Weekly Links: After three deaths, is Atlanta taking a cue from Athens on e-scooters? Plus, just a reminder that Georgia and Florida still have a Water Wars case pending in the US Supreme Court (this story won’t end).
Should Georgia Pay People to Keep Their Yards Wild?
Weekly Links: Minnesota will pay people to make their yards more pollinator-friendly, the Supreme Court will decide if Georgia can copyright its laws, and the southeastern hurricane shield may be coming to end.
Georgia Tenants Can Now Safely Report Illegal Housing
Weekly Links: Georgia becomes the 42nd state to ban retaliatory evictions while NOAA reclassified last October’s Hurricane Michael to make it only the 4th category 5 hurricane to hit the U.S.
Tax Uber to Pay for Transit? In Georgia?
Weekly Links: Georgia lawmakers are getting serious about taxing Uber and Lyft to pay for transit. Also, when more women are included in the map-making process, maps end up better reflecting communities. And, Oregon imposes the first state-wide cap on rent increases.
The High Cost of Flooded Parking (and Sidewalks)
Weekly Links: Using tweets and parking meter data, researchers found a high economic cost of ever increasing “sunny day” flood events. Plus, we’re again reminded that ridesharing causes more congestion. And, the Supreme Court unanimously strikes a blow to civil asset forfeiture.
Here’s Why All New Apartment Buildings Look the Same
Weekly Links: the long story of building codes, fires, wood-based construction, Texas Doughnuts, superblocks, and the other oddities that created the uniform look of apartment buildings. And, a denial of a rezoning request has led to a landfill fire in South Fulton that’s been burning for 5 months.
Georgia Lawmakers Look to Ban Offshore Drilling
Weekly Links: Led by coastal lawmakers, a bi-partisan group in the Georgia Legislature pushes for a ban on offshore drilling. And, western US cities may soon look a little more like New York. Plus, new poll numbers show a minority of Gwinnett residents oppose MARTA expansion – unfortunately those people are most likely to get their voices heard.
While Athens Bans E-Scooters, Atlanta Opts for $12,000 Permits
Weekly Links: In the ongoing regulatory wars over e-scooters, Atlanta imposes mostly permit fees. And, during the government shutdown farmers must make important projections without critical weather and crop data. Plus, the Supreme Court is fine with Exxon being forced to release documents about its climate change deception.