Minimum Wage Increases Across US States and Localities
Twenty-one states raised their minimum wages on January 1, 2025, with some cities and counties independently setting significantly higher minimums; for instance, several Washington and California localities have minimum wages above $20 per hour, while others are approaching that mark, according to t...
Minimum Wage Increases Across US States and Localities
Twenty-one states raised their minimum wages on January 1, 2025, with some cities and counties independently setting significantly higher minimums; for instance, several Washington and California localities have minimum wages above $20 per hour, while others are approaching that mark, according to t...
Progress
48% Bias Score
€25 Billion Deficit Cripples German Municipalities
German municipalities are facing a €25 billion deficit in 2023, a threefold increase from the previous year, due to rising personnel and social costs, inflation, and interest payments, placing a strain on municipal operations and investments.
€25 Billion Deficit Cripples German Municipalities
German municipalities are facing a €25 billion deficit in 2023, a threefold increase from the previous year, due to rising personnel and social costs, inflation, and interest payments, placing a strain on municipal operations and investments.
Progress
52% Bias Score
Gießen Faces Delays in Weapons Ban Zone Implementation Due to Lack of Expertise
Due to a lack of internal expertise, the city of Gießen faces delays in implementing a weapons ban zone, requiring the transfer of files and expertise from the county, which is further complicated by a short deadline from the state government.
Gießen Faces Delays in Weapons Ban Zone Implementation Due to Lack of Expertise
Due to a lack of internal expertise, the city of Gießen faces delays in implementing a weapons ban zone, requiring the transfer of files and expertise from the county, which is further complicated by a short deadline from the state government.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Marburg Rejects Gun-Free Zone, Prioritizes Alternative Safety Measures
Following a federal weapons law revision, Marburg city council rejected establishing a gun-free zone, citing a comprehensive risk assessment and opting for alternative safety measures like enhanced lighting, increased police presence, and community initiatives.
Marburg Rejects Gun-Free Zone, Prioritizes Alternative Safety Measures
Following a federal weapons law revision, Marburg city council rejected establishing a gun-free zone, citing a comprehensive risk assessment and opting for alternative safety measures like enhanced lighting, increased police presence, and community initiatives.
Progress
32% Bias Score
German Cities Increase Parking Fees to Address Budget Shortfalls
Kiel and Flensburg are raising parking fees in 2025, with Kiel increasing hourly rates from €1.50 to €2.00 to address a budget deficit and Flensburg implementing cashless payments by the end of 2025, while Lübeck's proposed increase is postponed due to new court rulings.
German Cities Increase Parking Fees to Address Budget Shortfalls
Kiel and Flensburg are raising parking fees in 2025, with Kiel increasing hourly rates from €1.50 to €2.00 to address a budget deficit and Flensburg implementing cashless payments by the end of 2025, while Lübeck's proposed increase is postponed due to new court rulings.
Progress
32% Bias Score
Melbourne Lord Mayor Faces Conflict-of-Interest Questions Over Developer Donation
Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece accepted a \$5000 donation from Sidney Myer, a financier behind a proposed 57-story tower in Arden, despite a prior pledge against accepting funds from developers, raising conflict-of-interest concerns.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Faces Conflict-of-Interest Questions Over Developer Donation
Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece accepted a \$5000 donation from Sidney Myer, a financier behind a proposed 57-story tower in Arden, despite a prior pledge against accepting funds from developers, raising conflict-of-interest concerns.
Progress
60% Bias Score
Berlin Senate Threatens Takeover of Urbane Mitte Project Planning
The Berlin Senate threatens to take over planning for the "Urbane Mitte" development project in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg due to delays, despite local opposition to the large-scale office building plan, further complicated by the pending S21 rail line.
Berlin Senate Threatens Takeover of Urbane Mitte Project Planning
The Berlin Senate threatens to take over planning for the "Urbane Mitte" development project in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg due to delays, despite local opposition to the large-scale office building plan, further complicated by the pending S21 rail line.
Progress
60% Bias Score
Spanish Municipality Defies National Garbage Tax
The mayor of Leganés, Miguel Ángel Recuenco, announced the city will not collect a new national garbage tax, defying the central government's mandate due to legal ambiguities and excessive estimated costs of \$150-200 per household.
Spanish Municipality Defies National Garbage Tax
The mayor of Leganés, Miguel Ángel Recuenco, announced the city will not collect a new national garbage tax, defying the central government's mandate due to legal ambiguities and excessive estimated costs of \$150-200 per household.
Progress
48% Bias Score
French Local Governments Cancel New Year's Events to Protest Budget Cuts
Facing government demands for €6.5 billion in budget cuts, numerous French local governments, including Rouen Normandy Metropolis and several Île-de-France departments, are canceling traditional New Year's greetings ceremonies, saving small sums but protesting austerity measures.
French Local Governments Cancel New Year's Events to Protest Budget Cuts
Facing government demands for €6.5 billion in budget cuts, numerous French local governments, including Rouen Normandy Metropolis and several Île-de-France departments, are canceling traditional New Year's greetings ceremonies, saving small sums but protesting austerity measures.
Progress
32% Bias Score
İBB Undergoes Extensive Audit Amidst Political Tensions
The Turkish Ministry of Interior launched a detailed audit of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), examining concert and festival spending and compliance with legal and financial regulations, potentially impacting the upcoming elections.
İBB Undergoes Extensive Audit Amidst Political Tensions
The Turkish Ministry of Interior launched a detailed audit of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), examining concert and festival spending and compliance with legal and financial regulations, potentially impacting the upcoming elections.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Dutch Minister Extends Asylum Housing Deadline, Avoids Enforcing Quotas
Dutch Minister Faber extends deadline for 96,000 asylum seeker housing spaces, opting against forcing municipalities to meet the target despite a shortfall of around 7,000, citing near-completion of target and plans to limit inflow.
Dutch Minister Extends Asylum Housing Deadline, Avoids Enforcing Quotas
Dutch Minister Faber extends deadline for 96,000 asylum seeker housing spaces, opting against forcing municipalities to meet the target despite a shortfall of around 7,000, citing near-completion of target and plans to limit inflow.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Labour's Devolution Plan: Boosting Local Power, Addressing Territorial Equity
Labour's white paper, "Power and partnership: Foundations for growth," proposes a constitutional settlement extending devolution across England, aiming to improve local services but raising concerns about territorial equity and the need for a central/local concordat.
Labour's Devolution Plan: Boosting Local Power, Addressing Territorial Equity
Labour's white paper, "Power and partnership: Foundations for growth," proposes a constitutional settlement extending devolution across England, aiming to improve local services but raising concerns about territorial equity and the need for a central/local concordat.
Progress
40% Bias Score