Climate: Models Underestimate Effect

11/10/2019 Things are getting interesting … as in the purported ancient Chinese curse: “may you live in interesting times.” A recent essay in the NY Times, titled “How Scientists Got Climate Change So Wrong“, noted that because of the perceived need for consensus when proposing new theorems or predictions, scientists “tend to underestimate the severity … Read more

Deregulation Follies: Pork Plants Taking Over Inspections

04/06/2019 Over 100 years ago Sinclair Lewis wrote “The Jungle“. While the book’s main focus was an account of the grinding poverty faced by immigrants, it painted a compelling picture of conditions in America’s meatpacking industry. It wasn’t pretty. Lewis’s book struck a nerve that prompted US President Theodore Roosevelt to appoint a commission to … Read more

Environment: EPA – Clean Water Rule

08/18/2018 Nothing’s gotten big business and conservative groups all riled up like the EPA’s Clean Water Rule (aka Waters of the US, or WOTUS). The rule was adopted during the Obama administration under provisions of the Clean Water Act. It clarified and expanded the definition of wetlands and small waterways, and curbed development around waters … Read more

Energy: China – Solar – Investment

10/10/2015 The World Economic Forum blog has an interesting post that graphs the level of investment in renewable energy, comparing countries around the world. China tops the list by a long shot. I find it interesting that direct experience with choked, polluted cities was a factor in deciding how to allocate resources and investment. So … Read more

Money: Investors versus Pension Funds

04/01/2013 Big news in the world of municipal finance today. A federal bankruptcy court gave the thumbs-up to the City of Stockton, California, to file bankruptcy. Not many local governments have availed themselves of that option, so this is an interesting case to watch. The big fight is between the city’s bond holders and employee … Read more

Issue: Transparency – Government Information

04/10/2012 Last night I gave a presentation on Missouri’s open records and meetings law to a group of elected officials. I opened with a quote from President James Madison, who on August 4, 1822, stated: “A popular government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or … Read more