No sooner had the ink dried on the Times' "Obama's Night" headline, than planning advocates began offering suggestions for what the President should focus on in his second term. With an enduring split in Congress it's unclear what is achievable.
At The Atlantic Cities, Emily Badger and Sommer Mathis have put together a list of eight urban policy ideas (some old and some new) for the President to pursue in order to jump start America's economy and strengthen its cities. Ideas include: reforming the home mortgage interest deduction and spending the savings on low-income housing; raising the gas tax; deploying social impact bonds; and funding measures to protect our largest coastal cities from rising sea levels.
At the NRDC's Switchboard blog, Kaid Benfield proffers "a modest set of community principles" for Obama's second term. Rather than swing for the fences, Benfield discusses some principles the President could realistically follow, given the adversarial political climate. These include: continuing the cooperation among federal agencies that assist communities; helping cities, towns, and regions bring planning and coding up to date; evaluating federal infrastructure spending according to the triple bottom line; and taking a fresh look at MPOs.
Read the full story: 8 Urban Policy Ideas for Obama's 2nd Term
Why does Maryland's gas tax change every year?
The state's annual gas tax update may still not be enough to keep up with changes in the transportation sector and rising project costs.
Analysis: Suspending the gas tax wouldn't save Americans much on gas this summer
Even if Congress approves a proposal to temporarily lift the federal gas tax, a variety of other factors and transportation and processing delays would mean American consumers would see little difference at the pump.
Oregon Transportation Bill Saves 500 ODOT Jobs, but Leaves Future Funding Uncertain
A bill passed in a special legislative session will raise over $4 billion for transportation and public transit in the next 10 years, but fails to establish a long-term funding solution.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.
Trump administration unlawfully slashed $7 billion in clean energy grants, judge rules
The Environmental Protection Agency ended the Solar For All program, which provided the grants, after President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Record-breaking wildlife overpass in Colorado brings 91% reduction in animal collisions
Prior to the overpass, vehicles were hitting one deer per day on Colorado’s Interstate 25.
California lawmakers approve just 5% of much-needed LA28 transportation funding
State legislators appear just as unwilling as Trump to pay for Olympics-related transportation projects.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello