"The Pulse", the Citizens League issue scan looks at topics of interest to members of the Citizens League (www.citizensleague.net)

 
Energy and Environment. World’s Largest Wind Farm Proposed for Iowa. Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and MidAmerican Energy Co. will unveil plans to develop the largest land-based wind farm in the world. The $323 million project would be built in northwest or north-central Iowa and will have 180 to 200 wind turbines generating 310 megawatts. The full story may be read at: http://www.dmregister.com/news/stories/c5903220/20828482.html. (353)
posted by Lyle at 12:02 PM

 
Energy and The Economy. Wired Magazine on Five Steps to Move from Oil to the Hydrogen Economy. The cover story of the 10th anniversary issue of Wired magazine contains a story on a five-point plan to "end the oil era." The five points include: 1) solve the hydrogen fuel tank problem - the main question being whether to carry the fuel in gas, liquid or solid form; 2) encourage mass production of fuel cells - speed the development and mass commercialization of fuel cells; 3) convert the fueling infrastructure to hydrogen; 4) ramp up hydrogen production with a focus on renewable sources; and 5) mount a public campaign to sell the hydrogen economy. The full story may be found at: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.04/hydrogen.html. (352)
posted by Lyle at 2:29 PM

 
The Economy: New Report Suggests $40 Billion in Savings from Online Real Estate Transactions. A report issued by the Progressive Policy Institute on March 19, 2003 suggests that savings of $40 billion per year could be realized with removing barriers to online real estate transactions. The report details the needed policy and implementation steps and may be found at: http://www.ppionline.org/ppi_ci.cfm?knlgAreaID=140&subsecid=292&contentid=25. (351).
posted by Lyle at 12:06 PM

 
Issues and Trend Watch Publications: April Issues Watch Issued. Minnesota Planning issues a monthly issue and trend watch. Areas covered include: economic development, education, environment, government administration, health care, social trends and culture and transportation. The April 2003 issue is now available at:
http://www.mnplan.state.mn.us/issues/. (350)

posted by Lyle at 11:32 AM

 
Health Care: Who Pays for the Uninsured? Many of the 41 million Americans without health insurance get health care from emergency rooms, clinics and other providers. The total cost is $77 billion. This total is made up of $35 billion in waived fees, $26 billion by fees paid by the uninsured, $14 billion paid by Medicare, Medicaid and other government programs, and $2 billion by Worker's compensation. Source: Urban Institute 2001 data cited in Business Week, March 24, 2003, p. 18. (349)
posted by Lyle at 1:33 PM

 
K-12 Education: KIPP Schools Show Promise for Poor Districts. Pat Wingert and Barbara Kantorowitz wrote an article entitled: At The Top of the Class for the March 24, 2003 Newsweek on the Knowledge Is Power (KIPP) educational program. KIPP charter schools are in 11 states and the District of Columbia. Concept involves demanding academics, longer school days and homework assignments, and stricter discipline. In one Houston school, the percentage passing state standardized tests went from 50% to 98% in one year. Classes are 10 hours per day, alternate Saturdays and summers. Teachers have cell phones for 24/7 contact if students need help and students sign a pledge to abide by the school rules. The full article is in the March 24, 2003 Newsweek page 52. (348)
posted by Lyle at 3:56 PM

 
The Economy. U.S. Second in World in Per Capita Gross Domestic Product. After adjusting GDP per capita for cost of living differences, Norway ranks number one in the world in per capita GDP at almost $150,000 and the US ranks second at $145,000. Switzerland, Denmark and Canada complete the top five. (Source: Economist, March 15, 2003, p. 100 based on OECD data). (347)
posted by Lyle at 3:08 PM

 
Energy, Environment and Transportation. Hybrid Cars Attract More Buyers. Sholnn Freeman wrote on hybrid car sales for the March 13, 2003 Wall Street Journal. Sales have increased to about 5,000 per month that is a miniscule part of the annual 16 million-vehicle market. Production is below demand currently. (Source: Wall Street Journal, March 13, 2003, p. D3) (346)
posted by Lyle at 5:04 PM

 
Energy and Environment. Iowa Governor Wants Money for Wind Power. As reported in the March 11, 2003 Des Moines Register, despite grim state budgets Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack on Monday called for $50 million to be spent on wind power. Of the $50 million, $10 million would be for schools to use wind technology, $5 million for the Iowa Energy Center, $10 million for biomass-powered electrical systems, $5 million for purchasing and installing anaerobic digestive systems, $10 million for grants and loans to develop transmission and distribution systems for wind energy, and $10 million for constructing wind generation facilities. The full story may be found at: http://www.dmregister.com/news/stories/c4780934/20702234.html. (345)
posted by Lyle at 11:51 AM