The hottest Local Governance Substack posts right now

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The Scottish island that bought itself

The Novelleist • 890 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
🌐 International Local Governance
  1. Communities can buy and own the land they live on: on Eigg residents formed a trust to buy the island, sell 99-year leases to locals, and use the income to reinvest in the community.
  2. The trust acts like a tiny government with representatives from residents, the local council, and a wildlife trust, and it runs infrastructure and services. They built a renewable energy grid and manage tourism so money benefits locals instead of absentee landlords.
  3. Scotland scaled this idea with public funds and land-reform laws that give communities first rights to buy land, leading to hundreds of community-owned estates. This creates many small, self-supporting, resident-controlled places that could be a blueprint for better cities.

Friday brief: MP calls for Tory councillor to leave politics after wife’s prison sentence

NN Journal • 178 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. An MP is asking a Tory councillor to resign after his wife was jailed for a racist tweet that incited violence. They believe actions in politics should reflect higher standards.
  2. Lucy Connolly was sentenced to over two years in prison for posting a tweet during summer riots that encouraged violence against hotels housing asylum seekers. This led to her arrest and conviction.
  3. Members of the community took action to prevent potential riots and expressed discomfort with Cllr Connolly's continued presence on the council after his wife's actions.

Row breaks out over council’s redundancy plans

NN Journal • 178 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. The West Northamptonshire Council is offering voluntary redundancies to staff to cut costs as they face a budget shortfall. This could also include options for early retirement and reduced work hours.
  2. The Labour party is very unhappy with this decision, calling it a 'debacle' that risks worsening already strained public services.
  3. Current waiting times for services are long, and losing staff now might make these services even harder to access for the public.

Development hailed as biggest transformation of town’s centre since ‘great fire’ has likely ‘considerable viability and funding gap’

NN Journal • 238 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. The Greyfriars area in Northampton is set for a big redevelopment, but there are concerns about money to make it happen. A partnership with a regeneration company aims to figure out the costs and plans soon.
  2. This project could create over 7,000 jobs and boost the local economy by one billion pounds, but how to pay for it all is still unclear.
  3. Local leaders are excited about this transformation, viewing it as a chance to fix past development mistakes and improve the town's center significantly.

Friday brief: Concern as Northampton’s Guildhall statues set to move

NN Journal • 218 implied HN points • 04 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. There's a plan to move statues from the Guildhall courtyard, which is causing concern among locals. These statues honor important figures in the town's history.
  2. The town council is being asked to move out of the Guildhall but still wants a say in what happens to the statues and the building's future.
  3. A vacant council building is set to be sold to a shoe manufacturer after previous plans for it fell through. This sale could lead to the creation of new jobs and restoration of the building.
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Beautiful Queenstown NZ is proposing to expand the area where sex trade activities can occur.

A B’Old Woman • 559 implied HN points • 01 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. Queenstown, New Zealand is looking to expand areas where sex trade activities can happen. This proposal has raised concerns among local groups and residents.
  2. The Women’s Rights Party opposes the expansion, arguing it will worsen economic issues like low wages and unaffordable housing that push people into prostitution.
  3. Critics believe that normalizing prostitution by treating it like a small business ignores the dangers and exploitation involved, which they think should be highlighted more.

Prepare for the Era of the Shy NIMBY

Freddie deBoer • 2011 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. NIMBYs, or 'Not In My Backyard' people, often get less media attention than YIMBYs, who support building more homes. This can make it hard for their concerns about housing and community rights to be heard.
  2. Many people quietly hold NIMBY views but don’t speak up due to social pressure. This could be similar to the shy Trump voters — they might vote for policies that protect their interests even if they don't openly discuss it.
  3. To make progress on housing issues, it's important to find common ground with NIMBYs. Understanding their worries can help foster cooperation and lead to better solutions for everyone.

The Other American Border Towns

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3083 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. Churubusco is a small town in upstate New York, very different from the bustling cities like New York City. It's a place where life is quieter and more rural.
  2. The town feels isolated, especially since it's right on the border with Canada, making it easy to accidentally cross into another country. This adds a layer of caution to everyday activities.
  3. People in upstate New York often feel disconnected from the political decisions made by the more populated areas downstate, which can create frustration about representation and governance.

It’s official! Control of women's and girls' single-sex spaces in Christchurch, NZ, is no longer in the hands of women and girls.

A B’Old Woman • 599 implied HN points • 20 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. The new Equity and Inclusion Policy in Christchurch has removed the protection of single-sex spaces for women and girls. This means that these spaces are now open to people who identify as women, including men.
  2. By not including the term 'sex' in the policy, it's hard to enforce rights for single-sex areas. This change makes it unclear if women's rights in these spaces will be respected or considered at all.
  3. Women and girls can no longer directly ask a man to leave a female space. Instead, they must call a staff member to deal with the situation, which takes away their control and comfort in these spaces.

Can Weekley Hall Wood become another Stanwick Lakes?

NN Journal • 815 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Local Governance
  1. A local community successfully campaigned to save a meadow from being turned into warehouses, showcasing the power of people coming together.
  2. The developer's plan was rejected due to concerns about biodiversity and the landscape, highlighting the importance of protecting natural habitats.
  3. The activist leading the campaign hopes to transform the area into a country park and is prepared to continue fighting against future development plans.

The central planners come for me

In My Tribe • 653 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. Central planners are trying to reshape communities based on their ideas, which may not reflect the preferences of the people living there. Residents should have a say in how their neighborhoods are developed.
  2. Plans for new walkable communities can complicate life for those who rely on cars, especially in areas that are already affordable and diverse. It's important to consider the needs of all residents before making drastic changes.
  3. Incremental improvements might be better than sweeping changes. Solutions like reducing traffic speed can help, but they should not disadvantage those who depend on cars to get around.

Big Housing Vote For Berkeley on Thursday!

The Discourse Lounge • 284 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. A crucial vote on Middle Housing is happening soon in Berkeley, and it's important for locals to express their support. Engaging in the vote can shape the future of housing in the city.
  2. Uniform density standards are needed across all neighborhoods to make zoning fair and understandable for everyone. This change would help avoid confusion and promote inclusivity.
  3. The design of new housing should reflect traditional styles to appeal to community preferences. Mixing old aesthetics with modern needs can create beautiful and welcoming living spaces.

Demand More BART and Buses in Oakland!

The Discourse Lounge • 531 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. Oakland needs more public transit options like BART and buses, especially in busy neighborhoods. Many people depend on better transit to get to work and access the waterfront.
  2. There is a candidate forum on February 18th where locals can ask politicians about improving transit in Oakland. It's a chance for the community to push for important changes.
  3. Residents should pay attention to the candidates' views on public transit and vote for those who support more transportation options. Transit should be a key issue for Oakland voters.

Nevada SB391

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 63 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. A new bill in Nevada aims to limit real estate investors to buying fewer than 100 homes each year, but it lost by just one vote. Supporters worry this could create problems in housing supply and lead to higher rents.
  2. There is a severe housing shortage in Las Vegas, with a need for over 100,000 more units. Many local residents struggle to afford homes, and limiting investments might worsen the situation.
  3. The legislation's impact could hinder future development and make it harder for builders to meet the local housing demand. Cities like Reno are doing better in creating multi-family housing, while Las Vegas struggles with meeting its needs.

Why We Keep Voting On Rent Control

The Discourse Lounge • 683 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. California keeps voting on rent control measures like Prop 33 because there's ongoing controversy about how to handle rising rents and housing shortages. Many people believe rent control could help, even if it has limitations.
  2. Homeowners tend to oppose rent control measures, mainly because they believe it could hurt property values and lead to poorly maintained neighborhoods. As a result, these propositions often fail.
  3. There is a conflict between tenant rights groups and real estate interests, leading to confusing policies. Many think helping tenants won't succeed without addressing homeowners' concerns and the overall supply of housing.

Analyzing The Recall Of Pamela Price

The Discourse Lounge • 512 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. Pamela Price's recall shows that political disagreements shouldn't lead to recalls unless there's serious wrongdoing. Many voters felt the recall was too harsh given the situation.
  2. Demographic changes in the area impacted voting results. Higher growth in White residents correlated with support for Price, while Hispanic communities leaned towards the recall.
  3. The lack of reliable local news played a big role in shaping public opinion against Price. Many residents relied on social media for information, leading to misperceptions about her performance as a District Attorney.

Los Angeles Fires: Water & Power Officials Among Top-Paid City Employees

OpenTheBooks Substack • 283 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. Los Angeles is facing severe wildfires, and the city's mayor, Karen Bass, is being criticized for being out of the country during this crisis. Many people feel it's wrong for her to be away while her city is in such danger.
  2. The pay for top city officials in Los Angeles is high, with the fire chief earning over $400,000. This raises questions about whether their compensation matches the effectiveness of their response to the ongoing fires.
  3. There seems to be a focus on diversity and inclusion in the fire department, but some argue that these goals are not helping to tackle real problems like wildfires. Critics believe that the main focus should be on practical solutions to emergency situations.

Local Green discovers that infinity migrants might not be so great after developer announces plans to open a migrant housing facility in his tiny Bavarian village

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 272 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. Mass migration can bring many challenges to small towns, including noise, crime, and cultural clashes. It can change the feel of a peaceful community very quickly.
  2. Local residents often support refugees in theory but don't want to share their own neighborhoods. They may feel overwhelmed when a large number of migrants are added to a small community.
  3. Planning decisions about housing refugees may be made by distant authorities, leaving locals feeling powerless. This can lead to frustration and protests against such developments.

No, Rent Management Software Didn't Make Phoenix Expensive

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 147 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. The high rent prices in Arizona aren't caused by rental management software. There's a belief that the software is to blame, but that's not the real reason.
  2. A real cartel would limit production intentionally to raise prices, but landlords are actually trying to build more apartments.
  3. Local factors and regulations can stop new apartment projects from happening, which might be a bigger issue affecting rents.

The Slow Death of AC Transit

The Discourse Lounge • 531 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. AC Transit has faced a decline in ridership over the years due to funding cuts and neglect.
  2. Efforts are needed to increase funding for AC Transit and prioritize bus services over suburban rail projects.
  3. Long-term solutions include reforming funding priorities, restoring lost bus lines, and promoting public transportation over private shuttles.

How to Save Oakland

KERFUFFLE • 25 implied HN points • 24 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. Oakland's new mayor, Barbara Lee, needs to focus on improving the city's problems and making it a better place for everyone.
  2. The Oakland Ballers, an independent league baseball team, is bringing hope and excitement back to the community.
  3. Engagement and support from locals can play a big role in turning around Oakland's current challenges.

Correction on Measure FF

The Discourse Lounge • 37 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. There was a visual mistake regarding how the blue color lines were shown, which made it hard to read. It's important to have clear visuals in reports.
  2. Measure FF is expected to keep Berkeley's road quality at a score of 57 without any further city council changes. This means it's important to pay attention to government actions that could affect road conditions.
  3. Measure EE will lower the road quality score from 57 to 54 since it only funds overdue road repairs and not new ones. This shows that funding decisions can have a big impact on infrastructure.

Just How Big Could the Brittleness Bubble Get?

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Local Governance
  1. The Brittleness Bubble is a significant concern due to overvaluation of assets vulnerable to growing risks brought on by the planetary crisis.
  2. Local governments may face budget shortfalls and new costs due to property devaluations caused by climate vulnerabilities.
  3. Investments in local ruggedization efforts and new value creation are crucial to mitigate future financial turmoil and increase sustainable prosperity.

Voter prep for local elections (plus my VA endorsements!)

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 04 Nov 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance
  1. Local elections are really important because they greatly affect our daily lives and families. It's a mistake to underestimate them or ignore voting for local leaders.
  2. Using party affiliation is a smart shortcut if you're unsure about local candidates. It can help you make a good choice without needing to know every detail about each person.
  3. You don't need to do a lot of research to feel confident when voting locally. A little effort to understand the structure of your local government, key issues, and endorsements can make a big difference.