Posts by hdcoadmin
Anti-terrorism spending problems plague state
Greg Barrett of The (Baltimore) Sun reviewed thousands of pages detailing homeland security spending in Maryland, finding that while most of the $161 million since 2002 has gone to assist first responders, “Maryland is so flush with anti-terrorism grant funds and spending authority is so broad that the state has struggled, at times, to manage…
Read MoreTax abatements benefit downtown owners
Gregory S. Reeves of The Kansas City Star analyzed county data on tax breaks given to properties in downtown Kansas City, finding that “more than 1,700 properties in Jackson County enjoy some kind of property tax abatement,” including several expensive condo buildings. Meanwhile, many residential property owners are facing double-digit increases in their assessments.
Read MoreMotor Vehicle Bureaus use varies
Michele McNeil of The Indianapolis Star used state data to show that “at least 30 motor vehicle license branches do as little business as those in the 12 small towns already scheduled to close.” In addition, the paper found that the number of cars and trucks processed by branches fluctuates wildly. “For example, the average…
Read MoreAmnesty execs contribute maximum to Kerry
Rowan Scarborough of The Washington Times used Federal Election Commission records finding that the top leadership of Amnesty International contributed the maximum of $2,000 to Sen. John Kerry’s presidential campaign. Amnesty International describes itself as nonpartisan. William F. Schulz, executive director of Amnesty USA and Joe W. “Chip” Pitts III, board chairman of Amnesty International…
Read MoreSexual harassment rarely reported on Oregon campuses
Alan Gustafson and Shawn Day of the Salem, Ore., Statesman Journal analyze Oregon University System’s handling of sexual harassment. They found that the system lacks “data on the extent to which sexual harassment is happening on Oregon campuses.” The university system also fails to inform students on the proper way to file a complaint.
Read MoreFormer security chief spent thousands on state issued gas card
Eric Eyre and Scott Finn of The Charleston Gazette continue their investigation of Neal Sharp, West Virginia’s former homeland security chief, reporting that “Sharp purchased gasoline with his state credit card at least 30 times on days he wasn’t working.” In all, Sharp charged $6,764 to his state-issued credit card between July 2003 and March…
Read MorePrisoner complaints ignored by officials
Norman Sinclair, Melvin Claxton and Ronald J. Hansen of The Detroit News report that “Michigan lawmakers and prison officials have stymied investigations of sexual abuse in women’s prisons, stifled inmate complaints and stripped away the rights of assaulted prisoners to sue for damages.” Ten years after federal officials highlighted a problem with assaults of female…
Read MorePolice chases lack restrictions
Eunice Trotter, Tom Spalding and Mark Nichols of The Indianapolis Star built a database of reports on police chases, showing that “police are virtually unrestricted when they chase suspects. They pursue fleeing vehicles at high speeds and usually for traffic infractions.” One of five chases resulted in an injury or death, and state police chases…
Read MoreCities, counties ignore misdemeanor warrents to save money
Chris Halsne of KIRO-Seattle reports on why many criminals with outstanding misdemeanor warrants don’t have to worry about going to jail. The KIRO-Seattle investigative team analyzed 145,000 active misdemeanor warrants in Washington. They found “a growing number of cities and counties … don’t want to pay for the cost of jail time or transportation of…
Read MoreGovernor ignores clemency board recommendations
Amanda J. Crawford and Ryan Konig of The Arizona Republic analyzed state records on clemency, finding that “the number of inmates recommended to the governor for shortened prison terms by the Board of Executive Clemency has skyrocketed” during the past 10 years. “But in the vast majority of cases, even in those where the trial…
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