New & NoteworthyNew Municipal Web Sites, Features, Trends and Recent Discoveries
July-September 2006
GASB to Examine Reporting Standards for Government Pension Plans
Regulatory agency plans to examine and possibly enhance financial reporting requirements for state and local government pension plans.... Continue
Internet Gains Popularity for Political and Campaign News
More and more Americans are turning to the Internet for political news or information than ever before, according to a study by the Pew Internet Project.... Continue
Residents Say “Aloha” to Redesigned County Web Site
Progressive leadership and a strong technology team are evidenced by the success of Kauai County’s recent web site redesign. The revamped web site features a new look, along with enhanced content and navigational tools.... Continue
Indicators Point to Positive Trend in NYC Labor Force, Tourism
Population, labor force and tourism trends show New York City’s resilience since 9/11. In fact, the number of visitors to the Big Apple has reached new highs for the past several years.... Continue
Incentives Increase Attendance at Chicago Schools
Chicago Public Schools attendance incentive programs appear to be working. From financial awards to schools to gift cards for families, the incentives appeal to principals, parents and students alike.... Continue
2005 Community Survey Offers Expanded, Enhanced Demographic Data
San Francisco tops the nation when it comes to the population with highest median age and the highest rate of college-educated residents, according to the 2005 American Community Survey, recently released by the U.S. Census Bureau.... Continue
Flagler County Growth in Housing Tops Nation - Again!
Flagler County, Florida once again lead the nation in growth rate in housing units between July 2004-July 2005. The county added 5,000 units - a 14.8 percent increase.... Continue
Consumer Reports Identifies Best and Worst Nursing Homes
Which nursing homes made Consumer Reports’ “Deficient Dozen?” CR’s Nursing Home Quality Monitor contains a state-by-state list of facilities to consider and those to avoid.... Continue
Kansas City Educates Voters, Encourages Participation in Local Election
Hats off to Kansas City for keeping residents informed of recent election results - and for encouraging voter participation by educating residents on the ballot issues.... Continue
SchoolMatters.com: Grading the Schools
Schoolmatters.com, a service of Standard & Poor’s, provides a comprehensive look at school performance and financial measures for elementary and secondary schools and districts across the country.... Continue
County-by-County Breakdown Summarizes California Budget Impact
California’s 2006 State Budget web site provides a comprehensive look at the recently enacted budget, including county-by-county coverage of the allocation of state funds.... Continue
Local Governments Promote Diversity and Inclusion
The National League of Cities “Partnership for Working Toward Inclusive Communities” seeks to promote and celebrate diversity, as well as encourage citizen participation in local government.... Continue
Web Site Assists Beginning Nebraska Farmers
Farming is an important part of the economy in many states. With that in mind, Nebraska has developed a one-stop resource to help beginning farm owners and operators in the state locate financial and practical assistance.... Continue
Arkansas Wellness Program: New Perk for State Employees
State employees are encouraged to participate in the AR Wellness program, an innovative new employee benefit that uses online tools and support to help participants improve their health through weight management.... Continue
Celebrate America’s History With a Visit to “Historic Triangle"
Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown offer many attractions for tourists of all ages and interests. This year marks the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, and celebrations abound!... Continue
Disaster Preparedness: Still Room for Improvement
While cities across the country have worked to enhance disaster preparedness and emergency response plans, overall confidence levels leave room for improvement, according to a new survey by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.... Continue
Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco Vie for 2016 Olympics
The U.S. Olympic Committee has chosen Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco as the top three contenders for the 2016 Olympics, should the U.S. submit a bid to host the games. Houston and Philadelphia were eliminated from the running.... Continue
Boston Web Site Sports New Look, Enhanced Features
City podcasts, searchable property assessment data, detailed neighborhood information are all just the beginning ... Boston’s new web site is packed with great content organized in an intuitive, easy-to-use format.... Continue
New Project Financings Up Despite Overall Drop in Muni Bond Issuance
For the first six months of 2006, overall municipal bond issuance was down, but at the same time, some sectors saw an increase in activity. Issuance for new project financings was up 15 percent, while housing bond issuance had the largest growth in total dollar amount.... Continue
Elk Grove, California Fastest Growth Rate in U.S.
Elk Grove, California was the fastest-growing city in the U.S. between July 2004 and 2005, according to Census Bureau estimates. The City has been able to accommodate this rapid growth through prudent planning.... Continue
Interstate System Site Celebrates 50 Years of Transportation History
In commemoration of the U.S. Interstate Highway System’s 50th anniversary, the Federal Highway Administration web site is hosting a web site full of facts, history and statistics. A must-see web site for anyone interested in learning more about the impact of the system on our nation’s economy.... Continue
The Scoop on Ice Cream History, Trivia
July is National Ice Cream Month ... Celebrate by learning some fun facts and trivia about this summer treat - Test your ice cream history IQ by taking the quiz at the end of this article!... Continue
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