A REGIONAL EFFORT CAN BUILD LONG ISLAND • (Newsday - January 18, 2012)

The Long Island Index delivered both good and bad news yesterday. Its survey showed that 61 percent of Long Islanders are having problems paying their rent or mortgages. But in rolling out its ninth annual report, the Index -- a data-gathering project of the Rauch Foundation -- held out hope that we may finally be on the verge of a regional collaboration to create a high-tech cluster like Boston or San Diego.. . . . . (read more)

ST. LOUIS GREENPRINT 2012 LAUNCHED • (RCGA Advocate- December 20, 2011)

The RCGA released "St. Louis Greenprint 2012" an action plan to help grow our region's green economy, to more than 100 business and civic leaders, many of whom had been directly involved in the development of the Greenprint. . . . . (read more)

CALIFORNIA LEADS VENTURE FUNDING FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY • (Los Angeles Times - December 7, 2011)

California is fast becoming a global center for electric-vehicle innovation and jobs. Businesses in the state collected $467 million in electric vehicle venture capital investment during the first half of this year, or 69% of the global total, according to a study by Next 10, a nonprofit founded by Silicon Valley venture capitalist F. Noel Perry. . . . (read more)

IN CALIFORNIA, ASKING VOTERS TO RAISE TAXES • (New York Times - December 1, 2011)

For 33 years, since the passage of Proposition 13 slashed property taxes in this state, California has been on the leading edge of the tax cut movement that has spread across the nation. But faced with the prospect of withering budget cuts and deficits that stretch through at least the middle of the decade, that may be about to change.. . . . (read more)