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A chilling warning has emerged that AI-driven bots could not only isolate us but also threaten democracy and concentrate economic power in the hands of a few.

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#US #DemocracyUnderThreat #AIEthics #PublicCommenter #EconomicFairness #CivicAccountability
Public commenter warns AI "bots" could undermine democracy, concentrate economic power
An unnamed public commenter argued that when people's worldviews are shaped by AI "bots" and a few companies control the data and models, democracy could fail and economic power would concentrate into "totalitarian" control.
citizenportal.ai
September 25, 2026 at 2:58 PM
citizenptnewsca.bsky.social
A staggering $43 million is needed for repairs on Paramount's industrial routes, raising questions about how local businesses contribute to the city's revenue.

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#ParamountLosAngelesCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness #ParamountIndustrial #InfrastructureRepair
Paramount study says $43 million needed for commercial and industrial routes; staff points to noncontributing industrial users
The city cited a 2023 study estimating about $43 million in repairs for commercial and industrial routes and noted that some manufacturers and warehouses that use those roads do not contribute to the sales-tax revenue that currently funds repairs. Measure P would target industrial and commercial parcels to raise locally controlled funds.
citizenportal.ai
September 23, 2026 at 1:02 PM
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Dan Schwartz warns that the AI industry cannot self-regulate and calls for federal legislation to ensure accountability and protect public safety.

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#TalbotCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #AIRegulation #EconomicFairness #TalbotCountyPublicSafety #CivicAccountability
Schwartz says AI needs federal floor and state authority, criticizes industry self-regulation
Dan Schwartz told the Rabbi's Roundtable that AI companies are writing their own rules and that Congress should set a regulatory floor while preserving states' ability to build on it.
citizenportal.ai
September 21, 2026 at 5:47 PM
citizenptnewstx.bsky.social
Atmos Energy's original request for a $291 million rate increase was slashed to $260.5 million after negotiations, with new rates set to impact customers starting October 1.

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#ParisLamarCounty #TX #CivicAccountability #ParisRates #CitizenPortal #PublicUtility #EconomicFairness
Council adopts negotiated Atmos rate settlement lowering company’s initial request
Paris approved an ordinance accepting a negotiated settlement with Atmos after staff said the company's initial system‑wide request of about $291 million was reduced to roughly $260.5 million by the negotiating committee; the increase would take effect Oct. 1 with rate impacts varying by area.
citizenportal.ai
September 15, 2026 at 7:28 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Seattle residents are rallying for a ban on surveillance pricing, arguing it hurts affordability and discriminates against vulnerable communities.

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#SeattleKingCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #ConsumerProtection #EconomicFairness #CivilRights #SeattlePrivacy
Residents, labor and advocacy groups press Seattle council to ban surveillance pricing
Dozens of in‑person and remote commenters — including grocery workers, renters, civil‑rights groups and privacy advocates — urged the committee to pass the Fair Pricing and Transparency Ordinance, saying algorithmic individualized pricing harms affordability and privacy.
citizenportal.ai
September 15, 2026 at 7:04 PM
citizenptnewsus.bsky.social
The U.S. has announced a bold move to cut health care subsidies for foreign countries, but crucial details about implementation remain shrouded in mystery.

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#US #CivicAccountability #UnitedStatesHealthcare #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness #HealthcareReform
Speaker says U.S. will stop subsidizing foreign healthcare and vows to end profiteering
At the event a speaker stated that the United States will no longer subsidize foreign countries' health care and pledged to stop profiteering and price gouging; the transcript contains no policy text or timeline.
citizenportal.ai
September 14, 2026 at 8:54 PM
citizenptnewsnm.bsky.social
Residents and business owners are rallying for recycling solutions rather than a steep trash-fee hike, fearing it could unfairly burden fixed-income households.

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#GrantCounty #NM #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness #GrantCountyRecycling #SustainablePractices #WasteManagement
Local haulers, residents push for recycling and alternative funding instead of steep trash-fee hike
Public commenters urged the county to pursue recycling and gross-receipts options rather than an abrupt trash-fee increase, warning seniors and low-income households would be hit hardest and suggesting practical alternatives like extended transfer-station hours and composting.
citizenportal.ai
September 12, 2026 at 9:33 AM
citizenptnewsin.bsky.social
The DeKalb County community corrections board has just approved a new $15 minimum fee for electronic home monitoring, but what happens next for self-employed participants remains uncertain.

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#DeKalbCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness #DeKalbCountyCorrections
Board adopts $15 minimum monitoring fee for most participants, delays rule for self‑employed
The county community corrections board voted to set a minimum monitoring fee of $15 per day or one hour's wage (whichever is higher) for participants on electronic home monitoring, while deferring a separate policy for self‑employed participants pending more data.
citizenportal.ai
September 12, 2026 at 3:58 AM
citizenptnewsus.bsky.social
A groundbreaking drug-pricing policy promises to slash U.S. prescription costs and save Americans over half a trillion dollars in the next decade!

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#US #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness #PrescriptionCosts #USHealthCare #ChronicIllnessSupport
Presenter announces most-favored-nation drug-pricing plan, cites large savings
Presenters announced a most-favored-nation drug-pricing policy they said will lower U.S. prescription costs, citing participation by additional drugmakers, trumprx.gov usage figures and a Council of Economic Advisers estimate of long-term savings.
citizenportal.ai
September 10, 2026 at 11:51 PM
citizenptnewsus.bsky.social
A powerful witness has called out the stranglehold of super PACs and wealthy donors, claiming they’re blocking essential reforms for economic fairness that could uplift working families.

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#US #PoliticalInfluence #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness #CampaignFinanceReform
Witness criticizes "money in politics," says super PACs block fairness measures
The witness blamed multimillionaires, billionaires and "super packs" for blocking basic legislation and argued that money in politics is preventing economic-fairness reforms.
citizenportal.ai
September 8, 2026 at 7:58 PM
citizenptnewsvt.bsky.social
Candidates clash over tax reform, debating how to balance fairness for homeowners with revenue needs in South Burlington.

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#SouthBurlingtonCityChittendenCounty #VT #TaxPolicy #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness #SouthBurlingtonPropertyTax #HomeownerProtection
Candidates debate tax changes, including split of non-homestead rate and second-home levies
Bridgette Burkhart and Mitchell Sipes both backed splitting the non-homestead property tax; Burkhart emphasized data collection and fairness while Sipes warned unspecified 'high earner' definitions risk shifting burden to single-family homeowners.
citizenportal.ai
September 3, 2026 at 5:07 PM
citizenptnewsfl.bsky.social
Board members are raising alarms that a new formula could unfairly burden airports and ports, potentially costing them $150,000 each in the first year!

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#HillsboroughCounty #FL #InfrastructureAccountability #CitizenPortal #HillsboroughCountyAirports #EconomicFairness
Airport and port face scrutiny over formula that could make them top contributors to regional MPO dues
Board members raised concerns that the draft dues formula (based on operations and TEUs) could make airports and ports the largest contributors; staff called the proposed airport and port contributions roughly $150,000 each in the first year, but said methods remain negotiable.
citizenportal.ai
September 1, 2026 at 6:21 PM
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Lawrence County just approved a controversial tax measure aimed at providing property tax relief, but is it a win for homeowners or a burden for low-income residents?

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#LawrenceCounty #SD #CommunityEngagement #LawrenceCountyPropertyTax #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness
Lawrence County adopts 0.5% gross receipts and use tax to fund property tax relief
After debate and public comment, the Lawrence County Commission approved Ordinance 2026-01 to impose a 0.5% county gross receipts tax and 0.5% use tax, effective Jan. 1, 2027, to create a property tax reduction fund; the vote was 3–2.
citizenportal.ai
August 28, 2026 at 4:01 PM
citizenptnewsca.bsky.social
Assemblymember Marasuchi's AB 11 28 aims to stabilize mobile-home rents in Torrance, promising security for vulnerable residents amid rising costs, but faces pushback from industry experts who warn of unintended consequences.

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#CA #SeniorSupport #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness
Assembly committee advances bill to limit mobile-home rent hikes in Torrance
The committee voted to move AB 11 28, a bill narrowed by Senate amendments to apply to 10 mobile-home parks in the city of Torrance, which would impose a rent-stabilization standard of 3% plus inflation (capped at 5%). Supporters said the measure protects seniors and low-income homeowners; industry witnesses argued it would distort prices and reduce supply.
citizenportal.ai
August 28, 2026 at 2:04 AM
citizenptnewsil.bsky.social
A local massage therapist is calling for St. Charles to ease the financial burden on sole proprietors by adopting a more equitable licensing system, inspired by successful reforms in Bloomington, Illinois.

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#CharlesCityKaneCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness
Local massage therapist asks St. Charles to exempt sole proprietors, lower fees
Tracy Hilers, a state-licensed sole-proprietor massage therapist, urged council to exempt sole proprietors from the city's $250 establishment license or adopt an affidavit-based approach like Bloomington's code; she provided fee figures, described hardship and proposed specific exemptions for home-based operators and licensed health professionals.
citizenportal.ai
August 22, 2026 at 10:36 PM
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Residents and economists are rallying against a proposed 0.5% sales tax in Clay County, arguing it could disproportionately hurt the most vulnerable among us.

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#SD #CitizenPortal #SouthDakotaCounty #EconomicFairness #PublicTaxation #CommunityInput
County hears hours of public opposition to proposed 0.5% sales/use tax; commissioners send ordinance to second reading
At a packed public hearing, residents, economists and attorneys urged the Clay County Commission to reject a proposed half‑percent sales and use tax intended to fund owner‑occupied property‑tax relief; commissioners nevertheless moved the ordinance to a second reading on Aug. 25 after a tied vote on denial.
citizenportal.ai
August 22, 2026 at 6:31 AM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Seattle is taking a stand against algorithmic price discrimination, aiming to protect consumers from personalized pricing tactics by major grocery chains and delivery services.

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#SeattleKingCounty #WA #AlgorithmicTransparency #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness #ConsumerProtection
Seattle committee hears briefing on ordinance to curb algorithmic ‘surveillance pricing’
Central staff summarized the Fair Pricing & Transparency Ordinance intended to prohibit algorithmic price discrimination by large grocers and certain delivery services, preserve common loyalty discounts under tiered rules, and establish disclosure and recordkeeping requirements while leaving enforcement options — including a private right of action — under discussion.
citizenportal.ai
August 22, 2026 at 2:47 AM
citizenptnewsca.bsky.social
Sen. Padilla's SB 941 just passed, capping commissary markups in private detention facilities at 35%—a major win for fairness and bipartisan support!

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#CA #CivicAccountability #PrisonReform #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness
Senate passes SB 941 to cap commissary markups in private detention facilities
Sen. Padilla presented SB 941 to limit commissary markups in private detention facilities to 35%; the Senate acted on concurrence with assembly amendments and passed the bill unanimously, sponsor said the bill received broad bipartisan support.
citizenportal.ai
August 20, 2026 at 3:29 PM
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A heated debate unfolds as developers push for flexibility on inclusionary zoning, claiming rigid requirements are stalling vital housing projects.

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#CampbellSantaClaraCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness #CommunityDevelopment #HousingPolicy
Developers and commissioners clash over inclusionary zoning changes and in-lieu fees
Developers argued that keeping 15% on-site affordable requirements and high park fees make large rental projects financially infeasible; several developers proposed fee-in-lieu flexibility. Commissioners asked staff to model a 'point of indifference' and return with a staff recommendation.
citizenportal.ai
August 13, 2026 at 3:40 AM
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Downtown San Jose residents and business owners are rallying against proposed parking meter hikes that could hit low-wage and nighttime workers hard—could this be the tipping point for the community?

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#SanJoseSantaClaraCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness #PublicEngagement
San Jose small businesses and residents urge board to rethink proposed downtown parking-meter hikes
Dozens of downtown residents, small-business owners and arts groups warned a plan to raise meter rates and draw $1.2 million annually from the parking enterprise would harm low-wage workers, seniors and artists and urged alternatives such as targeted subsidies, demand pricing and corporate partnerships.
citizenportal.ai
August 9, 2026 at 4:31 PM
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Officials are taking action against price gouging following a disaster, urging residents to report any suspicious activity to protect consumer rights.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness #DisasterRelief #ConsumerRights
Officials: report suspected price-gouging to the attorney general; federal law available
Reporters pressed officials about price gouging and potential withholding of federal funds; Senator Cantwell referenced a federal price-gouging law and Governor Ferguson urged residents to file complaints with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division while state and federal agencies coordinate aid.
citizenportal.ai
August 3, 2026 at 12:11 PM
citizenptnewsva.bsky.social
Southampton County supervisors are facing tough decisions after a recent study revealed that many county salaries fall below the market median, prompting a call for public input on potential pay increases.

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#SouthamptonCounty #VA #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness #PublicEngagement
Officials weigh phased pay increases after study finds county salaries below market
A PayPoint HR study presented July 28 found most Southampton County job titles fall below the market 50th percentile; the board asked staff to model costs at the 50th and 60th percentiles and publish figures before the next meeting for public review.
citizenportal.ai
July 29, 2026 at 3:02 PM
citizenptnewsus.bsky.social
President Trump defends new tariffs on Canada, claiming they address unfair treatment of U.S. farmers, while distancing them from wildfire concerns.

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#US #InternationalRelations #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness #AgriculturalPolicy #CanadaTrade
Trump defends tariffs on Canada as response to treatment of U.S. farmers
When asked about new tariffs on Canada, President Trump said the measures respond to perceived unfair treatment of U.S. farmers and described a separate wildfire-related issue as being considered separately; he offered no new tariff schedule on the record.
citizenportal.ai
July 24, 2026 at 5:35 AM
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Ulster County is taking a bold step towards potential tax reform by seeking state approval for a resident income surcharge on high earners, igniting a heated debate among residents and advocates.

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#UlsterCounty #NY #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness #PublicParticipation #TaxReform
Ulster County legislature votes to seek state permission for "Fair Taxes" home-rule request after hours of public comment
After more than two hours of public comment and extended floor debate, the Ulster County Legislature voted to approve a home-rule request asking the state for authority to consider a resident income surcharge on high earners; the measure passed 15–8 and does not itself impose a tax.
citizenportal.ai
July 23, 2026 at 6:01 PM
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Codington County is set to adopt a new 0.5% gross receipts tax aimed at providing property tax relief for homeowners, but not everyone is on board with the plan.

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#CodingtonCounty #SD #CitizenPortal #EconomicFairness #PropertyTaxRelief #GovernmentTransparency
Codington County adopts 0.5% gross receipts tax to fund property tax relief
By a 4–1 roll-call vote, the Codington County Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 83 to impose a 0.5% county gross receipts and use tax effective Jan. 1, 2027; commissioners cited projected revenue and homeowner relief while a public commenter warned the tax is regressive.
citizenportal.ai
July 23, 2026 at 8:49 AM