Topics · CivicFM

Housing

Affordable housing 1 Income-restricted homes, housing funds, inclusionary rules, and housing targets.
Homelessness 2 Shelters, outreach, encampments, interim and supportive housing, and services for people without a home.
Renters and tenants Rent control, eviction protections, rental registries, and landlords.
Housing supply How many homes get built: accessory dwelling units, density, and streamlined approvals.

Zoning and plans 2 General and specific plans, zoning codes and changes to them, and rules for what can be built where.
Development projects 2 A particular project: its permits, variances, appeals, design review, and environmental review.
Historic preservation Landmarks, historic districts, and demolitions.
Code enforcement Building and property violations, inspections, and nuisances.

Policing 1 Police and sheriff's departments: staffing, budgets, policies, and crime.
Police oversight Civilian oversight, use of force, complaints, and misconduct.
Surveillance technology 1 Drones, license plate readers, cameras, facial recognition, and policies on military equipment.
Fire and paramedics Fire departments, paramedics, ambulances, and response times.
Emergency preparedness 1 Readiness for earthquakes, fires, floods, and heat: plans, evacuation, and alerts.
Disaster recovery 1 Rebuilding after a fire, flood, or earthquake, and help for the people it hit.
Jails and justice Jails, probation, courts, prosecutors, public defenders, and reentry.
Violence prevention Gun violence, violence interruption, and community safety programs.

Street safety Traffic deaths and injuries, speed limits, crosswalks, and traffic calming.
Public transit Buses, rail, paratransit, fares, and service.
Biking and walking Bike lanes, sidewalks, trails, and pedestrian plans.
Parking Parking rules, meters, permits, and enforcement.
Streets and public works Street repair, bridges, sewers, storm drains, and capital projects.
Airports and aviation Airports, helicopters, flight paths, and aircraft noise.

Water Water supply, rates, quality, conservation, and drought.
Energy Electric and gas utilities, rates, power sources, and outages.
Climate and sustainability Climate plans, emissions, electrification, and extreme heat.
Trash and recycling Trash, recycling, composting, and street cleaning.
Parks and trees Parks, recreation centers, open space, and the urban forest.
Pollution Air, water, and soil pollution, toxic sites, noise, and environmental justice.
Animals Animal shelters, animal control, and wildlife.
Phone and internet service 1 Broadband, landlines, cell towers, and utility lines.

Public health Disease, vaccination, health inspections, and health departments.
Mental health and addiction Mental health care, crisis response, substance use, and overdoses.
Health care Public hospitals, clinics, and health coverage.
Children and families 1 Child welfare, foster care, child care, and services for families.
Seniors and disability Aging services, accessibility, and disability rights.
Food and public benefits Food assistance, cash aid, and help getting benefits.
Immigrants Services for immigrants, immigration enforcement, and legal aid.

Budgets 1 Annual and mid-year budgets, deficits, and reserves.
Taxes and fees Sales, property, and parcel taxes, and fees for services.
Bonds and debt 1 Bonds, borrowing, and special financing districts.
Contracts and grants 1 Contracts, purchases, and vendors, and grants the government gives or gets.
Pay and pensions Public employees' salaries, pensions, and retiree benefits.
Audits Audits, inspectors general, and financial reports.

Economic development 1 Attracting business, business districts, and incentives for development.
Small business Help for small businesses, their permits, and street vending.
Jobs and wages 1 Workforce programs, local hiring, minimum wage, and labor standards.
Events, film, and tourism 1 Special events, film permits, conventions, and tourism.
Cannabis Cannabis rules, licenses, and taxes.

Elections and ballot measures 1 Elections, voting, redistricting, and positions on ballot measures.
Ethics and meeting rules 2 Codes of conduct, ethics, public comment rules, transparency, and how meetings are run.
Appointments and leadership 1 Choosing officers, appointing commissioners, and hiring or reviewing top officials.
Public employees 4 Staffing, hiring, rehiring retirees, union contracts, and labor relations in government.
State and federal policy 3 Positions on state and federal bills, lobbying, and dealings with other governments.
Lawsuits and settlements Litigation, settlements, and legal matters in closed session.
Government technology Software, data, cybersecurity, and online services.

Schools and education Schools, school safety, and education programs.
Youth Youth programs, recreation, and jobs for young people.
Libraries Libraries and what they offer.
Arts and culture Arts, museums, public art, festivals, and cultural heritage.
Civil rights and equity 1 Discrimination, equity programs, and the history and recognition of communities.