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Her rapist was convicted because of a rape kit. So why are so many kits untested?

Anna Boiko-Weyrauch

August 15, 2018 |

KUOW Radio |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Ohio

Ohio has invested heavily in new technology and processes to improve and streamline the testing of rape kits. As Washington grapples with limited resources and lab inefficiencies, it looks to Ohio as an example of productivity and efficiency. After passing a bill requiring the processing of all rape kits, crime labs in Washington are facing a backlog that, without changing their ways, could take up to six years to complete.

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Mapped: the world's best digital governments

Jennifer Guay

August 13, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Denmark, Copenhagen

Denmark is first place in a 2018 ranking of digital governments, largely due to making it mandatory that citizens be able to access public services online. Their digital success is also credited to Denmark's ability to coordinate local and federal governments to ensure a joint effort.

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More Cities Want to Embrace ‘Democracy Vouchers'

Tanvi Misra

August 08, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Seattle residents receive cash vouchers to contribute to local campaigns of their choosing. The taxpayer-funded program aims to broaden political participation and counter the influence of big donors. The idea is spreading to other cities, including Albuquerque and Austin.

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Can Philanthropy Save a City?

Alana Semuels

August 02, 2018 |

The Atlantic |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Stockton, California

Stockton is courting philanthropists by billing itself as a budding hub of innovation for fighting poverty. The city is mitigating the risks of tapping private foundations to fund city services by identifying target policies and programs ahead of time.

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A coalition of governments is fighting authoritarianism with transparency

Anoush Darabi

July 27, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Georgia, Tbilisi

Making government more transparent is one strategy that countries are using to counteract rising xenophobia and populism. More than 85 national and subnational governments have committed to publishing spending data, protecting whistleblowers, and more as members of the Open Government Partnership.

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Chicago Hiked the Cost of Vehicle City Sticker Violations to Boost Revenue. But It's Driven More Low-Income, Black Motorists Into Debt.

Melissa Sanchez Elliott Ramos

July 26, 2018 |

ProPublica |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

When Chicago raised the fee for not having a vehicle sticker, the move seemed like a way to raise revenue without punishing compliant drivers. But now, thanks in part to racial disparities in policing, thousands of mostly black people are going bankrupt due to ticket debt.

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The Downsides of Property Tax Caps

J. Brian Charles

July 26, 2018 |

Governing |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Property tax caps have been found to exacerbate economic inequality. They restrict funding for basic services and push municipalities to increase sales taxes and fees instead.

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L.A. Offers a Tax Break for Urban Farming—But No One's Taking It

Ludwig Hurtado

July 24, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

In 2014, the California legislature passed legislation to create the Urban Agriculture Incentive Zones (UAIZ), offering tax breaks to landowners to turn their vacant lots into community farms. However, the legislation has failed to create any kind of community impact: only 4 lots have received the tax break in the 4 years that the program has existed. Landowners have been disincentivized by five-year lending terms and insufficient implementation.

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How to design your department like a behavioural scientist

Jennifer Guay

July 10, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Australia

Organizational design makes a big difference for public servants. Let workers personalize their desks and sit near teammates. Let them speak in reverse-hierarchical order during meetings, contribute ideas anonymously, and openly discuss the possibility of failure. Even small changes like these can dramatically improve productivity and happiness.

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Chasing the curve: As budgets churn, can Montana get its mentally ill care before they hit crisis?

Eric Dietrich Katheryn Houghton

July 08, 2018 |

Bozeman Daily Chronicle |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Livingston, Montana

This threatened mental health care in a tangible way, but the state has found ways to provide services differently. Despite limited funding, state health officials still choose to direct funds toward prevention, rather than only paying for emergency services. Using outpatient support groups and an integrated behavioral health system are other options. Still, the state is figuring out how to provide higher quality care on a lower budget.

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