By Ava Jowers What was once several city blocks of warehouses and empty lots is now one of the most popular destinations for college students and young professionals in Tallahassee. The story of how this older section of the city transitioned into a premier urban location is complex but instructive for understanding contemporary urban redevelopment. … Continue reading The Appeal of CollegeTown’s Amenities Over The Years
George Floyd and the Future of Police Misconduct
By: Dr. Samuel R. Staley This piece first appeared in The Beacon. The death of George Floyd at the hands of a cop with a history of excessive force complaints has spurred protests, demonstrations, and riots across the nation. Unfortunately, the violence some protesters have unleashed on these cities is likely to exacerbate existing cultural … Continue reading George Floyd and the Future of Police Misconduct
Infrastructure critical to urban redevelopment
By Donald Sizemore College Town currently serves as the epicenter of Florida State University’s social life in Tallahassee. Yet, this vibrant mixed-use commercial and residential area--skirting the southern border of FSU, three blocks from Florida A&M University, and just a quarter mile from FSU’s football stadium--did not exist in 2010. Instead, the area was a … Continue reading Infrastructure critical to urban redevelopment
How Technology is Enabling a Revolution in Effective, Efficient Self-Regulation
By Maia Hass As the world becomes more technologically advanced, the online peer-to-peer sharing economy grows with it. In the last decade, digital platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO, and HomeAway have introduced more personalized lodging options. However, the unique features associated with these platforms have raised concerns among consumers and legislators about the lack of … Continue reading How Technology is Enabling a Revolution in Effective, Efficient Self-Regulation
Regulations Hinder Growth of Florida’s Solar Energy Sector
By Sam Stadtlander and Giovanna da Silva In 1883, Charles Fritts created the first solar cell and established the path towards developing renewable solar energy. Since then, the 20th and 21st centuries have seen increased demand for technological innovation in the solar sector as an alternative to natural gas and other conventional energy sources. Due to … Continue reading Regulations Hinder Growth of Florida’s Solar Energy Sector
Challenges to Privatizing Flood Insurance
Giovanna Dasilva The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), implemented in 1968 to address a market failure in the flood insurance sector, has been the subject of scrutiny following hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Increasing the scope of the private sector has often been cited as a potential solution to the NFIP’s pitfalls. However, there are challenges … Continue reading Challenges to Privatizing Flood Insurance
After this Hurricane Season, We Need to Rethink Flood Insurance
Giovanna Dasilva With the national spotlight on flooding caused by hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has come under scrutiny. The federal program primarily focuses on offering flood insurance coverage and reducing the impact of flood damage. The NFIP was established in 1968 to counteract a market failure on the … Continue reading After this Hurricane Season, We Need to Rethink Flood Insurance
Property Tax Appeal Process Benefits Wealthy, Non-minority Homeowners
Property taxes in Florida are based on annual assessments of property values made by county officials. Homeowners in Florida can challenge assessments that they believe overvalue their property and inflate their tax bill. Informally, the homeowner may meet with the assessor to negotiate for a reduced assessment. The homeowner may also petition for a formal … Continue reading Property Tax Appeal Process Benefits Wealthy, Non-minority Homeowners
Some Regulations Hinder Storm Recovery
By Chad Thomas and Matt Kelly One common policy response to hurricanes is to strengthen building codes. Former FEMA chairman Craig Fugate blames inadequate state and local building codes, rather than inept federal government disaster relief efforts, for the woeful response to Hurricane Katrina. After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, building code enforcement was enhanced in … Continue reading Some Regulations Hinder Storm Recovery
Economic Freedom Key to Cities’ Success
By Matt Kelly Economic freedom is the unrestricted ability of people in a country to associate and transact with one another. Measuring economic freedom has become a growing area of academic research. Probably the best known measure is the index constructed for the “Economic Freedom of the World” annual report on 159 countries published by … Continue reading Economic Freedom Key to Cities’ Success