Official News & Press Releases Matters Under Review
Stay informed with official news and press releases from Matters Under Review. Explore new civic guides, templates, investigations, and oversight resources.
2026-02-18 — Position-Based Cognitive Requirements for a Small-City Mayor
Understand the cognitive skills a mayor needs in small towns. A nonpartisan framework to evaluate legal, strategic, and communication thinking through observable behavior.
2026-02-12 — NFIP Enforcement Failures and Municipal Liability Exposure
Municipalities waiving SD/SI after property transfer violate 44 CFR §60.3, block federal mitigation funding, and expose the city to significant §1983 liability.
2026-02-11 — Substantial Damage Loophole: When Ownership Erases Mitigation
Municipalities waive flood mitigation when disaster-damaged homes are sold. This puts residents at risk and threatens NFIP compliance. A guide for council oversight.
2026-02-11 — Why Blighted Homes Persist After Disasters: SDI Gaps Explained
A council-facing report showing how FEMA's Substantial Damage Inspection rules fail to carry through ownership changes, enabling blight and unsafe housing after disasters.
2026-02-10 — Using § 1983 to Alert Local Councils to Hidden Civil Rights Risks
Explores how §1983 acts as a governance early-warning system, helping councils detect unconstitutional practices, unwritten customs, and systemic civil-rights risks.
2026-02-02 — At‑Large Councils: Jurisdiction‑Wide Strategy & Citizen Advocacy
Learn how At‑Large council members operate and how residents can effectively advocate within a jurisdiction‑wide representation system.