County Government Still Waiting for Trump Campaign Reimbursement
Candidate Donald Trump speaking in May, 2016 in Lynden, Wash. (AP Photo / Elaine Thompson)
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Also in our State and Local Daily Digest: Why GE chose to relocate its HQ to Boston; ACLU pledges to fight Iowa’s new voter ID law; and this California city manager sweeps his city’s streets on weekends.
REIMBURSEMENTS | Whatcom County, Washington is still waiting for a $53,000 payment from President Trump’s campaign. Trump held a rally there about a year ago in the town of Lynden that drew thousands of supporters and hundreds of protesters. The County Council sent a request to the campaign in September, asking to be reimbursed for security costs. But they have not heard back. “We asked,” Council member Barbara Brenner said. “He’s either at some point going to do it or not, I don’t know.” [The Bellingham Herald]
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | "It was the obvious choice, Boston offers so much," said Ann Klee, General Electric vice president, of the company’s decision to site its Innovation Point campus in Bean Town. "A great innovation ecosystem, a huge talent pool, great leadership, wonderful quality of life, great airport -- it was the perfect choice for GE." Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Mayor Marty Walsh quietly lured GE to the city from Connecticut, hailing its coming as another step toward making Boston a “global player.” [State House News Service via The Lowell Sun]
ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION | On Friday, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad signed a bill into law that will require the state’s voters to show identification at the polls. The legislation would also shorten Iowa’s early voting, and would eliminate the checkbox option that allows people to easily cast a straight-party vote. Republicans claim these changes are necessary to maintain the integrity of elections, while Democrats argue this measure will work to suppress the voices of the poor, minorities and the elderly. The American Civil Liberties Union, which fought the bill says it is now considering a legal battle to stop the law from being enacted. [The Des Moines Register]
CLIMATE CHANGE | The California Public Employees’ Retirement System was among over 150 other investors that signed onto a letter urging nations around the world to stay committed to the Paris climate accord. It’s uncertain whether President Trump will seek to pull the U.S. out of the pact, which sets targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions. “We think it’s really important that the financial markets speak loud and clear on the need for this framework,” said Anne Simpson, the investment director for sustainability at CalPERS. [The Sacramento Bee]
CITY HALLS | Jim Bergman is now in his second week on the job as city manager of Arroyo Grande, California, in San Luis Obispo County. Bergman was selected for the post in March and started work on May 1. On weekends, it’s possible to find him cleaning up trash on the city’s streets. “That’s when you really learn your community,” Bergman said. “When you are out walking, you really have a chance to see things. I’m trying not to just stay in my office.” Arroyo Grande is located about 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles and has roughly 18,000 residents. The city government has had difficulties in recent years with scandals and management departures. [The Tribune]
LOCAL GOVERNMENT | The latest jobs statistics in Alaska show the the state has been shedding jobs over the last year. Oil, construction, state government and business services sectors all saw decreases in employment. But, amazingly enough, local government is among the only three areas in the entire Alaskan economy that saw growth in 2016. "It definitely is surprising," said Conor Bell, an economist with the Labor Department. "We're seeing these significant losses in state government; you would expect local government to follow suit." Part of the explanation for that growth is tied to Alaska’s somewhat loose definition of “local government” which includes tribal governments, school districts and municipalities. [Alaska Dispatch News]
EVACUATION | Annapolis, Maryland emergency personnel evacuated several buildings near Main Street, including Annapolis Elementary School, in search of a suspected natural gas leak. Windy conditions have made finding the source of the leak difficult, after residents complained of a foul odor—strongest near the school. [Capital Gazette]
ENVIRONMENT | Chesapeake Bay saw fish populations improve in 2016, but it’s still only at 54 percent on its Health Index—compared to 53 percent in 2015 and 50 percent in 2014. U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland credited the federal government’s support for the improvement, but support for the estuary may vanish under President Trump, who’s proven no friend to the environment with recent executive orders. [The Sentinel]
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