How a Bill Becomes a Law

Chapter 4

Google maps Assignment

View Orlando City Hall in a larger map

Covering local government

PAR story examples

Here is a city council story.

Here is a Public Works/City Council story. Here is another.

Here is an ordinance story.

Here is a zoning story.

Forms of City Government

here are three basic forms of local government - these are covered in chapter six.

1) Mayor-council
2) City manager-council

Here's a chart comparing/contrasting the two forms.

3) Commission - rarely used

Here's a link to one of the few cities that uses this form of government, Portland.

Story Pitches

Remember that you need to have beat story pitches approved. Here are tips for story pitches:

* Pitch ideas not topics
* Do initial reporting
* Explain why is this newsworthy
* Explain why this is important now
* Make sure that there are people central to the story

Good luck!