Ian Bremmer’s Post

We are at an inflection point in the will and ability of modern government to maintain the civil society. Either intentionally or negligently, the incentives to encourage positive participation in society are eroding quickly. Typically, the structure of public safety organizations such as police, fire, ems are staffed and equipped to respond to and manage events within well understood thresholds. Just enough people and just enough equipment. Outside of this range, the population is basically on its own. (Hurricane Katrina) The fabric of society is only as strong as it’s collective threads. As the edges fray, absent intervention, cascading failures are assured. When events exceed these thresholds, even slightly, there are simply not enough police officers, firefighters etc to effectively maintain order and safety. A key assumption in the maintenance of the civil society is the expectation that the majority of the population understands and accept their individual obligations as willing members and will comply with established norms of behavior and compliance with the rule of law. That majority is shrinking rapidly. In terms of managing civil disobedience and disorder, the erosion of compliance at scale puts law enforcement and public safety in a dangerous predicament. Like it or not, quelling civil disorder is a brutish business. The use of physical force by law enforcement such a batons and other non-lethal tools is the only way to level the numerical superiority of the mob. Without these tools and options law enforcement will be overrun or worse. Several European cities have ceded ‘no go’ zones for law enforcement. It’s not hard to imagine that scenario in this country just over the horizon, unless we collectively agree to change course for the benefit of all.

Exciting times in county government! Check out this short video spotlight. 👇

Here is the latest Lee County Florida House Market Report.

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#JUSTICEFORCE So why don't Americans go to the border and protect it and our legal Americans? That would not be insurrection or sedition it would be lawful. Remember when the armed standoff BLM and Cliven D. Bundy ? Here is a scenario the is proven many violations, mission statement, oaths of office and dereliction of duty. The agents are forced to commit crimes of obstruction which puts America in danger continually. The last thing I want to see is a legal American pick up arms against another. Sheriffs have the ability to do this and deputize as they see fit. I know all of my posts, email and USPS mail are monitored and I say good as my duty is perpetual and it is my problem to remedy legally and protect all legal Americans. Remember I have two letters form DOJ 2017 acknowledging the facts and U.S. Code violations then. Flag officers USMC stand up and protect the innocent and legal Americans or give me the authority to do so. p.s. all of my post I make a copy for the file and provide the my contacts in government that concur with my findings and factual proven statements.

How are states defining anchor institutions? Our Research Fellow, Emily Rubin, took a deep dive to find out. Presented by Kristen Corra in this week's #PolicyBytes: Around 13 states unveiled their BEAD 5-year plans, and some are thinking big about the role of anchors. 📡 Vermont is including places like houses of worship, correctional facilities, and public outdoor spaces as anchors. 📡 Montana is adding ranger stations and even bars and grills to their list. 📡 Louisiana is making sure anchors stay connected during natural disasters with strong wired and weather-proof internet. 📡 Ohio is stepping up too. They’ve located thousands of anchors in the state and plan to turn them into digital hubs, all within a 5-10 minute walk in rural zones. 🌍 Does your state have a unique anchor approach? Share in the comments below!

Navigating the Real Commercial Real Estate Crisis: Beyond the Common Level Ratio and Delayed County-Wide Reassessment Myopic Blame Game: The ongoing crescendo of skepticism of the propriety of Allegheny County Tax Assessments and blame games sparked by Michael J. Suley's LinkedIn posts concerning the state of Allegheny County’s Assessment failures, culminating with his link to the Post-Gazette's editorial on the county property assessment system, it's evident that too many of the County’s skeptics are unaware of a crucial piece of the tax assessment puzzle. The editorial posits that our public finances are at risk due to the current property assessment system, yet it misses the mark on the root cause of the issue at hand. The crux of the matter isn't merely the frequency of reassessments or the delayed application of the proper Common Level Ratio (CLR) as an explanation of the “root cause” are overly simplistic and flawed explanations of the current downward spiral of commercial assessments. Instead, the real story unfolding within the commercial real estate (CRE) sector is akin to a "doom loop" of diminishing assessed values. This isn't a superficial dip that can be corrected with procedural adjustments. The downward spiral we're witnessing is a reflection of actual, tangible declines in property values. This phenomenon isn't an artifact of assessment practices but a manifestation of a destabilized commercial real estate asset base. The intersection of COVID-19's enduring impacts and the historical backdrop of unsustainably low interest rates has led to a significant shake-up in the market. These factors have combined to exert downward pressure on values, casting a long shadow over the future of CRE. In this context, simply tweaking the CLR won't arrest the decline. The issue is deeper, tied to market dynamics and investor sentiment, which have shifted dramatically in the wake of the pandemic and economic policy decisions. To navigate this crisis, stakeholders must look beyond surface-level solutions and engage with the underlying economic shifts that are reshaping the CRE landscape. It's time for a comprehensive strategy that addresses these fundamental challenges, embracing forward-thinking approaches to valuation, investment, and development in the CRE sector. As we chart a course through these turbulent waters, let's engage in a constructive dialogue about sustainable solutions that reflect the realities of the market. The future of our commercial real estate assets—and by extension, our public finances—depends on our ability to adapt and innovate in response to these unprecedented challenges.