With several of the state's metro areas failing federal clear air standards, Texas lawmakers are dramatically increasing funding to a program that help drivers of older cars buy new, less polluting vehicles.
"A clean-air bill aimed at removing 50,000 polluting vehicles from state roadways by subsidizing more Texans to buy newer models won unanimous approval in the Texas Senate on Wednesday.
Senate Bill 12 by Sen. Kip Averitt, R-Waco, is part of an effort to bring the greater Houston and Dallas areas into compliance with the federal Clean Air Act.
The Senate's proposed state budget would back the effort with $440 million in emissions-reduction funding - a $170 million increase over the next two years."
"...A family of four with a $60,000 annual income or less could qualify for a $2,500 grant toward a new car or a $3,500 grant for a hybrid."
"Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, added an amendment that would include purchases of late-model used cars, but the details are still to be worked out. The law also retains repair grants of $600 to help vehicles meet pollution standards."
FULL STORY: Senate approves clean-air proposal
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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