Smart Growth: Devil Is In The Definition

The $6.8 billion package that Gov. Gray Davis signed earlier this month to relieve highway congestion doesn't rely on more roads to ease California's traffic woes. Instead, two-thirds of the money will go to public transit. Davis's budget plan also offers $110 million to local governments that develop housing near job centers. Another bill he signed establishes the Downtown Rebound program, which will provide $25 million in loans to convert underused urban buildings into housing.