Democratic Socialist Nithya Raman Set To Oust L.A. Mayor Karen Bass
DSA mayors are set to run New York, L.A., and Washington, D.C.
Local Government
New York Voters Say Yes to Mamdani Administration's 'COGE' Recommendations
Voters gave the green light to Mamdani's proposed efficiency initiatives.
Quacks Vote To Approve Duck Bills in D.C. and Denver
Two measures passed banning the sale and production of foie gras. But the campaigns were based on shaky logic with a dash of class warfare.
Democratic Socialists of America
Socialist Janeese Lewis George Easily Wins D.C.'s Mayoral Election
The mayor-elect will have to reconcile her left-wing promises with the realities of persistent budget deficits and a hostile president.
Jacksonville's $775 Million Stadium Deal Was Sold on a Super Bowl the Jaguars' Owner Says Won't Happen
The study the Jaguars commissioned to justify the public spending is “propaganda,” says one economist.
NYC Looks To Scale Up Mamdani's Office of Community Safety. Minneapolis Leaders Just Voted To End Theirs.
Some members of New York City Council want to implement Zohran Mamdani's vision for a Department of Community Safety. The Minneapolis City Council just voted to end that city's community safety apparatus.
After 11 Years of Muriel Bowser, D.C. Readies Itself for Its First Socialist Mayor
Come Tuesday, D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George is all but assured to win election as a replacement retiring three-term Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Even Under Mamdani, New York City's Ballot Questions Might Cut Red Tape and Public Review Hearings
Mamdani’s Commission on Government Efficiency put forward ballot proposals to cut red tape.
He Won a City Council Seat by Openly Admitting How Little He Wants the Job
"I barely want to do this," Brady Rogers admitted. Voters apparently appreciated the honesty.
Grassroots Revolt Targets Unpopular Property Taxes
Annual tax bills make many homeowners feel more like eternal renters.
He Campaigned for the East Cleveland Mayor's Opponent. Then Police Came for His Truck.
A federal court recently revived William Fambrough's lawsuit, which alleges city officials—including then-Mayor Brandon King—retaliated against him for his speech.
Some Progressives Tried To Abolish the Tipped Minimum Wage. Now They're Backtracking.
Policymakers across the country are confronting the unfortunate—and predictable—economic results of prohibiting restaurants from paying servers a lower base wage supplemented by tips.
Why Are California's Governments So Lousy at Fighting Wildfires?
Bigger agencies, higher spending, and expanded workforces don't always make government more effective.
Cambridge Decriminalizes Sex Work—Sort Of
Harvard's hometown just adopted a new policy against arresting or prosecuting sex workers. But what the policy means in practice—including for sex buyers—is debatable.
Will Mamdani Make Housing More Affordable?
Emily Eisner and Kenny Burgos debate Zohran Mamdani's housing policies.
Mamdani Promised To Freeze the Rent. Now His Rent Freeze Is in Court.
A lawsuit alleges New York City's Rent Guidelines Board broke the law by arbitrarily predetermining the outcome.
Why Is Seattle Keeping Her From Cleaning Up Trash?
Since 2020, We Heart Seattle has picked up over 2 million pounds of trash. In response, the state government is investigating the group for improper handling of materials.
Police in Texas Totaled an Innocent Woman's Car. Why Did Houston Deny Her Claim for Compensation?
Law enforcement shot bystander Abigail Trujillo's vehicle dozens of times. Her struggle to get help is part of a larger pattern.
In Chicago, Putting a Hot Dog in a Bun Can Get You in Trouble
I've been working in law and public policy for over 15 years, and even I had a hard time making sense of Chicago's permit rules for food vendors.
College Founded by 'Christian Nationalist' Pastor Claims Religious Discrimination by Zoning Officials
New Saint Andrews College says Moscow, Idaho, officials are imposing special restrictions out of animus against the college's founder, Doug Wilson.
Flock's Gunfire Alerts Raise a New Fourth Amendment Question
Gun owners should be paying attention to how police use gunfire microphones in conjunction with license plate cameras.
Why Did a California County Fine Them Over $1 Million for Someone Else's Code Violations?
A recent settlement crippled a local code enforcement scheme—and exposed the perils of turning petty violations into government revenue streams.
NYC Law Could Force Uber and Lyft to Keep Dangerous Drivers on the Road
A federal judge temporarily blocked it from taking effect. But the legal fight is ongoing.
Maryland Synagogue Challenges Restrictive Gun Law
Montgomery County officials want to prevent houses of worship from making security decisions.
A California County Used Drones To Spy on Homes. A Settlement Will Now Require Warrants.
Sonoma County launched the program to find illegal cannabis grows, but it secretly morphed into a wider search for minor building code violations.
How St. Paul's Rent Control Experiment Backfired Spectacularly
Construction of new housing collapsed in the Minnesota city as builders took their business elsewhere.
A Connecticut Couple Is Fighting for the Right To Let People Hike on Their Land
Charles and Elizabeth Copley have big plans for their 50-acre property, but the town insists they need a business license to let people to hike or walk their dogs.
Surveillance Camera Saboteurs Are Getting Government Officials' Attention
Sometimes direct action is the only way to get politicians to consider civil liberties.
The 'Affordability' Agenda That Taxes Your Dinner
Food-related taxes are rising in popularity, though they hurt restaurants and customers—and may even fail as a revenue-raising tool.
Mamdani's Tax Database Doxed Wealthy New Yorkers
The New York City mayor painted a target on wealthy taxpayers.
For Thousands of New York City Apartment Buildings, the Math Doesn't Math
This year’s rent freeze is just the latest regulation pushing New York City’s rent-stabilized housing stock toward financial and physical collapse.
What Jimothy the Raccoon Reveals About Seattle
A local lawmaker said she wants to "keep my measured distance from him so he can live his good little life." What about humans?
The Hidden Problem With Democrats' $25 Minimum Wage Bill
The legislation would eliminate the tip credit for restaurant workers and other tipped employees—which has not worked out well in the past.
Local Officials Vow To Shield the Public from Virginia's Authoritarian New Gun Laws
A new chapter in the never-ending battle between centralized power and local control.
L.A. Delays Its $30 Hotel 'Olympic Wage' Until After the Olympics
It's a temporary reprieve for a sector that has been struggling for years. But the fight is just getting started.
Mamdani Got His Rent Freeze Wish. Don't Expect New York City Housing To Become More Affordable.
The NYC Rent Guidelines Board voted to freeze rent for approximately 1 million apartments on Thursday night.
Secret Emails Reveal Sketchy Tactics in California Public Health's Tobacco Ban 'Endgame'
Here are the sketchy tactics California’s public health agency is using to convince towns and cities to ban tobacco sales.
The Mayor Who Loves Bodegas Is Building Taxpayer-Funded Competitors
Zohran Mamdani's administration has not studied how New York City's government-backed grocery stores will affect nearby mom-and-pop outlets, which operate on thin profit margins.
How Worried Should We Be About a Socialist Mayor in D.C.?
In Tuesday's Democratic primary, voters overwhelmingly voted for Janeese Lewis George, a socialist who's promised to resist Donald Trump.
'Find Some Kids': How Health Officials Drummed Up Fake Support for Tobacco Bans in Massachusetts Towns
State health officials scouted towns, scripted hearings, recruited teen witnesses, and celebrated each ban as a "win."
