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Philadelphia Works to Digitize Paper-Based Processes

Zack Quaintance

June 19, 2018 |

Government Technology |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Philadelphia, City Hall is aiming to solve problems by making outdated processes more efficient. After digitizing the Request for Proposal process, a pilot program found an 89% decrease in processing time. The City is also working with a local tech start-up to digitize the position requisition process and has introduced DocuSign to make the authorized signer process easier.

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Why Are Millions Paying Online Tax Preparation Fees When They Don't Need To?

Tik Root

June 18, 2018 |

ProPublica |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Thanks to an agreement between the U.S. government and a consortium of companies including Intuit and H&R Block, 70 percent of taxpayers are supposed to have access to free online tax preparation services. But Free File is confusing and poorly publicized. Only about 3 percent of eligible tax returns over the last 16 years used the system.

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What Alabama Can Teach You about Storm Resilience

Emily Nonko

June 18, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Mobile, Alabama

After witnessing the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina, changemakers in Alabama took control of creating a more accountable insurance system that valued weather-resilient home construction.

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To Combat Potholes, Cities Turn to Technology

Jenni Bergal

June 18, 2018 |

Governing |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Watch out, potholes. Local governments are coming for you. New technology makes it easier than ever to report potholes, track repairs, and anticipate road issues before they even happen.

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Growth and taxes: Can Alaska's local option sales tax system prove a model for Montana?

Lewis Kendall

June 17, 2018 |

Bozeman Daily Chronicle |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Juneau, Alaska

In Alaska, there is no statewide sales tax. Instead, individual municipalities vote on and control their own levies. In the capital city of Juneau, sales tax revenue covers about half of the city’s annual budget with more than 17 percent coming from the pockets of tourists. This system could make sense for Montana as well.

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'The Daddy quota': how Quebec got men to take parental leave

Mireille Silcoff

June 15, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Canada, Quebec

Influenced by Scandavian countries, the province of Quebec created its own paid paternity leave program, which offers 70-75% paid leave. The program is aimed at dad’s, who have traditionally faced stigma and judgement for accepting paternity leave. Quebec offers “five weeks of “use-it-or-lose-it” benefits, for fathers and non-biological mothers in lesbian couples.” The program has been an instant hit: “Over 80% of Quebec fathers take their paternity leave.”

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Detroit's demolition program under fire for lack of diversity

Katrease Stafford

June 15, 2018 |

Detroit Free Press |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Detroit had an opportunity to use its huge budget for demolitions to help minority-owned and Detroit-owned businesses, specifically by using Hardest Hit Fund federal dollars. However, the winning contractors largely were not as diverse or as local as many would have liked. Despite public outcry, the city continues to award contracts to large firms, maintaining the status quo stays. Their minimal efforts to change have not gone far enough, and locals are looking to states like Tennessee and South Carolina, hoping its leaders can learn from the success of others and bring more positive change to Detroit.

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How a Low-Tech Solution Helped Anchorage, Alaska's Gardeners

Sara Hudson

June 13, 2018 |

Slate |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Anchorage, Alaska

Starting small has had a big impact in Anchorage, Alaska as the city looks at low-tech composting solutions that could alleviate their growing landfill problem. By revisiting a once-failed attempt to encourage composting, the local government found a way to not only build trust with the community, but also increase sustainability and resiliency efforts city-wide.

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LA Is Doing Water Better Than Your City. Yes, That LA

Matt Simon

June 12, 2018 |

Wired |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

With climate change on the horizon, Los Angeles is rushing to pull water from surprising sources. The goal: aqueous independence.

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ICE Came for a Tennessee Town's Immigrants. The Town Fought Back.

Miriam Jordan

June 11, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Morristown, Tennessee

After a raid in a Tennessee plant resulted in 97 immigrants being detained, and 130 American-born children affected, a town came together to help their immigrant neighbors. A church was converted into a crisis response center, professors organized a speaking event at the college, 1,000 attended a prayer vigil, and 300 marched in a protest downtown. “We love Morristown. We are here to send a message of love and unity.”

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