May was National Preservation Month, and while GLUE's transition to its new site has us a little late to the party, we're now taking the preservation inspiration to explore particular initiatives in our region. This year’s theme, “Celebrating America’s Treasures,” encouraged us to consider the places that have helped define the American experience. Although the "Rust Belt" is a badge our region has worn with some reluctance, no one can deny that it has shaped an essential facet of our identity. Our cities have been marked by the rise and fall of industry; still, they stand as a testament to the tenacity of the American spirit.

The spotlight is on the Great Lakes region tonight as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers compete for the NFL's most coveted title. While there may be only one Super Bowl champ, we, at GLUE, believe the whole region is a winner. The Great Lakes Metro Chamber Coalition agrees, and they're using the match-up as an opportunity to draw attention to the region's assets and to advance a Great Lakes agenda on Capitol Hill. There is no denying the region is an economic champion. The Great Lakes Region, comprised of twelve U.S. States and Canada's two largest provinces, is the second largest economy in the world in GDP terms. "Our region is rich in...

Did you know that Dr.

Attendees of our 2010 Urban Labs Conference in Cleveland will be excited to know that the Community Regeneration, Sustainability, and Innovation Act (CRSI) we discussed was passed by Senate committee last week. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rep. Tim Ryan (OH-17) introduced the bill in 2009. . .

A panel ensconced by the Public Policy Forum in a Wauwatosa hotel, was strong on the language of cooperation, happy about the International Water Compact, and true believers in the new "work together" mood of our nation....

I received this message from the Transportation for America campaign, and used their link to send a personalized message to my represenatives: Senator Kit Bond has proposed two amendments that would strip all funding in the stimulus from high-speed rail and move it into highway construction! Meanwhile, Senator Jim Inhofe has an amendment of his own that would add $50 billion to a slush fund for road construction - a virtual blank check for the highway lobby! ...

It seems like no one is too psyched about the economic recovery package being hashed out in Washington. It got zero support from Republicans in the House even after Democrats made concessions that bummed out progressives. Whatever the political drama, people on the left and right can agree that the bill should fund projects that will put people to work quickly but also benefit the economy for the long term. We Great Lakes urban dwellers have such projects right beneath our feet: the modernization of our antiquated sewer systems. Great Lakes Senators should consider boosting funding for waste water infrastructure from the House version's $6 billion to the $10 billion. Doing so would repair systems that discharge 92 trillion liters of raw sewage into the Great Lakes every year and received a grade of D- from The American Society of Civil Engineers...

Every time I vote I am impressed and a little dazed by the array of races on the ballot - judges, school board, coroners etc. Here are some resources for the upcoming election so that ballots don't take us by surprise.

Did you know that we spend $70 billion of federal dollars every year on transportation? Did you know that that money is disproportionately used in rural areas and exurbs? Did you know that in some cases, states get more of that money when their citizens drive more? The federal transportation bill is up for reauthorization every 5-7 years, but gas prices, our nervous economy, and growing awareness of the relationship between transportation decisions and environmental impacts might make next year's reauthorization a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reverse the backwards incentives and priorities that exist in the current bill...