David Morton

Project editor

David Morton is a former reporter living in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He has contributed to several nonprofit and journalism projects aimed at improving citizens' access to local government and public affairs.

Contributions

Election

Steal This Platform

Practical ideas and solutions to confront Hamilton County’s challenges head on.

Ladder leaning against white wall.
Economy

Opportunity barriers for Chattanooga youth

Barriers to economic mobility are most acute in the South, where segregation, income inequality, local school quality, and family structure strongly correlate with geographical differences in upward mobility.

Window with bullet holes
Criminal justice

Violence reduction playbook

Finding the right policy is the first step to curbing crime. We break down several popular options.

Hamilton County Courthouse south lawn
Open data

Open Hamilton

An open data policy would improve government transparency, accountability and efficiency in Hamilton County.

Boy walking up school steps
Education

The cost of education

The Metro Ideas Project examined more than a dozen local, state and federal datasets to answer a simple question: How much does it cost to educate a student in Hamilton County, Tennessee? The answer has important implications for elected officials, educators and the general public.