Greetings, new & loyal readers! Welcome to this week’s edition of our Political Reading Recap, where I share with you all the articles I read this week that I think are worth your time.
This week I’m sharing 33 news stories and opinion pieces covering:
Basic Income & Welfare
Democracy
Supporting Parents & Kids
Housing
Violence Prevention & Guns
Nuclear Energy
Biden & Trump
In Basic Income & Welfare, we explore the transformative potential of unconditional cash transfers and the real-world impacts of such policies on communities from San Francisco to San Antonio. We’ll examine the arguments for and against Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a response to the challenges posed by AI and automation, and consider innovative approaches to social welfare that are reshaping the conversation around poverty and inequality.
Turning to Democracy, we reflect on the mechanisms that can enhance or hinder the democratic process. From the debate over STAR voting to the constitutionality of ballot designs, we delve into the ongoing efforts to refine the systems that underpin our collective decision-making.
For Supporting Parents & Kids, we highlight initiatives to nurture the next generation, from universal preschool programs to comprehensive family leave policies. These pieces underscore investing in early care and education as foundational to a thriving society.
In Housing, we navigate the cross-ideological alliances forming around YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) movements and the legislative battles over housing reform. These discussions illuminate the complex interplay between policy, community, and the quest for affordable living spaces.
The Violence Prevention & Guns section brings to light innovative strategies for crime reduction and the contentious debates surrounding gun legislation. We confront the stark realities of violence in our communities and the search for solutions that can bring about lasting peace.
Our focus on Nuclear Energy delves into the geopolitics of power generation, the race for nuclear dominance, and the small-scale reactors that could revolutionize our energy landscape. These articles probe the intricate balance between technological advancement, environmental stewardship, and energy security.
In International News & Foreign Policy, we traverse the globe, examining the shifting dynamics of U.S. foreign policy and the political currents shaping Latin America. These narratives provide a window into the complex interdependencies that define our world.
Lastly, in Biden & Trump, we dissect the latest developments in American politics, from election integrity to fiscal policy. These pieces offer insights into the evolving legacy of two presidencies that continue to influence the national discourse.
If you have stories that you think I should be featuring in upcoming weeks, please leave them as a comment below or send them to me @ JonMunitz on Twitter.
Basic Income & Welfare
What can America learn from Kenya about fighting poverty?
Money Talks, San Francisco Nonprofit Proves Cash Is King in Homelessness Fight with UBI Success
Bill looks to create guaranteed income program in Minnesota
Guaranteed Income to Grow Ann Arbor
San Antonio touts success of guaranteed basic income pilot program that sent out $5,000
El Monte guaranteed income pilot program shows signs of success
IS THE RISE OF AI THE BEST ARGUMENT FOR UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME?
America's biggest universal basic mobility experiment is taking place in L.A.
The Case for Universal Basic Food
20 Countries that Spend the Most on Welfare
Democracy
STAR voting brings civility back to politics
What Can Improve Democracy? Ideas from people in 24 countries, in their own words
New Jersey Attorney General Says State Primary Ballot Design is Unconstitutional
Sharyl Attkisson: Is Ranked-Choice, Instant Runoff Voting Fair?
Supporting Parents & Kids
Louisville launching five-year plan for universal preschool
Guaranteeing Comprehensive, Inclusive Paid Family and Medical Leave and Sick Time
Governors Are Calling for Investments in Early Care and Education
‘Just a mum’: pregnant women and working parents feel overlooked and undervalued in the workplace
Housing
Cross-Ideological YIMBY Coalition Defies Increasing Polarization—So Far
Arizona governor vetoes bill that some lawmakers hoped would help fix housing crisis
Violence Prevention & Guns
Detroit’s ‘ShotStopper’ program shows promising results in crime reduction
Delaware Senate passes 'permit to purchase' handgun bill along party lines
Outraged by police violence? Everyday gun violence is outrageous, too
Nuclear Energy
U.S. can and should dominate world’s nuclear power resurgence
China’s Nuclear Energy Expansion Is Getting Even Faster
The U.S. Is Betting Big on Small Nuclear Reactors
What's in store for Europe's nuclear energy?
International News & Foreign Policy
Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns as law and order collapses
US companies to announce investments of over $1 billion in the Philippines
Are Both U.S. Parties Divided on Foreign Policy?
A Revolution in American Foreign Policy
Biden & Trump
FACT SHEET: The President’s Budget Lowers Costs for the American People
The Trump Effort to Infiltrate Voting Systems Was Worse Than We Knew