Political Reading Recap
NEW Articles for the week: Basic Income, Housing, Democracy, School Choice, Crime Reduction and Foreign Policy
Welcome back, esteemed readers! As we embark on another week of insightful discourse, I’m thrilled to present a fresh collection of articles that have caught my attention in policy, innovation, and societal progress.
This week’s edition of our newsletter, akin to a mosaic of ideas, brings together 18 pieces that span a spectrum of critical topics:
Basic Income: We venture into discussions about the potential of basic income programs, with Minnesota possibly joining the ranks of states exploring this social innovation. We’ll look at the outcomes from Seattle and King County’s guaranteed income initiatives and hear from experts unraveling the complexities of universal basic income. A heartwarming story from San Antonio showcases the personal impact of such programs.
Housing: The narrative of a YIMBY folk hero emerges, symbolizing the grassroots push for more inclusive housing policies. Meanwhile, legislative updates from Minnesota provide a glimpse into the state’s approach to housing reform with a land value tax.
Democracy: We examine the winner-take-all political system and its implications for representative democracy. The City of Dallas’s consideration of ranked-choice voting offers a case study in electoral reform efforts.
School Choice: The debate around school choice and its financial implications takes center stage, with Arkansas’s approach to education entrepreneurship offering food for thought.
Crime Reduction: We explore studies debunking myths about immigration and crime, delve into the Justice Department’s strategies for community violence prevention, and analyze the link between alcohol availability and crime rates in Baltimore.
Foreign Policy: Our international lens focuses on the U.S.'s stance on potential Iranian retaliation, a detailed look at military support for Israel, the significance of U.S.-China military talks in Hawaii, and the strategic implications of the U.S.-Japan-Philippine summit for the Indo-Pacific vision.
As we navigate these diverse narratives, I encourage you to engage with the content and share your perspectives. If there are stories or topics you’d like to see featured in future editions, please send them to me @ JonMunitz on Twitter or comment below. Together, let’s foster a community of informed and active citizens. Here’s to another week of compelling reading!
Basic Income
Could Minnesota be among the first states to offer a basic income program?
Guaranteed income programs in Washington continue to see positive results
Universal Basic Income: The Truth Explained by a Top Expert
Cash isn’t the only thing guaranteed income programs can deliver
Housing
Taxing land vs. the buildings on it at core of House bill
Democracy
How Winner Take All Politics Limits Democracy
City of Dallas Considers Ranked-Choice Voting
School Choice
School choice need not mean an expensive windfall for the rich
In Arkansas, School Choice Is Encouraging Education Entrepreneurship
Crime Reduction
No, migrants are not driving a surge in violent crime as Trump claims
Justice Department announces nearly $80 million to help communities fight violent crime
Closing Bars Early Reduced Murders by 40% in One US Neighborhood
Foreign Policy
The situation could escalate’: US braces for possible Iranian retaliation after Israeli strike
A closer look at U.S. military support for Israel
US, China hold military talks in Hawaii
U.S.-Japan-Philippine summit will advance shared Indo-Pacific vision