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Case 10.1: Baltimore Battles the Banks

Audio:

• WYPR Maryland Morning – From Wall Street…to Eutaw Street
  This story from Baltimore’s local NPR station addresses the city’s legal strategies against major banks in the wake of the economic crisis.  According to the report, why did local government officials take action rather than leaving matters to the federal government or other regulators?
   
• NPR – LIBOR spotlight shifts to U.S. regulators
  This report from NPR highlights the role of U.S. regulators in monitoring complicated international financial transactions.  After listening to this report, reflect on the role of U.S. regulators in the case study.
   

Web Resources:

• New York Times – Judge rejects much of LIBOR lawsuit against banks
  As a follow-up to the details presented in the case study, this New York Times article explains that Baltimore City was largely unsuccessful in its efforts to pursue action against the banks in court.
   

Case 10.2: Pay to Spray? Fire Protection and the Free Rider Problem in South Fulton, Tennessee

Video:

• NBC News – ‘No pay, no spray’ case: Firefighters ‘threatened’
  A local fire chief from Obion County, Tennessee explains subscription fees for fire service, as well as other models of funding rural fire service.
   
• WPSD News – Community concerned about reputation after ‘pay for spray’
  After another house burned in the same county, a local news story outlined options for providing fire service in rural areas.  After watching the video, consider what barriers exist to expanding fire service in the areas described in the story.
   

Web Resource:

• U.S. Fire Administration – Mitigation of the rural fire problem in the United States
  The federal government has worked with state and local agencies to develop plans to improve rural fire service in the United States.  Review the documents they offer online.  Could their strategies help counties like the one discussed in the case study?
   

Case10.3: Tweeting to the Rescue? How the Mayor of Newark Used Social Media to Improve Public Service Delivery

Audio:

• NPR – Some N.J. politicians feeling heat over blizzard
  This story from NPR reviews how state and local leaders in New Jersey confronted the snow.  Compare the responses by New Jersey state leaders to those discussed in the case study.
   

Video:

• The Daily Show— Hillary Clinton joins Twitter
  Comedy Central’s team at The Daily Show offers Twitter advice to politicians.
   

Web Resource:

• Govloop – 15 commandments for gov’t agencies on Twitter
  Review these rules for government agencies using Twitter.  What challenges do public agencies confront when using social media?
   
• Twitter – Cory Booker
  Cory Booker is now a United States Senator representing New Jersey.  How is Sen. Booker making use of online social media, in comparison to his use of the technology as a mayor?