Swan's Picks 10/6; and some thoughts on "second best" interventions in transportation safety policy

Before getting to Swan's Picks for this week, here is a suggested reading from Gregory Shill, University of Iowa College of Law, on some ways that second-best interventions may pick up quick gains on transportation safety policy. Drawing from economic theory, "second best" interventions are self-consciously designed to reach for the best policy that can be achieved quickly. See more on what Shill has to say here, including suggestions for more bollards, better streetlights, and other improvements.

Here the picks (including some from last week) and an observation from Managing Editor: Jerusalem Demsas, over at the Atlantic has been doing some incredible reporting on urban policy and state-local issues. A shout-out for those who are bringing this content to a wider readership. See the fifth pick for this week, her take on the mystery city sprouting in Solano County, about an hour outside San Francisco.

San Francisco Asks Supreme Court To Reverse Homeless Ruling (sfstandard.com)

Pandemic Population Boom Strains Everything from Schools to Rent (governing.com)

Critics Furious Microsoft Is Training AI by Sucking Up Water During Drought (futurism.com)

Bill seeks renaming L.A. courthouse after Latino Mendez family, desegregation legacy (nbcnews.com)

New Cities Won’t Solve the Housing Crisis - The Atlantic

Mississippi Organizers Navigate Difficult Voting Rights Terrain in Run Up to November | Bolts (boltsmag.org)

North Dakota Supreme Court strikes down budget bill, requiring special session - InForum | Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo news, weather and sports (thedickinsonpress.com) (ruling available here: 2023ND185 (ndcourts.gov)

Virginia mom challenges one school book a week. She’s had dozens removed. - The Washington Post What the Landmark Climate Ruling in Montana Means for New York - THE CITY