This post is part 1 of a 3-part series by recently-graduated SF2011 Fellow Marielle Earwood, reflecting on her Fellowship year. The best thing about being a Fellow…. is that you feel like you are VIP wherever you go. During the first three weeks of my Fellowship year, we went all around the city and wereRead… Read more »
by Whitney Ramos, SF2011 There is an email in my inbox with the subject “CPUC GHG OIR PHC.” Within the context of my office at the SFPUC (that’s the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission) I know that the email is about the California Public Utilities Commission’s Greenhouse Gas Order to Institute a Rulemaking, Pre-hearing Conference.Read… Read more »
by Megan Degeneffe, SF2011 Soon after starting work at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) I noticed something strange. I work in the Water Conservation Section, a group dedicated to helping San Francisco customers reduce their water use. The SFPUC, however, is funded by selling water to ratepayers. The paradox is clear- I workRead… Read more »
by Meg Degeneffe, SF2011 Last week I felt like I made a difference in my city. Last week the Fellows presented on our final project: analyzing recidivism in San Francisco. Recidivism is a huge challenge facing cities, with most studies showing 50% to 80% of those released from custody re-offend. Unfortunately, a comprehensive analysis ofRead… Read more »
In recent weeks, the main stream media has questioned whether the Obama administration’s Open Government initiative has lost its steam. But is it really dead? For example, Washington Post columnist Vivek Wadhwa’s article “The Death of Open Government” followed the resignation announcement of the federal government’s chief information officer – and Open Government champion —Read… Read more »
During childhood, our parents instill in us the concept of minding our manners. In my house, this meant simple things like saying please and thank you, not interrupting when someone was speaking, and being generally respectful of others. It seemed like every time I left the house my mother would say “have fun and mindRead… Read more »
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $103 million in grants awarded to 16 states to expand rural broadband yesterday. The money will be shared across broadband authorities and private companies in the group of states. USDA said the awards were meant to close the digital divide between rural and urban areas. Arkansas, California, Illinois,Read… Read more »
After striking and picketing outside of several Verizon Wireless stores, Communications Workers of America (CWA), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and Verizon have reached a bargaining agreement. Union members will return to work on Tuesday, August 23. Both AFGE National Secretary-Treasurer J. David Cox and National Vice President/Women’s Fair Practices Director Augusta Thomas joinedRead… Read more »
SUPER PAC VIEW. Charlie Spies addresses Restore Our Future in this USAT editorial. “The activities of Super PACs, such as Restore Our Future, are not only constitutionally protected, but also are important for our democracy because they add voices to the political discourse. Restore Our Future will continue to fully comply with the law andRead… Read more »
Day 16 Back to work after a weekend of working on a presentation I’m giving in September at the Illinois Association of Highway Engineers conference in Normal, Ill. I’m really looking forward to the event, and if anyone reading this is going make sure to say hi at the conference! Development Meeting So today wasRead… Read more »