city budget

This is the All Local morning update for Saturday, November 18th, 2023.

This week Authentically Detroit talks FOIA, right-to-work and equitable access to higher education!

Donna and Orlando sat down with Danielle North of Degree Forward plus Dara Klein and Lawrence Hood of Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences (DAAS). The group discusses Degree Forward and DAAS’ new partnership providing community members with equitable access to higher education and removing barriers that prevent people’s ability to take advantage of these opportunities. 

For more information on the partnership, click here.

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT PAID $32 MILLION IN LEGAL SETTLEMENTS. HOW MUCH MORE CAN THE CITY AFFORD?

RIGHT TO WORK BATTLE LOOMS IN MICHIGAN: BUSINESSES FEAR REPEAL BY DEMOCRATS

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Learn about the latest in local public affairs in about the time it takes for a coffee break! Brian Callanan of Seattle Channel and Kevin Schofield of Seattle City Council Insight discuss the Seattle City Council's move to change "single family" zoning to "neighborhood residential," and what that means for the upcoming Comprehensive Plan process. Also, the vote to recall Councilmember Kshama Sawant will be on the ballot in District 3 in December, and new budget priorities are emerging after with the Mayor's September proposal. Plus: the crispy-vs.-chewy chocolate chip cookie debate rages on. If you like this podcast, please support us on Patreon! 

Jimmy is out so Tony joins the pod again to riff with EJ about several important stories that have happened in the last two weeks. Tarrant County will go through an election audit. The city budget is finalized. Redistricting is on the way. Who will get an additional seat? EJ and Tony share their perspective.

District Map and Income Data: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19L9ZaiCUaxAbyx3Qnvm7gOcUzzqv1Dp-/view?usp=sharing

STORIES MENTIONED:

$1,000 Vaccination Bonus:
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/coronavirus/article254464678.html

County Commissioner Salaries:
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article254418663.html#:~:text=Tarrant%20County%20commissioners%20approve%20raises%20for%20elected%20officials%2C%20including%20themselves&text=The%20Tarrant%20County%20commissioners%20on,temporarily%20derailed%20the%20public%20meeting.Tarrant

County Election:
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article254494317.html

Mayor Parker/City Budget:
https://fortworthreport.org/2021/09/23/listen-mayor-not-supportive-of-police-oversight-and-accountability-board-yet/

Latino Representation in City Council:
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/crossroads-lab/article253377688.html

This week we have a jammed pack episode with important updates about the city budget and the proposed 2022 bond package.

EJ is joined by Tony who works in teacher recruitment and is a friend of the pod. Tony provides a great perspective on what we should expect as Delta, Abbott, and federal funds impact our schools this year for all very different reasons.

City Council Information: (https://fortworthreport.org/2021/07/25/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-city-of-fort-worths-budget/)

Attend virtual town hall meetings in the coming months, contact your City Council members or speak during the budget hearings at 7 p.m. Aug. 24 and Sept. 14 at City Hall, 200 Texas St., or online. 

To speak at the budget hearings, register by 5 p.m. the day of the hearing. Register by clicking the speaker/comment card link on the agenda posted on fortworthtexas.gov. You also may register by calling the City Secretary’s Office at 817-392-6150 or 817-392-6150, faxing the request to 817-392-6196 or completing the speaker card in-person at the City Secretary’s Office at City Hall. 

You may speak between three to six minutes, depending on how many people you represent.

Participate in the 2022 Bond Program: (https://fortworthreport.org/2021/07/26/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-city-of-fort-worths-2022-proposed-bond-package/)

Go to one of the city’s open houses this month to learn more and ask staff questions. The open houses are at:

• 6 p.m. Thursday, July 29, at Future City Hall, 100 Energy Way
• 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, at Dunbar High School, 5700 Ramey Ave.
• 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, at Heritage Church of Christ, 4201 Heritage Trace Parkway
• 10 am. Saturday, Aug. 14, at R.D. Evans Community Center Gym, 3242 Lackland Road
• 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, at Doxology Church, 4805 Arborlawn Drive

Resources:

• Daily News - More state foundation aid funding for the next three years
• Daily News - Parental consent required for state tests in NYC schools this year
• Gotham Gazette - NYC Dept. of Education overspending on charter school rent and underspending on matching funds to public schools
• President Biden’s proposal on increasing federal aid to schools
• Class Size Matters/NYC Kids PAC on how additional federal/state funds should be spent
• Class Size Matters' petition

This month's episode of Convo Around Cove Communications Coordinator Tiffanie Reynolds talks with Finance Director Marlena Guthrie all about the City Budget. Guthrie explains the budget process, breaks down the three different parts of the budget, and where the yearly budget can be found on the City's website, www.greencovesprings.com. 

Intro and Outro Music: On the Verge by Joseph McDade