In a promising sign for the negotiation and passage of a comprehensive transportation bill, the GOP is hinting it may be willing to part with demands to include a permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline in the final bill, reports Ben Geman.
In negotiations to reconcile the House approved transportation funding measure, which grants a permit to TransCanada's pipeline, and the bipartisan approved Senate bill, which does not, Geman reports that Republicans "appear unlikely to draw a line in the sand [on Keystone XL] that jeopardizes the infrastructure legislation."
Of course, the GOP is not bending on the issue out of the goodness of their hearts, they see it as a political weapon that can be put to good use throughout the campaign season.
"The overall Republican conference position is not to sink the conference report over [Keystone XL], however, as keeping that issue alive through the elections is also acceptable," an oil industry source told The Hill.
"Some other Capitol Hill sources similarly suggested that Republicans won't allow the Keystone provision - which fell short of the 60 Senate backers needed in a recent vote - to derail talks over the bill, which extends popular transportation and infrastructure programs."
FULL STORY: GOP hints it’ll part with Keystone XL pipeline to finish highway bill

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

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.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip
Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont