Paterson Worries About ‘Cops’ Filming; Amarillo Battles Dysfunctional Image
Connecting state and local government leaders
Also in our State and Local Daily Digest: West Virginia governor vetoes budget; Miami Beach leaders vs. ‘sloppy science’; and dog tag controversy in Massachusetts.
PATERSON, NEW JERSEY
CIVIC IDENTITIES | The televisions show “Cops” is aiming to film in Paterson next month, raising concerns among some officials there that broadcasting the city’s crime incidents could hurt its image. “They choose cities with high crime, that’s how they get their ratings,” said Councilman Alex Mendez during a public meeting on Tuesday night. His remarks came after Paterson Police Director, Jerry Speziale, explained the show’s plans to film police officers working in Paterson. Speziale responded saying: “That’s not true,” and added, “You think Green Bay has high crime? They’re in Green Bay right now.” [Paterson Press via NorthJersey.com]
AMARILLO, TEXAS
BALLPARK | City leaders worry that ongoing recent negative press about municipal dysfunction may cost Amarillo its bid for a AA baseball team and downtown ballpark. That would leave downtown with an empty lot, and while City Council approved policies to improve City Hall’s work environment in December, tensions have risen once again over a vacant seat. The mayor recently walked out of an executive session. [Amarillo Globe-News]
CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA
STATE BUDGET | Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin vetoed the Republican-led legislature’s savings-reliant budget. He wants the state House to approve a deal he struck with the Senate to increase the cigarette tax by 65 cents, estimated to raise about $100 million in additional revenue. This marks lawmakers’ third attempt at passing a budget with a government shutdown looming July 1. [The Associated Press via The Free Lance-Star]
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
MARIJUANA | A ballot measure that would have imposed a 5 percent business tax on future indoor marijuana growing operations in Sacramento failed to pass on Tuesday. Measure Y, as the initiative was known, needed two-thirds approval, but garnered about 65 percent of the vote. The initiative was forward looking. As it stands Sacramento does not yet have regulations for licensing commercial marijuana cultivation facilities in the city. [Sacramento Bee]
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA
WATER QUALITY | Miffed over a study that described bacteria from human waste getting flushed into Biscayne Bay during so-called king tide events, leaders here have lashed out at the researchers behind the study. Mayor Philip Levine and the city commission have called on the city attorney to look into ways to shield Miami Beach from “sloppy science.” One researcher, who Levine criticized last month said: “They have such a serious problem and I understand that no elected official wants this as their prime focus. They all have other dreams for our community. But this is the reality that we have to deal with openly and honestly.” [Miami Herald]
ROCKLAND, MASSACHUSETTS
DOG TAGS | Some pet owners in this town south of Boston are upset that a new online registration system doesn’t allow for the traditional practice of reserving and requesting specific tag numbers for their dogs. “People are real angry,” Town Clerk Donna Shortall said. “I had a gentleman who came in who was beside himself because we had given away his tag number.” Previously the system for registering the town’s roughly 2,400 dogs involved an Excel spreadsheet and index cards. The new online interface was seen as a way to save time and money. Shortfall said she was caught off-guard by the blowback. “The dogs certainly don’t stand at the dog park and compare numbers,” she said, “or feel less loved.” [Boston Globe]
DETROIT, MICHIGAN
HIGHER EDUCATION | Lawmakers may have passed a budget with a 2.9 percent increase in higher education funding, but university presidents aren’t pleased that number is less than the 4.3 percent increase Gov. Rick Snyder championed. Some universities consider the funding to be in a holding pattern, but some lawmakers argue they can always raise tuition. "If the state were to go back and provide the same funding that they did in previous generations, then the tuition would be closer to what it was in previous generations, plus some inflation,” said University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel.” [MLive.com]
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