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Policy Archive

Archives for October 2019

Criminal Justice
The officer who was fired for using a chokehold on Eric Garner is suing to get his job backThe officer who was fired for using a chokehold on Eric Garner is suing to get his job back
Criminal Justice

Ex-NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo claims that his August firing was “arbitrary and capricious.”

By P.R. Lockhart
Politics
A top Trump student loan official just resigned, calling for debt forgivenessA top Trump student loan official just resigned, calling for debt forgiveness
Politics

A former Department of Education official advocated the measure following Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos denouncing debt forgiveness proposals.

By Hannah Brown
Politics
WHO just declared another polio virus strain eradicated. There’s one more to go.WHO just declared another polio virus strain eradicated. There’s one more to go.
Politics

Once a leading killer of children, polio has nearly been wiped out by a global vaccination effort.

By Julia Belluz
Education
Police officer resigns after video shows him using excessive force on an 11-year-old girlPolice officer resigns after video shows him using excessive force on an 11-year-old girl
Education

The incident has reignited a debate about police presence in schools.

By P.R. Lockhart
Politics
ICE tried to fine immigrants living in sanctuary churches. Now, it’s backing down.ICE tried to fine immigrants living in sanctuary churches. Now, it’s backing down.
Politics

For some, the fines topped $500,000.

By Nicole Narea
Police Violence
Amber Guyger’s lawyers have taken the first step toward appealing her murder convictionAmber Guyger’s lawyers have taken the first step toward appealing her murder conviction
Police Violence

A notice of appeal was filed on October 16, but it could be months before her attorneys proceed further.

By P.R. Lockhart
Politics
Kirstjen Nielsen was asked to answer for family separations after leaving officeKirstjen Nielsen was asked to answer for family separations after leaving office
Politics

At Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit, she said she didn’t “regret enforcing the law.”

By Nicole Narea
Is it time for American cities to stop growing?
Cities & Urbanism

For years, urban “renewal” meant wooing young professionals. Even they can’t afford to live in cities anymore.

By Vinnie Rotondaro
Education
White UConn students were arrested for shouting the n-word. Black students say the incident is part of a larger problem.White UConn students were arrested for shouting the n-word. Black students say the incident is part of a larger problem.
Education

Students say the university needs to do a lot more to address a deeper culture of racism on campus.

By P.R. Lockhart
Politics
Pennsylvania lawmakers want to ban abortion before many people know they’re pregnantPennsylvania lawmakers want to ban abortion before many people know they’re pregnant
Politics

The state is the latest to consider a bill that would ban the procedure as early as six weeks into pregnancy.

By Anna North
Vox’s guide to where 2020 Democrats stand on policy
Elizabeth Warren marches with Chicago teachers after releasing new K-12 education planElizabeth Warren marches with Chicago teachers after releasing new K-12 education plan
Vox’s guide to where 2020 Democrats stand on policy

Warren’s plan stands firmly on the side of public school teachers.

By Ella Nilsen
Politics
We deserve a better Medicare-for-all debateWe deserve a better Medicare-for-all debate
Politics

The debate over Medicare-for-all’s financing ignores the costs of the alternatives — and the status quo under Trump.

By Dylan Scott
World Politics
Republican and Democratic lawmakers are distancing themselves from Trump’s foreign policyRepublican and Democratic lawmakers are distancing themselves from Trump’s foreign policy
World Politics

After Trump abandoned a key ally in the Middle East, Nancy Pelosi and a bipartisan group visited other allies in Jordan and Afghanistan.

By Ella Nilsen
Politics
A controversial Florida law stops some former felons from voting. A judge just blocked part of it.A controversial Florida law stops some former felons from voting. A judge just blocked part of it.
Politics

A federal judge has issued a limited ruling that Florida cannot use a person’s inability to pay fines as a reason to deny the vote.

By P.R. Lockhart
Politics
Why a vote to close New York’s Rikers Island is being met with backlashWhy a vote to close New York’s Rikers Island is being met with backlash
Politics

City leaders say they want to create smaller, more “humane” jails in the city. Some activists argue that there shouldn’t be jails at all.

By P.R. Lockhart