Government / Politics

Trump Protests

Data Dispute Trump's Claims About Sanctuary Cities as Hotbeds of Crime

The "sanctuary cities" that President Trump has repeatedly characterized as incubators of crime are generally safer than other cities, according to a new analysis of FBI crime data.

February 3, 2017 - The Washington Post

Energy and Environmental Regulations Under Attack—by Congress

Two environmental regulations enacted by the Obama Administration are expected to be rescinded under the Congressional Review Act: the Stream Protection Rule that protects water from mountaintop coal mining and limits on flaring methane emissions.

February 2, 2017 - NPR

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao

Elaine Chao Confirmed as U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary

Elaine Chao, who served eight years as labor secretary under President George W. Bush, was confirmed on Jan. 31 as the Secretary of Transportation, on a 93-6 vote.

February 1, 2017 - USA Today

Kansas City Bridge

The Other $1 Trillion Infrastructure Plan

President Trump is not the only one proposing a huge infrastructure plan—Senate Democrats have their own. The cost is the same, but financing is different. The Democrats' plan does just what Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell warned against.

January 31, 2017 - The Hill

Get Ready for a Wave of Federal Land Transfers in Western States

It's the antithesis of what former President Obama and his predecessors did when they gave federal lands and waters more protection. But don't blame Trump's executive actions for this one (not yet, anyway), as it's being proposed by Congress.

January 29, 2017 - The Guardian

Arch Rock Beach

Oregon Residents Could Soon Pay a Fee to Hit the Water

The state of Oregon will consider legislation that would raise $2.17 million a year by implementing a fee on non-motorized users of public waterways.

January 29, 2017 - Mail Tribune

Cap-and-Trade Foes Have Their Day in Court

The biggest threat to California's cap-and-trade program, a critical component of the state's comprehensive effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, may not come from the Trump Administration but from a lawsuit heard in Sacramento on January 24.

January 27, 2017 - Capital Public Radio

Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Recalling Canada's Former, Climate Change-Denying Prime Minister

There are similarities between the policy actions of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government and the nascent Trump Administration. The differences in approach between these two examples are also telling.

January 27, 2017 - The Atlantic

President Donald Trump

Good Trump, Bad Trump

The Trump Administration is sending out mixed signals on public transit issues. Why?

January 26, 2017 - Michael Lewyn

Bay Bridge Toll

Poll Appears to Show Opposition to Toll Financing for Trump Infrastructure Plan

A Washington Post/ABC News poll released Jan. 17 showed the exact opposite result of a Reuters/Ipsos poll released two days later on the financing for President Trump's $1 trillion infrastructure plan. However, the polls took different approaches.

January 26, 2017 - The Washington Post

Shopping Mall

Malls Take Action to Curb Troublemaking Teenagers

Some malls across the country have taken to enforcing bans on unaccompanied minors to quell potential trouble, but in California the bans are raising issues of civil libertiies.

January 26, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

New Orleans

Proposed Law Would Curb Late-Night Partying in New Orleans

A string of shootings on Bourbon Street in New Orleans have inspired the mayor to propose a package of new security measures. One of the proposals would cut back the city's all-night revelry.

January 25, 2017 - The Advocate

Dakota Access Pipeline

Trump Reverses Obama's Rejections of Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines

Fulfilling two campaign promises, President Trump conditionally approved two controversial pipelines to transport oil sands from Alberta and Bakken oil from North Dakota, certain to stir opposition from environmentalists and Native Americans.

January 24, 2017 - USA Today

Coit Tower

To Meet Climate Change Goals, San Francisco Tries Networking

San Francisco's Business Council on Climate Change serves as a 'convener' between municipal government and the private sector to tackle issues related to climate change. Writer Andrew Wade spoke with the Council's executive director, Michael Parks.

January 24, 2017 - Doggerel

EPA Nominee Scott Pruitt Could Weaken California's Efforts to Fight Climate Change

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt suggested that as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency he might not allow California to set its own stricter motor vehicle emissions standards.

January 24, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Gas Pump

U.S. Gasoline Consumption Might Decline Despite Love Affair with SUVs

Gasoline consumption in the U.S. peaked in 2007, but began climbing in late 2014 with the decline in gas prices. Last year almost set a new record, but increases in gas prices, fuel efficiency and more EVs could reverse the direction—but when?

January 24, 2017 - Oil Price

Biking in India

Indian Politician Wins Use of Bicycle Imagery, Symbolizing 'Balance'

A political feud over the image of the bicycle has just been resolved in the state of Uttar Predesh.

January 24, 2017 - The New York Times

Polar Ice Caps

The Obama Administration Got a Final $500 Million to the U.N. Climate Fund

It may be the last U.S. contribution the fund sees for some time.

January 23, 2017 - Grist

Toll Road

Poll: User Fees Preferred Over Tax and Bond Financing for Infrastructure

A Reuters' poll on a national infrastructure investment program shows some support for a plan similar to one suggested, though not detailed, by Elaine Chao, President Trump's nominee for transportation secretary.

January 22, 2017 - Reuters

Climate Change Removed from White House Website

Well, that didn't take long! Goodbye Obama Clean Action Plan and restrictive environmental regulations; hello shale oil and gas revolution.

January 22, 2017 - Planetizen

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