In 2009, the residential and commercial building sector was responsible for more than 50 percent of total annual U.S. energy consumption, 74 percent of total U.S. electricity consumption, and 39 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. There has been a growing movement to encourage "green buildings"- those that generally use water, energy and materials more efficiently than conventional buildings, and utilize design, construction and siting features to reduce their negative environmental impacts. In an effort to address these energy problems, Columbia Law School's Center for Climate Change Law has undertaken an effort to draft a model municipal ordinance on green buildings. This article explains their proposed model together with detailed commentaries on its features, the rationale behind the choices it embodies, the associated legal issues, and various optional add-ons that municipalities may wish to consider.

Protecting aging Ohioans is connected with strengthening local area. The budget for Adult Protective services is not enough at first. After adding more budget to protect aging Ohioans, Ohio gains a more stable protective system. The funding for Adult Protective services comes from both local funding, federal funding and state funding, but funds on infrastructure should still be increased.

This report offers evidence as to why rent control is a sensible and necessary strategy to address the renter crisis, describes the benefits of rent control, and shares policy recommendations to bring rent control to our communities.

Live-Near-your work programs help employees buy homes in the communities where they work. These programs reduce the high costs of transportation, commuting times, and increases employee morale and productivity. Communities benefit from revitalized neighborhoods, reduced traffic congestion and road repair costs.

This Policy Matters Ohio report, by privatization scholar and criminal justice professor Michael Hallett and Policy Matters Executive Director Amy Hanauer, points to reasons to be cautious about prison privatization, even in the case of Lake Erie Correctional Institution, which has been free of the major scandals associated with the other two private institutions

Foreclosure fillings continue to decline from the peak but still remain in a high level. To address the damage of foreclosure, the state should boost investments in housing counseling, affordable quality housing, and support local efforts to address neighborhood blight.

Senate Bill 3, under consideration in the Ohio Senate, seeks to provide addiction treatment instead of incarceration to Ohioans charged with possession of certain drugs. As introduced, SB 3 would reclassify some low-level drug offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. This is an important reform for Ohio. This analysis finds that, as introduced, SB 3 would provide treatment for some Ohioans who would otherwise face time in prison. Exceptions in the bill, however, would exclude many Ohioans who could benefit.

The lodging tax obtained from Airbnb allows the county to regulate short term rentals. Local residents have complained of noise, crime, and other problems caused by short term rental industry. Lodging tax allows government to remove advantage these short rentals over hotels and to manage the industry more easily.

How short term rentals should be regulated suggested by Policy Matters Ohio, such as limits on rentals, living wages for cleaning workers, adequate taxes, licensing of both rental platforms and owner, and housing rust fund.

Even though foreclosure filings have fallen, they still running at high levels. The foreclosures cause vacant roperties with resources to prevent them having dwindled. The state needs to put a great amoun of money to fight the blight created by foreclosures.