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Start Of A Trend? Another Republican Endorses Campaign Finance Reform

Rep. Thomas Petri (R-Wis.) on Thursday introduced legislation to provide tax credits and deductions for political donors making small contributions.

In the media

Report Questions Assumptions Behind Detroit Bankruptcy

A new report says declining revenues and bad Wall Street deals—not out-of-control spending or generous pension benefits--contributed the most to Detroit’s bankruptcy.

The report from the left-leaning think tank Demos also accuses Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr of attacking the problem in “inappropriate” ways that are “not rooted in fact.”

In the media
Sarah Cwiek
White houses rooftops

Four More Reasons to Hate the Suburbs

We should favor herding Americans back to the cities through whatever policy measures will achieve that goal.

Blog
David Callahan

Why Boomers are Bailing on the 'Burbs

There's been a lot of debate lately about whether Americans are starting to favor cities over suburbs in significant numbers. Every city I visit -- most recently, Lincoln, Nebraska -- I see new housing going up in downtown areas, and it's said that Millennials prefer the walkability and diversity of urban life.
Blog
David Callahan

Wall Street, Not Workers To Blame For Detroit's Bankruptcy Crisis, Says Demos Report

Wall Street bankers, bad decisions made by elected officials and the Great Recession should be blamed for contributing to Detroit's fiscal crisis -- not the pensions of workers and retirees.

In the media
Ashley Woods

Here's How Walmart Could Pay Workers a Decent Wage Without Raising Prices

Walmart has gotten a lot of bad press this week over news of an Ohio store holding a food drive for its own workers, who were unable to buy Thanksgiving groceries on the retail giant's paltry wages. The store managers deserve credit for their thoughtfulness, but wouldn't it be better if Walmart simply paid its workers enough to feed themselves?

In the media
Josh Harkinson

Wal-Mart Employees Deserve Better Than Thanksgiving Handouts

Thanksgiving time at Wal-Mart is the public relations gift that keeps on giving for the labor movement.

In the media
Matthew Fleischer

Pension Debt Did Not Cause Detroit Bankruptcy, Report Says

Declining revenue, a drop in employment and large, risky Wall Street deals are the real causes of Detroit’s bankruptcy, according to a report by Demos, a liberal public policy organization.

Pension debt gets a bad rap in Detroit, but it isn’t the true cause of Detroit’s financial problems, said Wallace Turbeville, author of the Demos report.

In the media
Paula Aven Gladych

Report: Detroit's Pension Fund Liabilities Not to Blame for Bankruptcy

Pension fund liabilities are not to blame for Detroit's descent into Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection, according to a report released Wednesday by Demos, a public policy advocacy group.

Detroit's bankruptcy was caused by a decrease in tax revenue due to a population decline and long-term unemployment, “not an increase in the obligations to fund pensions,” said Wallace C. Turbeville, a Demos senior fellow, and the author of “The Detroit Bankruptcy” report.

In the media
Christine Williamson