Per a USDOT press release on Monday, Secretary LaHood has OK'd an additional $928.6 million in funding for California high speed rail, keeping the funds out of reach from state Republicans who'd rather the money go to highway construction.
"As Californians For High Speed Rail's Executive Director Daniel Krause explained in an email to their members, this has the effect of keeping that money out of the hands of anti-rail Republicans:
'Previously, almost $3 billion had been obligated (including money for the Transbay Terminal HSR station project). Today, the final $928.6 million was obligated, bring the total guaranteed federal funding close to $4 billion. The only thing that can threaten this money now is if state lawmakers don't move forward with construction in the Central Valley in 2012. Now is a great time to contact you representatives to remind that we now can start this visionary project and create jobs at a time we desperately need them.'"
FULL STORY: Federal Government Delivers Another $1 Billion to California for HSR

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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