Tag

Local Government

All articles tagged with #local government

politics3 days ago•4 min saved

Mayors gain override power on major planning decisions in 13 areas

UK government to grant mayors in 13 areas new powers to overrule local councils on select planning decisions (large housing schemes, big commercial spaces, or tall buildings), matching London’s “call-in” ability and enabling upfront permission for some projects. Local councils still handle the majority of applications, with a consultation on implementation planned next week. The move aims to boost housing delivery (target of 1.5 million homes by 2030) but has drawn criticism from opposition parties over centralisation and potential two-tier governance.

via BBC|

#england #housing #local-government

local-government6 days ago•1 min saved

Mass. High Court Clears White Stadium Renovation in Franklin Park

Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court ruled that Boston’s $325 million White Stadium renovation, done in partnership with a women’s soccer team, complies with state law, ending a years-long lawsuit and allowing work to proceed to create a new hub for Boston Public Schools Athletics and serve as home to the NWSL team Boston Legacy FC.

via The Boston Globe|

#boston-legacy-fc #emerald-necklace-conservancy #franklin-park

sports6 days ago•6 min saved

Royals Find Rhythm On Field, Stadium Debate Dominates KC Headlines

The Royals’ lineup returns to balance with the returns of Vinnie Pasquantino and Maikel García, fueling a win and proving the management’s envisioned depth when the lineup is fully together. Separately, Lucas Erceg’s pitching arsenal is analyzed as he works to rebound in 2027. Off the field, KC releases new stadium renderings ahead of a pivotal city council committee meeting where a protester was removed, as debate over a roughly $1.9B downtown ballpark—largely funded by taxpayers—intensifies, with critics warning the public cost could soar and votes could be delayed, underscoring how stadium politics are eclipsing on-field news.

via Royals Review|

#baseball #kansas-city-royals #local-government

local-government6 days ago•14 min saved

No-Show at Pied-à-Terre Hearing Sparks NYC Council Outcry

NYC Council members blasted Mayor Mamdani's administration at a City Hall hearing on the pied-à-terre tax after the administration skipped the session. The hearing highlighted a botched rollout: the city has sent notices to about 17,000 households, with exemptions applications swelling from 4,290 to 9,884, and mis-targeted properties rising to 2,318. Lawmakers demanded in-person explanations as lawsuits—led by Randy Mastro—mount against the surcharge on vacant luxury homes. The tax, meant to help close a $5.4 billion budget gap, has drawn criticism over transparency and homework, while Mamdani was reportedly vacationing upstate.

via The City Reporter|

#city-council #exemptions #housing

local-government7 days ago•3 min saved

Vineland Advances Phase 2 Expansion of Controversial Data Center Amid Noise Concerns

The Vineland Planning Board approved Phase 2 of the data center project, adding 600,000 square feet to reach an eventual 2.6 million, after a lengthy public comment period. Residents have raised worries about water and power usage and a persistent humming noise. Data One says the site complies with noise limits and has addressed complaints, and officials will continue to monitor the expansion as Phase 1 remains under construction.

via NBC10 Philadelphia|

#data-center #data-one #local-government

crime11 days ago•3 min saved

Lawrence Mayor Arrested Over $1.65 Million COVID Loan Fraud Allegations

Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña was arrested on wire fraud and money laundering charges for allegedly diverting more than $1.65 million in COVID-19 EIDL funds through his tire business to personal debts, campaign finance and mortgage payments. Prosecutors say SBA increases were approved and funds moved to personal accounts with some checks labeled as campaign loans. He faces up to 20 years for wire fraud and 10 years for money laundering and is due in federal court in Boston.

via Boston 25 News|

#corruption #crime #eidl

politics13 days ago•3 min saved

Seattle Mayor’s Recall Effort Faces Uphill Battle Over Public Safety Decisions

Two Seattle residents filed a recall petition against Mayor Katie Wilson, accusing her of dereliction of duties related to public safety and citing moves on Aurora Avenue, Little Saigon, and turning off CCTV cameras after the World Cup. If a judge allows the recall to proceed, supporters would have about six months to collect roughly 70,000 signatures to place the measure on the ballot. recalls in Seattle’s history are rare, and experts say the charges describe missteps rather than illegal acts, making success uncertain; if it advances, an election could occur next year.

via KUOW|

#elections #local-government #note-extra-tag-may-be-trimmed-to-five

technology16 days ago•8 min saved

Local officials unite across parties to curb Flock’s ALPR network

Across the United States, more than 20 local jurisdictions canceled or paused contracts with Flock Safety, a leading license plate reader network, amid concerns about mass surveillance and data privacy, including potential data sharing with federal or immigration enforcement; residents have pressed councils in diverse communities to deactivate cameras at sensitive locations, while officials argue the move could compromise public safety, illustrating a broad bipartisan pushback against the technology.

via Politico|

#bipartisan #license-plate-readers #local-government

local-news18 days ago•53 min saved

Dunedin Councillor’s Bathroom Zoom Moment Goes Viral

New Zealand’s Dunedin City Councillor Jo Galer livestreamed a council meeting from her bathroom, with laundry clearly visible in the background. The mayor gently suggested changing the backdrop as viewers noticed the scene, sparking a flurry of online jokes about the display. Galer carried on with her discussion on council spending, while the incident drew comparisons to a similar Glasgow council moment from the previous year.

via AOL.com|

#bathroom-backdrop #dunedin #jo-galer

technology19 days ago•28 min saved

Bipartisan Backlash Against AI Data Centers Reshapes Local Politics

The Verge’s Decoder interview with policy reporter Gaby Del Valle explores a growing, bipartisan backlash to AI data centers driven by local concerns—water use, noise, environmental impact, and questionable job promises—showing protests crossing traditional party lines and revealing a populist technocrat divide that could shape local governance and future elections, with Florida moratoriums and nationwide activism signaling how data centers may redefine community input and policy.

via The Verge|

#ai #backlash #data-centers

local-government19 days ago•1 min saved

Multnomah County commits $101M to Moda Center renovation amid arena funding push

Multnomah County approved a term sheet committing up to $101 million toward renovating the Moda Center as part of a roughly $600 million public funding package for the Portland Trail Blazers’ arena. The 4-1 vote starts negotiations with the City of Portland, which must contribute about $120 million, while Oregon’s $365 million state funding is already approved but contingent on local contributions, with a December vote to finalize the deal.

via Blazer's Edge|

#arena-renovation #local-government #moda-center

local-government21 days ago•26 min saved

Tarrant County court clears room during voting-site reduction hearing

During a Tarrant County Commissioners Court meeting about proposed reductions to Election Day and early voting sites for the November midterms, County Judge Tim O’Hare ordered attendees to leave after some audience members clapped; former state representative Lon Burnam was carried out in deputies’ custody and later arrested. The plan would shrink Election Day sites to 176 (about a 45% drop from 316 in 2022) and early-voting sites to 42 (from 50). Protesters chanted as deputies cleared the chamber; after a recess, speakers were allowed back in one at a time with warnings of further arrests for disruptions. This is a developing story.

via Fort Worth Report|

#elections #local-government #lon-burnam

local-news22 days ago•5 min saved

Seattle Police Chief Resigns Amid Tax Lien, Absences, and Policy Rift

New information surrounding Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes’ resignation includes a federal tax lien against him and his wife, questions about his availability during the Bite of Seattle mass shooting, and disagreements over public-safety policy; Mayor Katie Wilson says leadership concerns drove the resignation, Barnes will receive about $700,000, and Assistant Chief Andre Sayles was named interim chief.

via KIRO 7 News Seattle|

#local-government #local-news #police

local24 days ago•2 min saved

Colorado town Hartman dissolved after water crisis and leadership exodus

Hartman, a southeastern Colorado town with fewer than 60 residents, was declared abandoned after all elected leaders resigned amid a prolonged drinking-water crisis and governance failures, allowing surrounding county authorities to assume responsibility for water delivery and infrastructure under state law.

via The Guardian|

#abandoned-town #colorado #hartman

local-government27 days ago•8 min saved

Seattle Tightens SEPA Appeals to Accelerate Housing Drive

Seattle City Council approved a narrow 5-4 SEPA reform to curb city-level appeals of broad zoning changes by moving SEPA challenges to King County Superior Court or the Growth Management Hearings Board, aligning Seattle with nearby jurisdictions. Supporters say the change speeds housing production and supports Mayor Wilson’s Taller Denser Faster plan, while opponents warn it weakens environmental protections and could reduce public input. The measure affects the Harrell growth plan’s next phase and reflects continued partisan debate over how quickly Seattle should grow.

via The Urbanist|

#growth-plan #housing #local-government