Keep an eye on the “24 Days of Local Sunlight” now appearing on the Sunlight Foundation Blog.

Featured blogs appear to range across the political spectrum. They’re only four days into the project, but I’m very impressed with Desert Beacon, a Nevada blog. If yesterday’s entry on infrastructure is a good sample, then this is a blog to add to your regular reading.

Good morning Nevada! Did we know that 35% of the 165 high hazard dams in the Silver State have no emergency action plan? Or, that 27 of Nevada’s 744 dams are in need of rehabilitation to meet applicable state dam safety standards? Or, that Nevada’s drinking water infrastructure needs an investment of some $912 million over the next 20 years? Or, that Nevada needs $246 million worth of wastewater infrastructure needs? Or, that vehicle traffic on Nevada’s roads increased by 117% between 1990 and 2007, meaning that 59% of our urban highways are congested? (Hawaii readers can use the link to see the major infrastructure needs in our state) Does it sound like we could use some construction work? Some construction workers and contractors?

If The Government Were Run Like A Business?

Herein lies the core of the problem with those who argue that all government is bad government, and all taxation is bad taxation. There is a simplistic, but ultimately functional, analogy to be raised. If a company ignored its facilities, let its buildings deteriorate, allowed its water supplies to become inadequate, or couldn’t dispose of its waste properly, how long would it be before workers sought employment elsewhere, before customers found products available from firms with modern equipment and facilities? A corporation that ignores its own infrastructure and development needs will soon find overwhelming competition from those which have not.

Another featured blog is The Turner Report, a Missouri blog by a former reporter and editor that reports on a range of political issues.

One recent entry flagged a bill proposed by a GOP legislator.

There are real issues that need to be addressed by the Missouri Legislature in 2010, and there are also the issues Rep. Cynthia Davis, R-O-Fallon thinks are real issues.

In answer to a crying need that no one else knew existed (except the bill’s four co-sponsors including Rep. Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin), Mrs. Davis has pre-filed HB 1232, which would remove the restrictions against carrying guns into churches.

When I read through bills when Hawaii’s legislative session starts in January, I’ll think of this and realize that it could be worse.

Let’s see. Speaking of politics, looking at the flock of lt. governor wannabees prompted me to do a quick check on available public funding.

In order to tap into Hawaii’s limited public funding, LG candidates must first raise $50,000 from individual residents in amounts of $100 or less, and agree to stay within specified expenditure limits. Once crossing that threshold, qualifying contributions will be matched 1-1 up to a limit of $86,379 in the primary, with another round of funding available for the candidates that make it into the general.

That’s 10% of the voluntary expenditure limit which applies to candidate who take public funds. For 2010, LG candidates can spend up to $863,790 in both the primary and general. Realistically, I doubt any of this year’s LG candidates will be able to come up with this kind of money.