punctuated the end of an erratic presidency.
US politics
US politics
fromLos Angeles Times
2 months ago

Charter Reform Commission, L.A. City Council look to impose transparency rules

Los Angeles City Council passed an ordinance requiring Charter Reform Commission members to disclose private communications with elected officials and staff to boost transparency.
US politics
fromBoston.com
1 month ago

State auditor sues Beacon Hill to force compliance with audit

State Auditor Diana DiZoglio sued to enforce voter-approved authority to audit the Massachusetts Legislature after legislative refusal and without Attorney General support.
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