city government news stories on Newser

Colorado Springs Becomes Tea Party Paradise

Kevin Spak — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:38:00 CDT

Just how conservative is Colorado Springs? So conservative that even the Wall Street Journal says it’s “Taking Small Government to the Extreme.” The town is strapped for cash, but voters have rejected a tax increase, urging the government to slash services instead. Letters to the town council and local newspapers...

States Fret as Road Salt Grows Scarce, Pricey

Nick McMaster — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:43:09 CDT

Road salt is stressing state and municipal budgets as shortages drive prices up well past what local governments have paid in the past, USA Today reports. A harsh winter last year left many states with no salt reserves to carry over, meaning they have to fully restock at inflated prices....

Credit Crunch Shuts Down State, City Projects

Rob Quinn — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 06:56:13 CDT

The credit crisis is squeezing the life out of local governments, reports the New York Times . Cities and states have found themselves shut out of bond markets for the last 2 weeks, and big projects, from new hospitals to highway repairs, are being shelved or delayed. Analysts believe the days...

Girl's Death Moves Philly Mayor to Tears, Fury

Nick McMaster — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:04:28 CDT

Philly mayor Michael Nutter was visibly enraged today as he announced the suspension of seven city social workers who failed to prevent the starving death of a young girl, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Nutter was responding to a grand jury report that found the negligence of caseworkers abetted Danieal Kelly’s...

LA Billboards Off the Charts

Nick McMaster — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:21:14 CDT

Billboards are out of control in the City of Angels, Pat Morrison writes in the Los Angeles Times , and an industry with almost no accountability is again fighting city efforts at regulation. Giants Clear Channel and CBS Outdoor are throwing a "well-lawyered hissy-fit" against an effort to make the location...