PLI Bulletin

Swatting, Unemployment, Night Mayors and More

Posted on May 31, 2023

Malicious False Reporting Relief Act: There’s been an increase in false 911 calls, including so-called “swatting,” intended to harass or intimidate a targeted individual. While false reporting is a crime, it often goes unprosecuted. The Malicious False Reporting Act allows a civil suit against someone who falsely calls the police on them.

Six-step program to enact legislation: Nearly always, it takes years to pass important legislation. So why don’t more progressive lawmakers and advocates prepare multi-year plans? For a program that’s been proven to work, see the latest IdeaLog, our blog intended to raise eyebrows and engage minds.

Harvard Kennedy School’s PolicyCast: The Kennedy School posts a new PolicyCast every few weeks covering a wide variety of issues, like democracy, smart infrastructure, clean power, refugees, and local news coverage.

Why more cities are hiring “Night Mayors”: More than 50 cities around the world, including New York, Boston, Washington DC and Atlanta, have developed new forms of nighttime governance based on recent research. It’s discussed in The Conversation.

States see record low unemployment across the US: In April, 20 states reported unemployment below three percent, explains Stateline. For many states, these are the lowest unemployment rates ever recorded. See the interactive map.

Abortion rights constitutional amendments coming in 2023-24: This edition of the Repro Rights Report describes efforts in nine states to place referenda to guarantee abortion rights on the 2023 or 2024 ballots.