Cash, Care, Climate, and Controversy

Exploring Basic Income’s Impact, Democracy’s Trials, and Sustainability’s Breakthroughs - Political Reading Recap for the Past Week of August 26th

Hello Political Reading Recap readers,

Here’s a brief look at what’s covered in each section of this week’s newsletter:

Basic Income: We delve into the role of basic income in protecting rainforests, the impact of cash stipends on homelessness, and more.

Democracy: This section explores Mexico’s judicial reform, foreign interference in the 2024 election, and the push for filibuster reform in the U.S. Senate.

Sustainability: We examine innovations in renewable energy, the rise of nuclear power, and breakthroughs in solar technology.

Other News: Topics include the benefits of paid leave, new military aid to Ukraine, and the impact of school choice on public education.

Finally, before digging into this week’s news, I want to thank my #1 fan, video editor, and wife, Janela, as it was her 28th birthday this past week and I love her so much. If you want to be featured in future newsletters, please comment below what new topics you want to see me cover or any questions that you want me to answer.

Basic Income-

US Basic Income Trials

Gunna’s Guaranteed Income Program: Rolling Stone covers rapper Gunna’s initiative to provide guaranteed income to families in South Fulton, Georgia. This program aims to uplift the community and provide economic stability.

Cash Stipends and Homelessness: NPR explores how cash stipends are being used to address homelessness, highlighting the positive outcomes of direct financial support.

A UBI for Teens? Wonkette examines a controversial UBI program for teens in New Orleans that has shown surprising success in improving financial literacy and school attendance.

The Sustainability of Basic Income

Indigenous People and Basic Income in the Amazon: This article discusses how direct funding to Indigenous communities in Peru is helping protect rainforests and combat climate change. It’s a compelling case for the environmental benefits of basic income.

Cash Welfare History

UBI and Child Credit: A Historical Perspective: Kathryn Edwards argues that universal basic income and child credits are modern extensions of early 20th-century welfare programs. This piece provides a historical context for current UBI debates.

Democracy-

Foreign Policy & International News Democracy Impact

Mexico’s Judicial Reform: VOA News reports on the U.S. ambassador’s concerns about Mexico’s planned judicial reform, which could pose a significant risk to democracy.

Mexico’s Electoral Agency and Congressional Seats: ABC News discusses how Mexico’s electoral agency has allocated congressional seats, raising questions about the fairness of the process.

Foreign Adversaries Targeting the 2024 Election: The Brennan Center highlights efforts by Iran, Russia, and China to interfere in the upcoming U.S. election, aiming to sow discord and undermine democracy.

Ranked Choice Voting

Charlottesville Adopts Ranked Choice Voting: Virginia Mercury covers Charlottesville’s move to become the second city in Virginia to adopt ranked-choice voting, a step towards more democratic elections.

Alaskans to Vote on Ranked-Choice Voting in November: This article from Governing discusses the upcoming vote in Alaska on whether to retain the state’s ranked-choice voting system. The Alaska Supreme Court has affirmed that the initiative to repeal ranked-choice voting will appear on the November ballot. This vote is crucial as it could significantly impact the future of election reforms in Alaska & beyond.

Filibuster Reform

Filibuster Reform and Kamala Harris’s Agenda: Jacobin explores how Kamala Harris’s promises at the DNC hinge on the potential reform of the filibuster.

Sustainability-

Clean Energy

Record High Renewable Energy Consumption: Forbes reports on the new record high in renewable energy consumption, highlighting the progress and future potential of green energy.

Decarbonizing the U.S. Power Sector: CATF outlines the progress and opportunities in decarbonizing the U.S. power sector, emphasizing the importance of policy and innovation.

Green Bonds and Renewable Energy: Forbes Business Council discusses how green bonds are accelerating the global renewable energy revolution.

Permitting Reform for Renewable Energy: Vox examines the challenges and opportunities in reforming permitting processes to accelerate renewable energy projects.

Breakthrough Nuclear Reactor One Mile Below Ground: Interesting Engineering covers Deep Fission’s innovative design for a modular nuclear microreactor that can be placed one mile underground. This new approach aims to enhance safety and efficiency by leveraging the stable conditions deep below the Earth’s surface. It’s a groundbreaking development that could revolutionize the future of nuclear power.

Surge in Global Nuclear Reactor Output: Carbon Credits covers the recent surge in global nuclear reactor output and efficiency, showcasing the role of nuclear energy in the clean energy transition.

The State of Nuclear Energy Worldwide: Energy Central provides an overview of the current state of nuclear energy, highlighting its role in the global energy transition. The article discusses the potential of nuclear power to offset the intermittency of renewable sources like wind and solar, emphasizing the need for innovation to overcome existing barriers. This piece is essential for understanding the future of nuclear energy in achieving net-zero emissions.

Increase in Global Nuclear Performance: Nuclear Engineering International reports on the latest World Nuclear Performance Report, which shows a significant increase in global nuclear electricity generation in 2023. Despite a slight drop in overall capacity, nuclear reactors delivered excellent performance, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions. This report underscores the reliability and value of nuclear energy in the global energy mix.

AI and Nuclear Data Centers: CIO explores the inevitability of AI integration in nuclear data centers, highlighting the potential for increased efficiency and safety.

Solar Energy Breakthrough: Coatings World discusses a breakthrough in solar energy technology that could reduce the need for large solar farms, making solar power more accessible.

Other Sustainability News

Circular Recovery Technology: Resource.co discusses new technology for achieving circular recovery of fats, oils, and grease in wastewater, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Effective Climate Policies: KXAN reports on a study that identifies successful climate policies where polluters pay, providing insights into effective environmental strategies.

Morocco’s Cloud Seeding Plans Raise Concerns in Spain: Morocco World News reports on Morocco’s Al-Ghaith cloud seeding program, which aims to increase rainfall and combat drought. However, a Spanish report raises concerns about the potential regional impact, including unpredictable weather patterns and geopolitical tensions. This article highlights the complexities and potential consequences of geoengineering efforts.

Other News-

Foreign Policy

Democratic Party Platform on Israel: Middle East Eye reports on the new Democratic Party platform, which shuns a U.S. arms embargo on Israel, reflecting the party’s stance on foreign policy.

U.S. Military Aid to Israel: The Conversation discusses why the U.S. is unlikely to stop giving military aid to Israel, emphasizing the mutual benefits of the relationship.

U.S. Sending $125 Million in New Military Aid to Ukraine: ABC News reports that the Biden administration is sending $125 million in new military aid to Ukraine. The package includes air defense missiles, artillery ammunition, and anti-armor systems, aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. This aid reflects ongoing U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.

Afghanistan Allies and Refugees: The Washington Post covers the situation of Afghan allies and refugees in the U.S. and the Philippines, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian efforts.

Foreign Policy Divide: Politico examines the divide in U.S. foreign policy between Democrats and Republicans, highlighting key areas of disagreement.

Paid Leave & Education

Benefits of Paid Leave: New America examines the wide-reaching benefits of paid leave, particularly in the context of the 2024 election.

High-Quality Pre-K Programs: New research confirms the extensive benefits of high-quality pre-K programs, emphasizing their importance for early childhood development.

Universal Pre-K Benefits: Westlaw Today discusses new research confirming the extensive benefits of high-quality pre-K programs. The study highlights improvements in early childhood development, academic performance, and long-term economic outcomes. This research underscores the importance of investing in early education to foster future success.

School Choice and Public Education: The Manhattan Institute explores the theory and practice of school choice, discussing its impact on public education reform.

Criminal Justice

First Step Act’s Impact on Criminal Justice: The Brennan Center analyzes the impact of the First Step Act on criminal justice reform, noting significant changes and ongoing challenges.

Decline in Violent Crime: American City & County reports on a 6% decline in violent crime in major U.S. cities during the first half of 2024, a positive trend in public safety.

Housing

Kamala Harris and Housing: SF Standard explores Kamala Harris’s stance on housing as a presidential candidate, focusing on her YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) approach.

DNC and Housing Policy: Mother Jones covers the Democratic National Convention’s focus on housing policy, featuring speeches by Obama and Harris.

Healthcare

Healthcare at a Crossroads: Memphis Flyer discusses the current state of healthcare in the U.S., focusing on the challenges and potential reforms needed.