ASC's Intersections Newsletter — January 18th, 2024
Nora's Note
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. ASC honored Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a day of service in our communities. Staff members cleared leaves and waste from Highland Park, Branch Brook Park, Maria Hernandez Park, the Bronx River Pathway, the Park Slope GreenSpace and Long Beach and assisted with food drives, painting, and supplies packing in Beacon, Fairfield, West Chester, Irvington and more. Dr. King’s work against racial segregation and unequal treatment continues to resonate heavily today, laying the groundwork for the modern environmental justice movement in the United States. We look forward to continuing to honor Dr. King’s legacy as we serve our communities throughout 2024 and beyond.
Transportation
Local transit agencies mimicking Uber and Lyft are seeing big ridership gains. As transit agencies across Minnesota work to rebuild their ridership to pre-COVID numbers, some are seeing significant increases from microtransit operations. Microtransit, which allows agencies to fill in service gaps by offering riders on-demand calls, has grown in popularity across the state. Greater Minneapolis’ SouthWest Prime microtransit system saw a 146% increase from its August 2019 ridership in August 2023. Read more to learn about recent funding for microtransit in the state. (Source: Minnesota Reformer)
Guardian: US to invest $1bn in plan to move from diesel to electric school buses
StreetsBlog NYC: New Jersey Lawmakers Pass Major Reforms to Combat Temporary License Plate Fraud
Mass Transit Mag: New York Gov. Hochul outlines proposal to improve access to transit in NYC
Climate
A huge battery has replaced Hawaii’s last coal plant. Hawaii's newest battery is now operational, matching the power output of the state's recently closed final coal plant. Hawaii's achievement in using batteries at this scale marks an important step in their energy transition. The battery gets the most out of existing renewable infrastructure by capturing surplus clean electricity generated during times of heavy wind or strong and consistent sun that would otherwise go to waste. Read more on how renewable energy systems can match some of the stability and reliability of fossil fuels. (Source: Canary Media)
Inside Climate News: New Research Explores a Restorative Climate Path for the Earth
Gothamist: Students say NYC school buildings need a climate change
New Scientist: Microturbines can generate electricity from drinking water pipes
Economic Development
Labor Department’s new rule redefines independent contractors. The U.S. Department of Labor has issued a final rule revising the Fair Labor Standards Act, making it more challenging for companies to classify workers as independent contractors. The rule will take effect on March 11, 2024, employing a multifactor framework to analyze the worker-employer relationship. More than 55,000 comments were received during the notice-and-comment period, which also included a series of listening sessions. Read more on how the new rule may protect workers from misclassification and ensure fair wages and benefits. (Source: Smart Cities Dive)
The New Yorker: The U.S. Is Reaping the Benefits of Low Unemployment
StreetsBlog: Lifting Street Vendor Permit Cap Could Raise $17 Million
Washington Post: House lawmakers release bipartisan paid family leave plan
Digital
Digital Tools See Major Uptake in Justice and Public Safety. As the demand for efficient and technologically advanced solutions in the justice and public safety sector grows, digital tools are experiencing a significant surge in adoption. Agencies are increasingly leveraging digital platforms to enhance their operations, streamline processes, and improve overall public safety outcomes. Rising integration of data analytics, artificial intelligence, and cloud-based technologies are being implemented to bolster law enforcement efforts. Read more for specific examples and broader implications of this digital transformation. (Source: GovTech)
About Arch Street Communications
At ASC, we help government agencies, corporations and nonprofit organizations across the globe communicate issues that affect people’s lives. We’re the bold, nimble, women-owned small business (WBE) that has supported strategic communications programs to build stronger communities for 30 years.
Ready to find the “simple truth” solutions to build a better future? We want to hear from you! Get in touch to learn how our signature approach can work for you.
Subscribe to Arch Street Communications' Newsletter Intersections
