Brian F. Kelcey
@stateofthecity.bsky.social
Was @stateofthecity on Twitter. Veteran of a B-Grade, Film Noir genre of politics known as "local government." Current gig: second tour of duty in the Winnipeg Mayor's Office. Hometowns: Victoria, Winnipeg, Toronto. Working on 'Debt City' (see debt.city)
(Is it public yet -? Waiting for the hit) 🎯
January 7, 2026 at 4:06 PM
(Is it public yet -? Waiting for the hit) 🎯
State & local employment, in the US. H/t @gregshill.com
No surprise that state and local government job openings are plunging (was inevitable regardless of who won in 2024 given the fiscal trajectory at the state and local level):
January 7, 2026 at 3:30 PM
State & local employment, in the US. H/t @gregshill.com
Really enjoying the boost in San Diego local coverage that I'm getting from this account. Worth a follow for those who care; 1 in 5 stories I've seen fall right into my 'local issues pattern recognition' box. I'm lucky to get a 1 in 20 from similar follows.
Morning Report: Council Wobbles on Paid Parking
San Diego City Council members are reconsidering new paid parking fees due to resident backlash, particularly at Balboa Park. Complaints about confusion over discounts and lack of communication have prompt…
San Diego City Council members are reconsidering new paid parking fees due to resident backlash, particularly at Balboa Park. Complaints about confusion over discounts and lack of communication have prompt…
Morning Report: Council Wobbles on Paid Parking
Months of backlash against efforts to balance the city’s budget with more parking fees has pushed at least three San Diego City Councilmembers to suggest the city pump the brakes. […]
voiceofsandiego.org
January 7, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Really enjoying the boost in San Diego local coverage that I'm getting from this account. Worth a follow for those who care; 1 in 5 stories I've seen fall right into my 'local issues pattern recognition' box. I'm lucky to get a 1 in 20 from similar follows.
London, et al
Why hasn’t demand to commute risen as much as new transport capacity?
New analysis suggests office space — not trains — may be the bottleneck👇
buff.ly/uMc8FOL
#TransportPolicy
New analysis suggests office space — not trains — may be the bottleneck👇
buff.ly/uMc8FOL
#TransportPolicy
Better public transport depends on bigger office buildings - Centre for Cities
Investment in urban transport must be matched by larger city centre office space to turn new capacity into jobs, growth and productivity.
buff.ly
January 7, 2026 at 12:49 PM
London, et al
Los Angeles, CA.
Palisades fire report was sent to mayor's office for 'refinements,' Fire Commission president says
Palisades fire report was sent to mayor's office for 'refinements,' Fire Commission president says
The Fire Commission president's account raises questions about Mayor Karen Bass' role in revisions to the Palisades fire after-action report.
www.latimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Los Angeles, CA.
San Diego, CA
Amid push to cut spending, San Diego city auditor fights against shrinking budget
San Diego City Auditor Andy Hanau opposes a proposed 7% budget cut amidst a $110 million deficit. He argues that further reductions will hinder his office's ability to ide…
San Diego City Auditor Andy Hanau opposes a proposed 7% budget cut amidst a $110 million deficit. He argues that further reductions will hinder his office's ability to ide…
Amid push to cut spending, San Diego city auditor fights against shrinking budget
City Auditor Andy Hanau argues his office helps other departments find efficiencies and save money, and that cutting his budget could cost taxpayers more in the long run.
www.kpbs.org
January 7, 2026 at 2:30 AM
San Diego, CA
I would not propose to handle it that way.
January 7, 2026 at 1:23 AM
I would not propose to handle it that way.
Sounds familiar! Housing development and growth-enabling infrastructure, in Ontario.
Waterloo Region says water capacity concerns may impact proposed development projects
Waterloo Region says water capacity concerns may impact proposed development projects
The future of Waterloo Region’s water supply remains a little murky.
bit.ly
January 7, 2026 at 1:05 AM
Sounds familiar! Housing development and growth-enabling infrastructure, in Ontario.
Cut whatever "Lights are going out all over ______" / "The Sun is setting on _______" metaphor you want.
January 7, 2026 at 12:33 AM
Cut whatever "Lights are going out all over ______" / "The Sun is setting on _______" metaphor you want.
Reposted by Brian F. Kelcey
imagine telling yourself on january 6, 2021 that five years from now things would be so much worse
January 7, 2026 at 12:06 AM
imagine telling yourself on january 6, 2021 that five years from now things would be so much worse
A few years ago, I was in Mexico through late Feb and early March, watching Covid spread from country to country and city to city on my oh-so-much-more-global Twitter feed.
It felt a lot like watching headlines like these.
It felt a lot like watching headlines like these.
🇩🇪🇺🇦 “Germany will accept responsibility for the security of Ukraine and for the continent as a whole.”
- Friedrich Merz
Chancellor of Germany
- Friedrich Merz
Chancellor of Germany
January 6, 2026 at 11:17 PM
A few years ago, I was in Mexico through late Feb and early March, watching Covid spread from country to country and city to city on my oh-so-much-more-global Twitter feed.
It felt a lot like watching headlines like these.
It felt a lot like watching headlines like these.
Reposted by Brian F. Kelcey
January 6, 2026 at 10:42 PM
San Diego, CA
San Diego sues federal government over razor wire border barrier on city-owned property
San Diego has filed a lawsuit against federal agencies to stop razor wire fencing construction on city-owned land near the U.S.-Mexico border. The city claims the fe…
San Diego has filed a lawsuit against federal agencies to stop razor wire fencing construction on city-owned land near the U.S.-Mexico border. The city claims the fe…
San Diego sues federal government over razor wire border barrier on city-owned property
The city says U.S. Marines illegally built the barrier in the Marron Valley wilderness despite a longstanding protective agreement.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:02 PM
San Diego, CA
Call for papers, on a subject I care about, (and, hmmm...)
Open call for papers, Economic Analysis of Regulation. Conference to be held in Cambridge, MA on April 24, 2026. Submit papers by 11:59pm EDT on February 10, 2026. More information: www.nber.org/calls-papers...
January 6, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Call for papers, on a subject I care about, (and, hmmm...)
American rents, h/t @jm-mcgrath.bsky.social
A heck of a chart: in every single one of the 10 major US cities that built the most housing between 2017 and 2023, rents for older, existing units fell—often by quite a bit.
January 6, 2026 at 5:48 PM
American rents, h/t @jm-mcgrath.bsky.social
Strongly-worded letters alone ain't gonna do it.
January 6, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Strongly-worded letters alone ain't gonna do it.
("Design" is an awfully fancy, self-indulgent word to apply to budgeting, isn't it? I've been directly involved in 8+ city budgets so far and have monitored maybe 40+ closely in various cities and I don't think I've seen that verb tossed out before)
#AssemblyBudget will meet tomorrow to question Greater London Authority (GLA) officers on the processes for how the Mayor’s draft 2026-27 budget was designed. www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/w...
January 6, 2026 at 11:53 AM
("Design" is an awfully fancy, self-indulgent word to apply to budgeting, isn't it? I've been directly involved in 8+ city budgets so far and have monitored maybe 40+ closely in various cities and I don't think I've seen that verb tossed out before)
I'm reading a Europe-sourced story on, er, recent events, and I don't get the sense that Europeans are really caught up with recent events.
January 6, 2026 at 1:50 AM
I'm reading a Europe-sourced story on, er, recent events, and I don't get the sense that Europeans are really caught up with recent events.
Caracas
URGENTE: Caracas tem tiroteio perto do palácio presidencial da Venezuela: Tiros foram ouvidos nas proximidade do Palácio Presidencial de Miraflores, em Caracas, nesta segunda-feira, por volta das 20h, segundo diversas testemunhas contatadas pela AFP. No entanto, os disparos cessaram e… #revistafórum
URGENTE: Caracas tem tiroteio perto do palácio presidencial da Venezuela
Tiros foram ouvidos nas proximidade do Palácio Presidencial de Miraflores, em Caracas, nesta segunda-feira, por volta das 20h, segundo diversas testemunhas contatadas pela AFP. No entanto, os disparos cessaram e a situação estava sob controle, de acordo com uma fonte próxima ao governo, que mencionou a presença de drones. Segundo a fonte relatou à agência […]
dlvr.it
January 6, 2026 at 1:16 AM
Caracas
I guess I've gotta say it: I would not have handled it that way (x2).
January 5, 2026 at 11:44 PM
I guess I've gotta say it: I would not have handled it that way (x2).
My best non-politics account topic? Probably would have to re-up my 2019-2022 tirades about how parenting books and pre-baby classes are essentially a social placebo
I'd be happy with big non politics accounts.
January 5, 2026 at 11:28 PM
My best non-politics account topic? Probably would have to re-up my 2019-2022 tirades about how parenting books and pre-baby classes are essentially a social placebo