Press

Gallatin County voters approve urban transportation district for Streamline bus system

Voters overwhelmingly threw their support behind forming an urban transportation district to continue the operation of Streamline buses.

According to unofficial results released just after 10 p.m. by the Gallatin County Elections Department, 79% of voters supported forming a transportation district, while 21% opposed it. Election results will be finalized on May 12.

 

Direct Mail is Hot Again. Here’s How to Use It

From Glossier to Quip, a variety of hip new companies is targeting millennials with...mailers? From postcards to catalogs, “hot, digitally savvy, direct-to-consumer” brands including Casper, Harry’s, Wayfair, Rover, Quip, Away, Handy, and Modcloth have all started targeting customers via direct mail, Vox notes.

Here’s why direct mail is hot again and how your business can use it effectively.

A throwback ploy survives digital age

Its obituary has been written over and over, but the political direct mail industry isn’t just still alive; it’s thriving.

In an era of highly targeted digital and TV advertising, political campaigns are still banking on an old-fashioned, mundane routine: Voters picking up their mail and leafing through it as they walk from their mailboxes to kitchen trash cans.

The 2019 election: a bright spot in an uncertain time

On Tuesday, American voters voted YES for parks and public lands — approving 24 ballot measures in 14 states, and generating $4.4 billion for parks and conservation.

Texas Proposition 5, Sales Tax on Sporting Goods Dedicated to Parks, Wildlife, and Historical Agencies Amendment (2019)

Texas Proposition 5, the Sales Tax on Sporting Goods Dedicated to Parks, Wildlife, and Historical Agencies Amendment, was on the ballot in Texas as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 5, 2019.[1] The ballot measure was approved.

Rattlesnake Hill In Sharon Has Been Spared From Development!

On November 5, 2019, Sharon Town Meeting voted to use Community Preservation Act funds and a grant from the state to purchase and preserve most of this 337-acre parcel of natural open space, which has been classified as Priority Habitat by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP).

Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Coalition

On November 6, 2018, 83% of Georgia’s voters supported the passage of the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Amendment (GOSA). As a result, Georgia now has a dedicated funding source for land and water conservation. This means our Department of Natural Resources has steady, reliable funding to protect water quality, improve parks and trails, create new hunting and fishing opportunities, and maintain our public lands. To cap it off, this is happening without creating or increasing taxes.

Voters and Mail: 5 Insights to Boost Campaign Impact

The American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) and the United States Postal Service (USPS) conducted listening sessions with campaign professionals at the 2017 AAPC Pollie Awards and Conference.

Ballot Measures: Voters spoke out on local issues

Voters in both Iowa City and Linn County had a chance to speak out on a number of ballot measures.

Indian River Lagoon Cleanup Tax Passes In Landslide

The 1/2-cent sales tax for Indian River Lagoon cleanup cruised to an easy victory, Tuesday night. The measure passed 190,404 to 115,010, or by 62.3 percent. The tax is to pay for a $302 million, 10-year plan to clean up the lagoon.

The Advocate: New Orleans voters approve tax hike for firefighters, renew drainage tax

New Orleans voters on Saturday approved a property tax increase to fund a $75 million settlement with firefighters, meaning the city will be able to implement a deal putting to rest decades-old issues over back pay and pensions for Fire Department personnel. The voters also extended a millage that funds much of the Sewerage & Water Board’s drainage budget.

Patch: Milton Prepares to Carry Out Will of Voters

Now that the citizens have spoken, the city of Milton is preparing for the next move in its bid to protect greenspace from development. City voters during the Nov. 8 general election overwhelmingly approved the proposed greenspace bond referendum.

Patch: Voters Backing Parks Bond

It appears the city of Johns Creek is on its way to approving a referendum that would expand its offering of parks and green space. If those numbers hold steady, the bond would provide for an amount up to $40 million that will be specifically used for the development of new and existing parks and for acquisition of additional parks and green space.

Pocono Record: $2 million preservation fund approved

Smithfield Township voters approved a $2 million water quality, forest and wildlife habitat fund. The fund will allow township supervisors to acquire land from willing sellers for environmental conservation and drinking water preservation.

WGCU: Lee County Votes to Continue Land Preservation Purchases

Lee County residents overwhelmingly voted to continue the Conservation 20/20 program on Election Day. That sets aside tax dollars to purchase and manage environmentally sensitive land.

Florida Today: Indian River Lagoon Cleanup Tax Passes In Landslide

The 1/2-cent sales tax for Indian River Lagoon cleanup cruised to an easy victory, Tuesday night. The measure passed 190,404 to 115,010, or by 62.3 percent. The tax is to pay for a $302 million, 10-year plan to clean up the lagoon.

The Gainesville Sun: Editorial: Cheers and Jeers

And in Alachua County, as we’re previously noted, voters made the right decisions in passing…the Wild Spaces & Public Places initiative that funds land conservation, parks and recreation facilities.

The Gazette: Linn County Conservation Bond Victory Sends A Clear Message

A week ago, I figured crossing the 60 percent threshold needed to pass a $40 million conservation bond issue in Linn County would be a tall order, maybe too tall. Instead, the measure rocketed past 60 percent like an out-of-state driver blowing past Cedar Rapids speed cameras.

Star Tribune: Minneapolis Approves 20-Year, $800 Million Park And Road Deal

A momentous $800 million deal to breathe new life into Minneapolis’s crumbling roads and parks received enthusiastic and unanimous approval Friday by the City Council.

The plan would pump about $22 million a year into new street repairs, and $11 million into park renovations and maintenance — adjusted annually for inflation. It will be paid for largely through issuing debt and raising property taxes.

Journal-News: Butler County Parks, Mental Health Levies Pass

“The funding will be used to keep the parks open, clean and safe,” said Kelly Barkley, MetroParks senior manager of community relations. “In addition, when the parks are open, they are a real asset to the county.”

The Butler County Visitors Bureau estimated that the events at MetroParks facilities provide a direct economic impact of nearly $4 million and about $13 million in overall economic impact to the county.

Wicked Local: Preserve Medford celebrates victory with Community Preservation Act passage

Medford residents voted Nov. 3 to adopt the Community Preservation Act (CPA), joining about 160 other municipalities statewide in establishing a fund for improvement projects by adding a surcharge on property taxes.

The vote went 6,290 to 5,007, or about 56 percent in favor of ballot question 1.

The Advocate: Jimmy Harris wins House District 99 race with 61 percent of the vote

Attorney James “Jimmy” Harris cruised to victory Saturday over pastor Ray Crawford for the House of Representatives 99th District seat.

With all precincts reporting, Harris, who also works as congressional aide, captured 61 percent of the vote compared to 39 percent for Crawford.

Houma Times: Magee unseats Whitney

A Houma attorney unseated an incumbent state legislator after a bitterly fought campaign Saturday, according to complete but unofficial election results.

Tanner Magee bested fellow Republican Lenar Whitney for the District 53 seat by a margin of 22 percent, marshaling 4,978 votes to Whitney’s 3,206, or 61 percent to 39 percent.

New York Times: In Red and Blue States, Good Ideas Prevail

The Democratic brand did not fare well, to put it mildly, in congressional and governors’ races on Tuesday. Most were contests of political blame, driven by ideological hatred for President Obama. But when the ballot offered a choice on an actual policy, rather than between candidates with a D or R next to their names, voters made notably liberal decisions in both red and blue states.

Miami Herald: Pro-environment Amendment 1 a big hit with voters, but no one knows what Legislature will do

The biggest winner on the ballot Tuesday wasn’t one of the candidates. It was Amendment 1, the proposal to set aside some $10 billion in tax money over the next 20 years, to be used for purchasing environmentally sensitive land and protecting wildlife and water resources.

Miami Herald: Miami Herald Endorses Amendment 1

Florida’s natural environment is its bread and butter, its tourist magnet, its lush and storied history and, if voters approve this amendment, its glorious future.

The News-Press: Amendment 1 passes, Amendment 3 fails

Voters agreed to designate billions of dollars to Florida conservation efforts over the next 20 years.

Amendment 1 passed overwhelmingly with nearly 75 percent of voters choosing “yes” from 91 percent of precincts reporting, far more than the 60 percent that was needed to pass the ballot measure.