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15 countries, other states use social impact bonds, too

Kristen Jordan Shamus

December 13, 2016 |

Detroit Free Press |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Peterborough

A project launched in the United Kingdom uses social-impact bonds to reduce recidivism among prisoners, bringing together public and private resources to implement more effective and cost efficient social programs. Their success is inspiring other countries to follow suit.

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Canada moves ahead on carbon taxes, leaving the U.S. behind

Peter Fairley

November 21, 2016 |

MIT Technology Review |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Canada

The United States has refused to institute a carbon tax, but Canada has agreed to a carbon tax in all provinces by 2018. The carbon tax has received support across party lines, however, some elections remain to see if the carbon tax favoring candidates are elected.

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How to House Us All: A Tyee Reader

Chris Wood

November 21, 2016 |

The Tyee |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Canada, Ottawa

Throughout Canada, the available housing is insufficient to meet the needs of its residents: many homes are too expensive, unsafe, or unavailable. To address this problem, the Canadian government has sought feedback from citizens in the “Let’s Talk Housing” program. The feedback has shown many excellent models for progress, including tiny homes, partnerships with faith groups, and creative transit use. The Canadian Housing and Renewal Association is also supporting Ottawa in making more affordable housing possible.

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How Raton got its groove back

Staci Matlock

November 15, 2016 |

Small Towns Big Change |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Raton, New Mexico

By investing public money, developing a branch of a local community college, and encouraging locals to invest in their own hometown, the small city of Raton, New Mexico has begun to turn their economic hardships around. City officials have looked beyond cyclical extraction businesses like coal mining in order to think about long-term financial success for their community members.

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Rural economies get high on legal cannabis

Leah Todd Lin

November 15, 2016 |

High Country News |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Trinidad, Colorado

Many small towns in Colorado who have previously struggled economically are now benefitting from the legal marijuana industry. The marijuana sales tax is helping towns pay for infrastructure and development efforts. However, local officials are wary of becoming too reliant upon this industry, as it may not be sustainable. For the time being, towns are using their extra tax dollars to build up their communities.

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Can Metro Detroit's municipalities cooperate?

Ellen Vial

November 14, 2016 |

Model D |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Faced with insufficient revenue to fund key services like fire departments thanks to state laws limiting tax rates, two communities in Southeast Michigan used another state law to form a regional services authority that levies a property tax to fully fund both cities' fire departments. The authority is looking to mentor other communities on how to do this. Similar regional cooperative agreements are in place at a larger scale in Minneapolis/St. Paul and Pittsburgh addressing things like transportation, regional planning and affordable housing.

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Cook County, Home of Chicago, Becomes Largest Locale With a Soda Tax

Hal Dardick

November 14, 2016 |

Chicago Tribune |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

To create revenue and avoid damaging cuts for public health and public safety systems, Cook County has approved a controversial penny-an-ounce pop tax.

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A day to expunge criminal records is hugely popular in Philly

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 11, 2016 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, people with certain types of misdemeanors can ask the courts to seal their records from public view. When this law was passed, a team of 175 lawyers, paralegals, and law students volunteered to help eligible people start the process of sealing their records. The event was a big hit with 1,853 people signing up for help, so many that registration had to close. Of the applicants, 1,200 will likely get their records sealed.

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Court Innovations' Matterhorn Allows People to Handle Court Cases Online

Stephen St.Vincent

October 12, 2016 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Low-income people often miss out on court dates because they cannot afford to miss work or leave their children. Michigan and Ohio courts have incorporated the Matterhorn “online adjudication system” to handle simple cases so individuals can participate through the Internet. The system also offers the advantage of having “less bias” than in-person trials, because the race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status of the individual is protected online.

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Great Falls parking district, rate increase considered

Jenn Rowell

September 20, 2016 |

Great Falls Tribune |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Great Falls, Montana

Great Falls parking system is not properly funded, and there are a number of improvements to parking structures that need to be made. An improvement district is now being proposed that will use the money made from parking meters to be used to fund repairs.

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