Spokane council and planning commission press for clearer public engagement as comp plan work advances City officials and planning commissioners met in a joint session to align on the comprehensive plan update and work plan, stressing coordination, clearer public visuals and timelines, and next steps on critical areas, historic preservation, and mixed-use zoning.

Spokane's City Council and Planning Commission are pushing for better public engagement and clearer communication as they work on an ambitious comprehensive plan update.

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#SpokaneSpokaneCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #ZoningReform #PublicEngagement #HistoricPreservation #SpokanePlanning

Fish and Wildlife officials warn of deep budget shortfalls; commissioners push strategy to rebuild trust and mobilize champions Department CFO Morgan Stinson told the Big Tent Committee the agency faces ongoing multi‑million dollar reductions and low capacity for new requests; commissioners urged a broad outreach and advocacy strategy to rebuild legislative trust and protect hatcheries and programs.

Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife is bracing for a staggering budget shortfall, threatening vital programs and hatcheries.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #NaturalResources #BudgetTransparency

Select Board dissolves MCI advisory board and moves to form master planning committee; Wendy Holt named board representative After extensive discussion about scope, membership and schedule, the board voted to dissolve the MCI advisory board and to form a seven‑member Master Plan Committee to work with a hired consultant on zoning and the site plan; Select Board member Wendy Holt was appointed as the board’s representative.

The Select Board just voted to dissolve the MCI Advisory Board and create a new Master Plan Committee aimed at shaping the future of zoning and development in town!

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#MA #ZoningReform #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #PublicEngagement

Planning and sustainability budget highlights community solar, Inner Harbor plans and pending EV grant Deputy commissioner Owen Kearney told councilors the planning division is two staff and is advancing a draft climate action plan for summer adoption, a community solar rollout with ~2,000 subscribers (600 wait‑listed), Progress Park improvements and a pending EV charging grant of over $400,000.

Syracuse is gearing up for a greener future with a community solar program that’s already enrolled over 2,000 residents, but a waitlist of 600 highlights the demand for sustainable energy solutions!

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#SyracuseCityOnondagaCounty #NY #SyracuseCity #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement

Council reviews draft Comprehensive Transportation Plan update; debate centers on connectivity, bikeways and funding Staff and consultants presented a draft CTP update featuring revised cross sections, 146 project concepts, new sidepaths and greenway connections and a proposed connector between Town Hall Drive and the NC 885 tollway extension. Council asked staff to clarify what is funded vs. conceptual and to return in June with prioritized projects and engagement results.

Morrisville's transportation plans are evolving with 146 new project concepts and a push for safer, multimodal connectivity—how will these changes shape the future of your commute?

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#NC #NorthCarolinaTransportation #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #MultimodalConnectivity

Finance staff outlines FY27 budget priorities as town prepares for lower growth and higher labor costs At a council retreat, Morrisville finance staff presented the town's FY27 budget framework, explaining fund structures (stormwater, capital reserves, ARPA), the long budgeting timeline and pressures from retirement cost increases and a recent property revaluation.

Morrisville's finance team unveiled a detailed budget plan, highlighting significant cost pressures and a need for transparency as the town navigates rising expenses and labor costs.

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#NC #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #MorrisvilleBudget

Greenville City Council approves $3 million to hire architects for City Hall redesign The Greenville City Council approved a $3 million appropriation from the Capital Project Reserve Fund to hire DP 3 architects to redesign City Hall, move council chambers to the first floor, and begin construction early next year with an 18-month schedule.

Greenville City Council is investing $3 million to transform City Hall into a more accessible and welcoming space for residents and employees alike!

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#GreenvilleCityGreenvilleCounty #SC #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement #UrbanDesign #GreenvilleCityHall #CivicAccessibility

Nirav Shah Promises Regular Town Halls, New Transparency Office If Elected - IndiaWest News Nirav Shah Promises Regular Town Halls, New Transparency Office If Elected.

Nirav Shah Promises Regular Town Halls, New Transparency Office If Elected

Full Story: indiawest.com/nirav-shah-p...

#NiravShah #TownHalls #TransparencyOffice #AugustaMaine #MaineElection #PublicEngagement #AccountabilityPlan #GovernanceReform

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