In Palm Springs California, the local newspaper took a monthlong break from national politics, publishing only local and state-oriented columns and letters to the editor on its opinion page. Convinced that nationalizing news and opinion consumption increases polarization, a team of researchers wrote a book about the experiment.
The latest edition of the model city charter continues the National Civic League’s tradition of promoting ethical, efficient governance, but also includes some changes intended to sharpen its focus on public engagement and social equity.
In 2019 and 2020, a group of local government managers met twice a year to trade ideas and experiences on innovative forms of citizen engagement and democratic governance, and in some cases, to unlearn some of the lessons they may have been taught in their M.P.A programs.
Dayton, Ohio, has had a history of setbacks and tough challenges, but also of community perseverance and civic innovation.
In the late 1990s, eight electric utilities in Texas participated in an experiment in public consultation about energy priorities. Today, the Lonestar State is the country’s largest producer of wind energy.
Local government managers are exploring new ideas about democratic governance and developing new strategies for pubic engagement. These experiments reflect a growing recognition that the challenges facing communities are so complex and the policy choices so value-laden and contentious, that forming a workable consensus required a more rigorous approach to public engagement.
Through its century and a quarter history, the organization has been at the center of innovative efforts to improve the civic life of America’s communities. What began as a nuts and bolts “good government” reform organization has evolved over time along with the changing nature of our communities and the challenges they face.
Energy experts say more than half of expenses associated with adopting solar energy are related to “soft‐costs” such as financing, permitting, inspection, installation, and other costs unrelated to the hardware. By participating in the SolSmart program, more than 200 communities are showing how they are overcoming these barriers and making solar energy more affordable and easier for homeowners and businesses to adopt.
