New York, Boston, Atlanta and Denver are among the 283 cities that just submitted proposals to host the new second headquarters for Amazon HQ2. Amazon is promising 50,000 jobs with an average salary over $100,000, and a 5 billion dollar investment. But of course incentives and grants are expected to play a role in the company’s location decision.

It’s not often we see the darker, more realistic side of the story reported. Too often local business reporters just lap up the spin they’re given by the local growth industry and the companies extorting local governments for incentives. So it is with rare pleasure I honor on the Wall of Fame financial expert John Fullerton and the Capital Institute for this splash of cold water

It’s not often I get to applaud good media coverage of urban growth. The myth of prosperity from growth at the community level is still very firmly embedded in the hearts and minds of politicians, most of the general public and – yes, even journalists. Governing magazine and J.B. Wogan make the Wall of Fame today

While most politicians promise, pursue, and extoll the virtues of economic growth, they generally shy away from public admissions they’re chasing population growth to get it.

New York Times headline writers and reporter Chris Buckley have kindly provided this week’s textbook example of subtle word choices that keep the quest for population growth alive.

Rarely do I find writing about our economic system that warrants not just Wall of Fame status, but also a parade. I cannot heap enough praise on today’s honoree:

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