Legislative committee staff outline S.189 changes to hospital notice and public-engagement requirements Staff from the Office of Legislative Council walked committee members through S.189, which would require hospitals to give 60 days’ notice, post and publish a notice, hold public hearings and let the Agency of Human Services review proposed service reductions or eliminations before changes take effect.

A new bill, S.189, could transform how hospitals communicate service changes, requiring them to provide extensive notice and engage the public before making reductions.

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#VT #VermontHospitals #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #CommunityAccess #HealthCareReform

Gardner mayor outlines four health-insurance options as FY27 budget gap looms Mayor Michael Mickelson told the Gardner School Committee the city faces a large insurance-driven budget pressure and presented four options that could reduce a 12.5% rate increase; a formal decision is needed by May 1 to meet notification and open-enrollment deadlines.

Mayor Mickelson reveals tough choices ahead as rising health-insurance costs threaten Gardner's budget, with a decision looming by May 1.

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#GardnerCityWorcesterCounty #MA #HealthCareCosts #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #GardnerCity #BudgetTransparency

Supervisors hear county energy goals workshop; staff propose REEIS update, land strategy and studies on new technologies County staff briefed the Board of Supervisors on updates to the Renewable Energy and Conservation Element (REEIS), proposing a 1'to'1.5'year public process to revise land-use policy, consider federal land partnerships, encourage on-site generation and evaluate options including microgrids, CCAs and new technologies.

San Bernardino County is gearing up for a major energy policy overhaul to keep pace with rising demand and new technologies—will this reshape the future of local power?

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#SanBernardinoCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #SanBernardinoCounty #PublicEngagement #SustainableDevelopment

What happens when a molecular biologist walks into a newsroom - and then into the Swiss Parliament?

Check out our first keynote speaker for #EUSEA26:

𝗠𝗶𝗿𝗸𝗼 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗳𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲r — Founder of Science Studios, and Lecturer in #ScienceCommunication at EPFL and ETH Zürich.

#publicengagement #scicomm

Durham commissioners unanimously oppose proposals to limit county property tax authority On April 13, 2026, Durham County commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a resolution opposing any constitutional or statutory change that would cap, freeze, or otherwise restrict county property tax authority, arguing that property taxes fund essential services; staff highlighted community outreach and budget transparency.

Durham County commissioners just took a bold stand against proposed property tax caps, emphasizing the crucial role local funding plays in education and public safety.

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#DurhamCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #FiscalFlexibility

LA28 CEO Reynolds Hoover details $7.2 billion budget, ticket and volunteer milestones for 2028 Games LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover told a California State Assembly joint hearing that the organizing committee’s combined Olympic and Paralympic budget is $7.2 billion, reported early ticket and volunteer milestones and touted more than $2 billion in sponsorship revenue while promising a 'no build' approach that prioritizes reuse of existing venues.

LA28's CEO just revealed a staggering $7.2 billion budget for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, alongside record-breaking ticket demand and sponsorships!

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#CA #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #SustainabilityInitiatives #CommunityBenefit

Altoona awards $2.12 million contract for Southeast sanitary sewer extension The City of Altoona awarded a $2,123,420 contract to On Track Construction for the Southeast Sanitary Sewer Extension Phase 1 after a public hearing with no public comment; council votes to approve plans, contract and award were unanimous (4-0).

Altoona City Council just approved a $2.12 million contract for a major sewer extension project, paving the way for significant infrastructure improvements!

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#AltoonaCityPolkCounty #IA #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #InfrastructureDevelopment #CommunityServices

Council briefed on returned tourism grant, pending criminal-prosecution contract and a new law requiring digitized public forms Staff returned a time-limited tourism grant because the city could not meet deliverables; councilors were notified an RFP for criminal prosecution drew no responses and staff may negotiate with Carbon County, and a recently passed Lehi law requires digitizing public-facing forms for online submission and e-signature.

The city faces challenges as a tourism grant is returned and a key prosecution contract garners no responses, all while a new law pushes for digital transformation of public documents.

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#PriceCarbonCounty #UT #CitizenPortal #ContractTransparency #PublicEngagement

After vendor testimony, board pauses custodial outsourcing and directs hiring of supervisors Board members raised concerns about the RFP timeline and custodian engagement; after public comment and discussion, the board paused district‑wide custodial outsourcing, asked staff to hire two supervisors and requested one‑on‑ones with custodial staff before any further action.

In a surprising turn of events, the Arkansas school board has paused its custodial outsourcing plans after hearing from local business owners and custodial staff about concerns and potential savings.

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#AR #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #WorkforceStability

AHS official urges tightening of hospital 'service reduction' law, calls for clearer timing and definitions Jill Mazza Olsen, Medicaid and health systems director at the Agency of Human Services, told a legislative committee that S.189 — which governs how hospitals notify the state and public about planned service cuts — needs clearer language limited to intentional eliminations, defined service categories, and fixes to timing for public engagement and analysis.

AHS director Jill Mazza Olsen is pushing for crucial updates to Vermont's hospital service reduction law to ensure transparency and community involvement—could this be the change we need for better healthcare oversight?

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#VT #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement

Without resources we are looking at miracles

despite their dedication, there is a limit to what staff student and faculty can do to work with community to do things better for them

#PublicEngagement
#WeAreMUN

#EUSEA26 Sneak Peek

In Other Words: Engagement Doesn’t Always Empower??

Join us at #EUSEA26 for a tongue-in-cheek autopsy of a failed citizen science project — and how to do better. 💬

euseaconf.eusea.info/conference-p...

#scicomm #publicengagement

Central Virginia Transportation Authority finance committee approves administrative accounting changes, recommends FY27 budget At its April 8 finance committee meeting, the Central Virginia Transportation Authority approved administrative adjustments to FY26 to apply an indirect cost rate and a 10% managed services fee and recommended the FY27 operating budget to the full authority; the committee set a public hearing for April 24.

The Central Virginia Transportation Authority is shaking up its budget with new cost adjustments and a proposed FY27 budget aimed at enhancing transparency and operational efficiency.

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#VA #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #VirginiaTransportation #FiscalTransparency

Residents urge county action on hydrogen-plant proposals and express concerns about Los Alamos activities Multiple public commenters told commissioners they oppose proposed hydrogen plants in Cuesta and elsewhere, citing noise, water use and community impacts; another speaker urged the county to adopt a resolution opposing increased plutonium 'pit' production at Los Alamos.

Residents in Taos County are sounding the alarm over proposed hydrogen plants and nuclear production plans, raising urgent concerns about health, safety, and community impact.

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#TaosCounty #NM #TaosCountyCommunity #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #HealthSafety

Board supports annual joint certification; executive director flags federal budget shifts and upcoming special meeting The TPO board unanimously supported the annual joint certification with FDOT and heard executive director Johnny Wong emphasize accomplishments in interagency coordination, public engagement and the need for continued FDOT liaison communication; Wong also summarized proposed USDOT FY27 budget changes and scheduled a special TPO meeting on May 5.

The TPO board has made significant strides with a unanimous vote to support joint certification, while highlighting key achievements and upcoming federal budget changes that could impact local projects.

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#HillsboroughCounty #FL #FederalFunding #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement

Without funding, public partnerships that raise awareness about cancer, patient stories, and cancer care services available to residents cannot continue

Crossing my fingers. We should be able to come up with a good plan...

#NewfoundlandAndLabrador #PublicEngagement #Advocacy #Cancer #Funding

Just offered my years of experience in cancer research and public engagement to help address the information needs of the NL population on cancer & asked for government funding for public engagement

@govnl.bsky.social
#NewfoundlandAndLabrador #PublicEngagement #Advocacy #Funding #WeCanWorkTogether

Tourism committee gives three House bills 'due pass' recommendations in unanimous votes The Special Committee on Tourism voted 11-0 to recommend 'due pass' for three House bills related to Rock Island Trail communities and local recognition; motions were moved by the chair during an executive session and each recommendation passed without recorded opposition.

The Special Committee on Tourism just made waves with a unanimous 11-0 vote to push forward three crucial House bills aimed at enhancing the Rock Island Trail communities!

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#MO #CommunityInvolvement #CitizenPortal #MissouriTourism #PublicEngagement #LocalLegislation

🎥 New as of the #AIMBE2026 Annual Event, we've expanded our program to include #SciComm and #PublicEngagement.

Karl Leif Bates will lead hands-on training on engaging with news and social media, along with how to clearly, effectively communicate and advocate for your science in the public sphere.

Advocates seek $125,000 county support for Lehigh Valley passenger‑rail economic impact study All Aboard Lehigh Valley proposed a four‑month, $125,000 economic‑impact study to quantify benefits of restoring passenger rail between Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton and New York City and asked Northampton County to participate alongside regional partners; presenters said the study would produce a fall report and public engagement materials.

Brett Weber is rallying support for a $125,000 study that could pave the way for a passenger rail connecting the Lehigh Valley to New York City, promising significant economic benefits for the region.

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#NorthamptonCounty #PA #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement

Brazos County consultants present draft subdivision regulations, outline timeline and key changes Consultants from Freese and Nichols presented a draft update to Brazos County's subdivision regulations, highlighting procedural clarifications, infrastructure standards, ETJ alignment after recent state law changes, and a public engagement schedule with follow-up sessions in May and summer.

Brazos County is on the brink of transformative changes to its subdivision regulations, aiming for clearer timelines and better protection for taxpayers!

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#BrazosCounty #TX #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #InfrastructureStandards #RegulatoryTransparency #BrazosCountySubdivision

Introduction to Podcasting A full-day online workshop by The Sociological Review Foundation guiding academics on how to create, produce, and launch research-focused podcasts.

🎙️ Research beyond the page!

Join our Introduction to Podcasting workshop on 18 May (online). Learn to shape ideas, find your voice, and start podcasting. Only 12 spots—hands-on & supportive.
Book here:https://buff.ly/Ks6Y236

#Podcasting #PublicEngagement #ECRs #Research

Troutdale advisory committee presses county coordination after Buxton curbwork and communication gaps At its April 1 meeting the Troutdale Citizens Advisory Committee heard a report from Eric Palmer on county partnerships and pressed staff on public notice and quality-control for county-funded curb and sidewalk work, notably recent work on Buxton Avenue.

Troutdale residents are demanding better communication and quality control after spotting issues with recent curb and sidewalk work on Buxton Avenue!

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#TroutdaleMultnomahCounty #OR #CommunityProjects #PublicEngagement #QualityControl

Ventura holds third workshop on objective design standards; trees, scoring and drive‑thrus draw debate City staff and consultants gathered public feedback on draft objective design standards (ODS) covering site, building form, landscape and sustainability. Attendees debated tree palettes, scoring or menu systems, and whether drive‑throughs should be restricted or regulated by design standards.

City planners are transforming design regulations to create a more vibrant and sustainable Ventura—could this be the key to shaping our city’s future?

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#SanBuenaventuraVenturaCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #UrbanPlanning #PublicEngagement #SustainableDevelopment #SanBuenaventuraDesign

West Hollywood unveils "Hello WeHo" news hub and highlights digital tools used for WeHoPride City communications staff previewed a centralized news site called Hello WeHo, described coordinated marketing behind WeHoPride and said an AI chatbot pilot, Query, handled thousands of event questions during Pride weekend.

West Hollywood is revolutionizing community engagement with the launch of Hello WeHo, a centralized news hub that simplifies access to city information and event details!

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#WestHollywoodLosAngelesCounty #CA #EventAccessibility #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #DigitalInnovation

A brilliant day at University College Cork as part of the ENGAGED Open Research and Public Engagement Roadmap Roadshow. Each stop on this journey brings a slightly different perspective, and UCC really stood out for the depth of thought and honest discussion in the room. There was a clear shift in mindset, really challenging what it looks like in practice. Who is at the table, whose voices are missing, and how we move beyond tokenistic engagement to something meaningful. A huge thank you to the team at University College Cork for hosting us and for creating such a thoughtful and engaged space for discussion. Momentum is building. Conversations are deepening. And step by step, we are moving towards a research culture that is more open, inclusive, and connected to society. #LetsGoEngaged #PublicEngagement #OpenResearch

A brilliant day at University College Cork as part of the ENGAGED Open Research and Public Engagement Roadmap Roadshow @ucc.ie

#LetsGoEngaged #PublicEngagement #OpenResearch

A fantastic day at South East Technological University as part of the ENGAGED Open Research and Public Engagement Roadmap Roadshow. It was a real privilege to bring the ENGAGED Roadmap into the room with researchers, staff, and stakeholders who are genuinely interested in shaping how research connects with society. What stood out most was the openness. People are asking better questions. Not just how to do research, but who it is for, who is involved, and how it creates real impact beyond academia. Across the discussions, workshops, and conversations, there was a clear appetite for practical ways to embed this into everyday research practice as a core part of how research is designed and delivered. Huge thank you to the team at SETU for hosting us and for the energy and engagement throughout the day. This is how change happens. One room at a time. One conversation at a time. Building towards a national culture where research is done with people, not just for them. #LetsGoEngaged #PublicEngagement #OpenResearch #SETU

A fantastic day at South East Technological University as part of the ENGAGED Open Research and Public Engagement Roadmap Roadshow.

#LetsGoEngaged #PublicEngagement #OpenResearch #SETU

League to roll out short explainer videos and handouts to help residents understand property tax Staff briefed the board on a contract for short animated videos and printable handouts designed to explain assessed value, who pays property tax, and how truth-in-taxation works; staff emphasized these materials are intended to supplement—not replace—local communications.

Get ready to decode the mystery of property taxes with a new series of animated explainer videos designed to make understanding your tax bill a breeze!

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#UT #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #CivicLiteracy #TaxEducation

NVTA staff outline six‑year program evaluation; public comment set April 2–May 17 NVTA staff told the Planning Coordination Advisory Committee they received 27 eligible project applications requesting about $1.2 billion and outlined how legal CRRC ranking, transaction ratings and long‑term benefit analysis will shape recommendations; public comment opens April 2 with a May 14 hearing.

Northern Virginia is gearing up for a pivotal six-year transportation program, with 27 eligible projects vying for a staggering $1.2 billion in funding, but public input could shape the final decisions!

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#VA #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #EquityInTransportation

Ellington board hears budget cuts totaling roughly $250,000 and sets April public hearing Board members said the finance committee identified about $250,000 in potential reductions and that the district's projected year-end balance could fall to roughly $20,000, prompting possible spending controls and scheduled public deliberations in April.

The Ellington School District is facing potential cuts of $250,000, which could drastically impact local services and school operations—what will that mean for your community?

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#CT #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #CommunityFinance #BudgetTransparency