June 22, 2007

Learn more about the Urban Partnership Agreement - and more

"Free-Flow Pricing" and the Urban Partnership Agreement

Would you rather have Bus Rapid Transit on I-35W up and running in 2008... or 2023? Are you willing to be part of a federal demonstration for "free-flow pricing" to do it? These are the choices that citizens face if we want to compete for federal money to reduce congestion as part of the Urban Partnership Agreement.

The Twin Cities Metropolitan Area is one of nine semi-finalists competing for up to $1 billion in federal funding, but we will have to improve our proposal to make it to the final round.

We are hosting community meetings to build public support for an improved proposal. The first meeting will be next Wednesday, June 27 at 7:00 pm - click here for more information. If you live or work along the 35W corridor and would like to help set up a meeting in your community, contact Annie Levenson-Falk at alevensonfalk [at] citizensleague.org.

MAP 150 Update

As MAP 150 works to create an innovative civic engagement web platform, we'd like to know how you use and want to use technology. We're looking for all sorts of people - young, old, techies, tech haters, Citizens Leaguers, non-members, etc. - to participate in a focus group on this topic. Taking place on the evening of Thursday, June 28th at the U, you'll get a $20 gift card to your choice of Target or Best Buy, in addition to food and a parking voucher. Email Erin Sapp (erin [at] map150.org) for more information and to sign up. Spots are limited, so sign up soon!

Government 2.0: Wikinomics, Government & Democracy is a global research project that will identify and analyze new models of collaboration to transform the public sector. It builds on a wealth of continuing research by New Paradigm - a renowned think tank led by the author of Wikinomics and strategist Don Tapscott - and a global faculty of experts. They've opened up this workspace (which includes MAP 150 as a case study) to invite input on their research. Feel free to jump in and have fun!

Blog Roundup

Check out Sean's June Viewpoint - and let him know what you think!

On the Policy Blog, learn more about the Urban Partnership Agreement, read the full interview with Sean Kenney of the Labor-Managerment Health-Care Coalition (a shorter version is in the June 2007 Minnesota Journal), and catch up on what the Citizens League accomplished in the 2007 Legislative Session.

Posted by Victoria Ford at June 22, 2007 11:05 AM