For the second year in a row, Washington D.C. is ending its fiscal year in the black, raising hopes that prior cuts to city services can be reversed. So why are city leaders planning to bulk up the city's savings instead?
As we've heard before, with low unemployment, ongoing redevelopment, and its population growing, D.C. has done quite well for itself during the recent recession. Now, "[t]hanks to the hefty incomes of D.C.
newcomers, the timely passing of a few wealthy residents, and thousands
upon thousands of speeding-camera tickets," the city is looking at a $140 million operating surplus as its fiscal year ends, reports Mike DeBonis.
"The new windfall has renewed calls to relieve the impact of prior
cuts," says DeBonis. "D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) said the surplus could
fund a list of 29 now-unfunded line items [from homeless services to housing assistance] in the 2013 budget that goes into effect Monday."
However, despite the surplus, the fear of severe federal government cuts due to the coming "fiscal cliff" has the city's top financial officer refusing to raise his revenue estimates. According to DeBonis, "both [Mayor] Gray and Council Chairman Phil Mendelson
(D) said the money will remain in the bank, in keeping with a recent law
intended to bulk up the city's savings."
FULL STORY: D.C. officials estimate $140 million operating surplus as fiscal year draws to close

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.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
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