Right to Car Repair. Right Expands in Massachusetts.

What did Massachusetts vigors approve on the 2020 ballot? An expanded right to repair law that gives more repair people access to car data.

It was the most expensive ballot proposition in the state’s history, clocking in at $43 Million.

So what new data will be open by the new law?

  • Starts on all 2022 models
  • Owners and Independent Repair persons will have access to the information
  • The information: wireless mechanical data, known as telematics

Voters approving the new right to repair law? 74.8%

The opposition: The Coalition for Safe and Secure Data funded with $26 million in contributions from General Motors, Toyota, and other manufacturers

Boston Globe | Voters overwhelmingly back ‘Right to Repair’ ballot question, reject ranked-choice voting

Above the Law | Massachusetts Voters Overwhelmingly Support Expanded ‘Right To Repair’ Law

2020 Ballot Initiative: Property Rights in Data?

Where: Michigan

What: Michigan Proposition 2 would apply constitutional property protections to individual’s electronic data requiring a search warrant as much as a search of an individual’s home or property.

Passage? 88.8% Said yes property rights apply to your data

Detroit News | Michigan voters face proposals on public land funds, protecting electronic data

Eminent Domain to Remove Confederate Flag

Where: Virginia

What: Virginia Department of Transportation Offers to Use eminent domain to take land it needed that had a large confederate flag that is seen on the nearby highway

How: VDOT offered to remove the flag or allow the group that flies the flag to remove it. The group removed the flag.

After citizen complaints about the flag what issues did the town have with removing the confederate flag?

  • The confederate flag is protected to be flown as a flag of “geopolitical entities”
  • The flag is flyings on private property
  • There is a 1st amendment protection to freedom of expression

FREE LANCE-STAR | EDITORIAL: Confederate flag quietly removed

Property. Your Pit Bull. Local Restrictions Overturned.

Where: Denver

What: November’s election overturned a long standing ban against pit bulls in Denver.

Approval rate: 2 to 1

What do studies say about breed specific bans?

  • Costly. Denver’s has cost $5.8 million to enforce since 1989
  • Ineffective. Do not reduce dog bites

Route 50 | For Decades, Denver Outlawed Pit Bulls. Voters Just Overturned the Ban.

Property. Your Restaurant + COVID Legislation

How are states handling shoring up their restaurant industry?

  • Congress: Heroes Act includes $120 billion for a fund to help revitalize independent restaurants and bars
  • Innovation: Ghost Kitchens. Restaurants that offer delivery and take out only but no dine in service
  • District of Columbia B23-0942  permitted Streateries
  • Louisiana: S72 (2020 | LA) 1 time refundable tax credit to restaurants and bars equal to the amount of any state license or permit fee for any month, or portion thereof, during which they were forced to close due to emergency public health proclamations
  • Pennsylvania H2860 (2020 | PA) , the Hospitality Industry Restoration Act sets standards to be met before 100% capacity opening
  • New York S9046A (2020 | NY) sets limits on the fees that third-party delivery services can charge to restaurants during the declared public health emergency

Redevelopment Zones for Zero Emissions

Where: Norway

What? The Dokken Area of Bergen, Norway will be redeveloped as a zero emission zone

Is the goal sustainability? NO. The goal is regenerative

How do they look to attain a regenerative development area?

  • nature based solutions
  •  sourcing products and building materials that capture emissions, and even incorporate emissions into the finished product

Fast Company | How to redesign a neighborhood for zero emissions

1st Helsinki. Now Vancouver.

Helsinki found a ROI and savings in spending when it provided homeless population housing and stipends.

Now, a non profit in Vancouver, Foundations for Social Change awarded a group of homeless people a cash payment of $7500 each.

This is what they learned:

  •  70% became food secure after a month
  • 52% of the cash on food and rent
  • 15% on other items like bills and medicine
  • 16% on clothes and transportation
  • a reduction by 39% spending on alcohol, cigarettes and drugs 

Other cities piloting cash intervention pilots for the homeless populations: Stockton, California, & Jackson, Mississippi

The Independent (the UK ) | A Canada charity gave $7,500 to homeless people, here’s what happened

COVID. Homeless. Can homeless be relocated during a pandemic?

We’re about to find out if local governments can relocate homeless during a pandemic as the cities of Denver and Minneapolis over homeless relocations.

The issues:

  • violated their constitutional rights
  • loss of property, including tents, medication, and personal documents

Route Fifty | Cities Sued for Sweeping Homeless Encampments During the Pandemic