Avoiding the Curse of the Oil-Rich Nations

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/13/avoiding-the-curse-of-the-oil-rich-nations

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

13 February 2013

Text / 800-1500 Words

Alaska has created a way for residents to financially benefit from the state's dependence on oil revenues. By giving residents a yearly portion of the revenue, the state has been able to see positive effects from an often conflict-ridden industry.

Can Free College Save American Cities?

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/04/kalamazoo-the-promise-save-american-cities-105366.html#.VYmmCflViko

Cassie Walker Burke

Politico

3 April 2014

Text / Over 3000 Words

Huge numbers of students lack the chance to go to college because of financial problems. Recently, Kalamazoo schools received more funding allowing them to have the chance to help and pay for students to then go to college and receive a higher education.

Can Government Play Moneyball?

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/16/can-government-play-moneyball

David Bornstein

The New York Times

16 April 2014

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The pressure is on for the federal government to spend tax money more wisely. Evidence-based policy making is gaining in popularity as a way for the government to spend tax money wisely. While not quite as flashy or exciting as past ways, this has a proven track record of positive impact.

Living-wage' movement growing in region

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/wage-523783-living-long.html

Margot Roosevelt

Orange County Register

1 September 2013

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In the past five years, as federal and state minimum wage levels failed to keep pace with the cost of living, and as the recession took its toll, the living wage movement has accelerated. Across the United States, more than 125 cities and counties have enacted ordinances or passed ballot initiatives to lift the wages of the working poor.

The Benefits of Cash Without Conditions

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/the-benefits-of-cash-without-conditions

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

28 August 2013

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Conditional cash transfers – giving the poor money if they do things that will make their children less poor, such as keep them in school – are the world’s most successful and widespread social program. Could it be possible, however, that the conditions aren’t necessary – just giving the poor money works just as well? In some circumstances, the answer seems to be yes.

Out of Prison, Into a Vicious Circle of Debt

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/09/out-of-prison-into-a-vicious-circle-of-debt

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

9 June 2011

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Many offenders get out of jail owing hundreds or thousands of dollars in court and parole fees but face barriers to financing and job acquisition, sticking them in a punitive, vicious cycle of debt and arrest. A program called the Clapham Set, perhaps paired with conditional cash transfers - may be a solution, as it erases fees for felons who complete rehab and job training upon release.

In the Long War on Poverty, Small Victories That Matter

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/08/in-the-long-war-on-poverty-small-victories-that-matter

David Bornstein

The New York Times

8 January 2014

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A panoply of responses to poverty has emerged to address poverty in the United States and abroad. The responses share in three key tactics: Measuring impact, paying for success, and collaboration.

Preparing for Disaster by Betting Against It

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/12/preparing-for-disaster-by-betting-against-it

Georgia Levenson Keohane

The New York Times

12 February 2014

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In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, necessity has bred an interesting kind of financial invention for the New York MTA: the world’s first “catastrophe” bond - a reinsurance for the insurer - designed to protect public transportation infrastructure, specifically against storm surge. These bonds privatize risk for public gain, creating a kind of tool that may protect economic development against all kinds of natural and man-made disasters around the world.

Education lessons from Maine, New Hampshire

https://digital.vpr.net/post/education-lessons-maine-new-hampshire

Jane Lindholm

Patti Daniels

Vermont Public Radio

7 April 2015

Radio / Over 15 Minutes

As Vermont struggles to create legislation regulating school district management and financial efficiency, the state looks to models in Maine and New Hampshire for guidance. In Maine, school districts have tried to save money and resources through consolidation; in New Hampshire, officials have reworked the way schooling is financed altogether.

Minneapolis uses citywide plan to reduce youth violence

http://archive.jsonline.com/news/crime/minneapolis-uses-citywide-plan-to-reduce-youth-violence-b99537782z1-316820251.html

Ashley Luthern

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

18 July 2015

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After a rampant problem of violence among youths, Minneapolis enacted a violence-prevention plan which focused on collective action and stemming the causes at their source, resulting in nonfatal shootings involving youths drop by 72%. Now, other cities with similar problems are trying to follow suit.