Innovative Economic Ideas 1 New Haven, Connecticut The mayor of New Haven, Connecticut wants to require city employees

to live in New Haven. There is currently a 1989 law on the books that does not allow the city to bargain with its employees about where they live. They want to change that law and implement residency requirements for all city employees. Ward 29 Alderman and Board President, Carl Goldfield, stated, I just dont see how as a police officer you can come in to police the city, and then go back to the suburbs at the end of the day where there are no problems and wash your hands clean (www.yaledailynews.com). Honda Smith the co-chair of the Democratic Ward Committee of Goldsons ward stated, City employees are also more invested in their work when they live in the city. We have people coming to and leaving New Haven with their brown bags, and they dont shop here, they dont spend money here. When you live here, you care more (www.yaledailynews.com). They feel that it will increase revenue for the city (increased tax base) and that the police officers will be more familiar with community and neighborhood problems, which should improve their performance in basic law enforcement. Some officials support changing the law, but would like to see some kind of incentive program offered with it before any changes are made. While other officials feel that, the city has enough budget worries and simply cant afford an incentive program and should implement the change without any incentives. Los Angeles, California With funding from the 30/10 Initiative, Los Angeles may be able to speed up the building of the Crenshaw/LAX light rail line and complete the project 2 years ahead of the original schedule.

Innovative Economic Ideas 2 The Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project calls for construction of a new 8.5 mile light rail line to extend between Exposition Line at Exposition and Crenshaw Boulevards and the Metro Green Line LAX station. The project connects downtown Los Angeles, West Los Angeles and the South Bay, and provides critical linkages for the regions residents, employees, and national and international visitors. Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said that getting Crenshaw off the ground was a longtime coming, and pointed out that this was a project long championed by L.A. Mayor Tom Bradley and Rep. Julian Dixon (thesource.metro.net). The federal loan money will be used to get the project going, creating thousands of jobs and bring in millions in economic development opportunities once complete funding that will help jump start the economy and put people to work (thesource.metro.net). The Crenshaw corridor has many small businesses located there and they will benefit from the development of the rail line. Its estimated that the new rail line will create approximately 15,100 jobs directly related to the project (positions created by Metro and project workers).

Memphis, Tennessee Memphis, Tennessee Mayor, A. C. Wharton, spoke of several projects that have improved Memphis and some that are in the works in his 2011 State of the Union Address. They will be launching new programs that focus on workforce development, financial literacy, and healthcare. The city has managed through talks to have major employers remain and invest in their city and acquire new businesses that will produce new jobs for their residents. They are encouraging minority and women owned businesses to open in their area. They are revitalizing

Innovative Economic Ideas 3 old public housing projects within the city. A troubled summer jobs program was revamped into a successful yearlong enrichment program for young people within their entire city limits. He has met with the governor to discuss a statewide plan for community development that would also benefit the people of Memphis. They have implemented an Economic Development and Growth Engine that will reduce the bureaucracy that they feel has prevented the city to grow. Mayor Wharton has asked community leaders, business leaders, labor officials, and city council members to help him identify specific areas where their government can work more efficiently and decrease needless spending. Mayor Wharton has made economic growth, community involvement, along with many other initiatives a priority for his administration.

References http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2011/feb/18/residency-requirements-inches-ahead/

Innovative Economic Ideas 4 http://thesource.metro.net/2010/10/20/public-officials-celebrate-federal-loan-for-crenshawlaxlight-rail-line/ http://www.cityofmemphis.org/framework.aspx?page=1280