Kyle Rosenthal

🚨 New York! Today is the FINAL day to share your thoughts on the State’s Draft Energy Plan. Make your voice count before midnight! ⏰ Submit your comments now https://energyplan.ny.gov/Get-Involved/Comment

Your Cheat Sheet to the 2025 General Elections - Bolts Four contests have come to largely define the 2025 elections: the elections to lead New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City, plus California’s redistricting measure. But there’s so much else... Read More

There are two races for governor this fall—in New Jersey and Virginia. But don’t sleep on lower-profile statewide elections: the contests for attorney general and lieutenant governor in Virginia, plus critical elections in Pennsylvania and Georgia.

Sweet! So many exciting races packed in there I missed it at first!

2025 Mount Van Hoevenberg Amendment - Adirondack Council This fall, the voters of New York will have the opportunity to approve a constitutional amendment (links to page) that is good for both the people and wildlands of the Adirondack Park. The Mount Van H...

Brought to my attention by @adirondackcouncil.bsky.social which is in support, along with other environmental groups. www.adirondackcouncil.org/about-the-pa...

Also noting constitutional amendment in New York State related to parks/conservation: ballotpedia.org/New_York_Pro...

Can Rochester, New York Point the Way for Climate Havens? Migration by Americans fleeing extreme weather changes gives cities like Rochester a chance for revitalization.

That said, it is easy to forget the other implications of poorly managed or nonexistent AMI and related tools. I just wrote this piece which addresses data, the split incentive, and more for a project we’re working on in Rochester with @urbaninstitute.bsky.social newamerica.org/future-land-...

Interesting thread this morning. My experience with AMI has often been just trying to get whole building data available between tenants and landlords for both residential and commercial properties, a fundamental step in addressing the split incentive.

And some of y’all still out here thinking your vote doesn’t count. It does in all races, but especially local and state ones often decided with low turnout in the thinnest of margins. Doesn’t matter what party an incumbent is or what party your area “typically” goes with.

a reminder that Bolts has a monthly guide to local & state elections that matter most, for instance this is this month's (lots left this Tuesday and in 10 days): boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...

and stay tuned for our BIG GUIDE to the fall, with dozens of races we're working on.

It’s nearly October and some of y’all are still watering your lawns in upstate NY

didi you know... that New Jersey is one of the only states that doesn't elect county prosecutors directly?

one other reason that the governor's race this fall matters

So important - gubernatorial appointments across states affect education, utilities, courts (judicial appts a major issue in NJ), and much more!

Super important. Here’s my piece on this in NYS outside of NYC, among other reforms: rochesterbeacon.com/2025/07/23/i...

Can Rochester, New York Point the Way for Climate Havens? Migration by Americans fleeing extreme weather changes gives cities like Rochester a chance for revitalization.

My new piece: newamerica.org/future-land-...

Sabrina Carpenter at the VMAs performing “Tears” surrounded by drag performers holding signs like “protect trans rights”.

Sabrina used her VMAs performance to advocate for the trans & drag community 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈! 🥹

Trump rebrands Department of Defense as Department of War The US president has sought to refocus the department on "warfighting" and a "warrior ethos".

Not just a “rebrand.” This is a declaration of death. www.bbc.com/news/article...

If a “deal” got you to buy something you wouldn’t have otherwise bought, that’s not a deal.

Virginia General Election Kick Off Phone Bank Join the Environmental Voter Project for our first phone bank of the 2025 general election season! We'll be calling low propensity environmental voters in Virginia on the first day of in-person early ...

Early voting in Virginia begins in 3 WEEKS!

Join us on the very first day of early voting to mobilize climate voters to get to the polls!

Sign up and spread the word!

www.environmentalvoter.org/get-involved...

Good line IMO

“Road ecology inverts our oldest joke about animals and transportation: why did the chicken cross the road?…A better question might be, why did the road cross the land?” @bengoldfarb.bsky.social on #roadecology in his book Crossings!!

I mean if it gets someone to stop and be safer for a moment that is good. Just thinking about the underlying concept.

Do baby on board stickers imply you all are driving recklessly when you assume it’s adults and older children on the roads?

How the US lawncare industry turned dirt into gold The modern American lawn isn’t as natural as its bright green hue insists.

“Gas-powered leaf blowers are greater polluters than cars, since their engines are smaller and often less efficient. Using a commercial gas-powered leaf blower for one hour creates as much smog-forming pollution as driving a light-duty car for more than 15 hours” www.morningbrew.com/stories/how-...

Welcome to Madison: Where students help lead the city At the heart of Madison, learning and leadership come together to amplify student voices in local government.

www.dailycardinal.com/article/2025...

New York is moving certain elections to even-numbered years in a bid to increase democratic engagement. It’s a good step, but more can be done, says Kyle Rosenthal in a Beacon post.

rochesterbeacon.com/2025/07/23/i...

It’s time to fix the confusing election calendar - Rochester Beacon New York is moving certain elections to even-numbered years in a bid to increase democratic engagement. It’s a good step, but more can be done.

New piece in the @rochesterbeacon.bsky.social on NYS election calendar. rochesterbeacon.com/2025/07/23/i...

Taylor Swift’s Universal Music probed by EU over purchase of indie competitor BRUSSELS ― The European Commission announced it will launch a full-scale antitrust probe into Universal Music Group (UMG)’s proposed acquisition of Downtown Music over concerns that it will r…

This is a wild headline for the implication. Taylor Swift, of course, does not own Universal Music Group. Assuming though it is auto-generated and/or part of A/B testing as Politico headlines often change post-publication. Still… www.politico.eu/article/comm...

Again just thinking for “personal use” right now and surely could be negative consequences like bigger or “luxury” or inefficient cars, reducing safety. But I’m seeing so many houses of 4 people, maybe 6 max, but likely not all even of driving age, with 6-7 cars regularly.

Would garages and driveways get smaller in suburbs? Would there be less parking demand elsewhere? What are other implications? Not by any means an ideal and still want reduced vehicle miles traveled, but a thought on my walk today as cars seem to be cruising for fun @thewaroncars.bsky.social

Imagine a policy of max 1 car per person. Have to be a licensed driver, unlimited commercial vehicles (for hypothetical sake, assuming not abused by single member LLCs), and no household restrictions. Many who don’t have a car now wouldn’t magically get one, but those with >1/driver now are reduced.