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When Chicago cops moonlight, no one is watching

Jonah Newman

May 08, 2017 |

Chicago Reporter |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

There is much to be learned from The Chicago Police Department's failure to regulate moonlighting police officers. Boasting the nation's weakest oversight of documenting its officer's second-shift jobs, the department has seen repercussions both in shooting statistics and tax payer dollars. It's not what Chicago is doing that is a solution, but what others are doing that they should learn from.

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A How-to Book for Wielding Civic Power

David Bornstein

April 05, 2017 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Recognizing a pervasive sense of powerlessness in the US, Eric Liu authored "You’re More Powerful Than You Think: A Citizen’s Guide to Making Change Happen.” By connecting stories of various groups across the political spectrum exercising their civic muscles, he lays out concrete ways that power can be reclaimed by the seemingly powerless citizen.

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The Stanford Professor Who Fought the Tax Lobby

Alex Mayyasi

March 22, 2017 |

Priceonomics |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Sacramento, California

ReadyReturn is the only program in the United States that provides taxpayers with completed tax returns. It’s simple, easy, and has a 99% user satisfaction rate. Who’s not happy? Intuit, H&R Block, and other tax preparers who have fought the California program every step of the way.

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Black Communities, not Trump Executive Orders, Will End “Carnage”

Zenobia Jeffries

February 13, 2017 |

Yes! Magazine |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Communities in Chicago and Detroit work to involve neighbors and law enforcement to join forces in the fight against gun violence in the United States. By creating a genuine connection between local police and the community members they serve, neighborhood can create a non-violent environment.

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How do you fix a broken system? One U.S. city offers a model for handling sex-assault cases

Robyn Doolittle

February 10, 2017 |

The Globe and Mail |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

If not properly investigated, sexual assault claims can be dismissed prematurely, disrupting the justice process and allowing offenders to continue hurting people. In Philadelphia, after an audit revealed more than 2,000 mishandled sexual offense claims in five years, police officers and women’s rights advocates began sitting together once a year to review police files and catch procedural problems. Now 17 years strong, the collaboration continues to hold law enforcement accountable and catch mishandled claims.

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Australia: Has it Cracked the Solution to Curb Smoking?

Fi Glover Henrietta Moore Martha Lane Fox

January 25, 2017 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Australia

Tough laws, taxes, and a public information campaign helped cut Australia’s adult smoking rate in half. The country leads the world in these efforts, including being the first to require plain tobacco packaging in 2012. However, some smokers protest, saying that the government is interfering with their individual rights.

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Gerrymander reform opens up Florida politics

Hedrick Smith

December 01, 2016 |

Sacramento Bee |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Orlando, Florida

For the third election in a row, House Republicans got bonus seats in 2016, through gerrymandering. Thanks to a grassroots citizen movement and computer sleuthing, Florida admitted to breaking the law and has replaced state maps with more competitive, voter-friendly districts.

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How reformers beat the Koch brothers in South Dakota

Hedrick Smith

December 01, 2016 |

Los Angeles Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, South Dakota

Ninety percent of Americans believe that the political system is broken and nothing can be done. Yet in 2016, South Dakota a state with low probability for political reform became the first state in a decade to adopt public funding of future political campaigns all thanks to a grass-roots citizens movement.

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What Caused the Populist Earthquake of 2016

Hedrick Smith

November 28, 2016 |

Reclaim the American Dream |

Video |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Eastsound, Washington

In 2016, the US had a historically large populist backlash against the political establishment. This inspired Hedric Smith to highlight where and how political reform in the US has succeeded or failed in an Orcas Current Lecture Series.

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The Art of the Protest

Tina Rosenberg

November 21, 2016 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

With a major political party taking over the presidency, most governorships, Congress, and state legislatures, the minority party can feel powerless. However, there are effective ways to organize protests including using humor, acting locally, and intense planning strategies.

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