James Brasuell, AICP is the former editorial director of Planetizen and is now a senior public affairs specialist at the Southern California Association of Governments. James managed all editorial content and direction for Planetizen from 2014 to 2023, and was promoted from manging editor to editorial director in 2021. After a first career as a class five white water river guide in Trinity County in Northern California, James started his career in Los Angeles as a volunteer at a risk reduction center in Skid Row. Prior to joining Planetizen, James worked at the Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental Design, as an editor at Curbed LA, as editor of The Planning Report, and as a freelance contributor for The Architect’s Newspaper, the Urban Land Institute – Los Angeles Chapter, FORM, KCET, and the California Planning & Development Report.
Caps on Mortgage Interest, Property Tax Deductions Included in Republican Tax Reform Package
The mortgage interest deduction would be capped, as would property tax deductions, under a sweeping tax reform package proposed today by Republicans.
Pennsylvania Voters Could Eliminate Property Taxes
A measure on the Pennsylvania statewide ballot in next Tuesday's election would change the state's constitution to allow local jurisdictions the ability to eliminate property taxes.
Home Builders Oppose Changes to Property Tax, Mortgage Interest Deductions
The National Association of Home Builders has decided that the Republican tax reform proposal would lower property values.
Revisiting Single-Family Zoning After a Political Setback
Few cities have gone so far in considering drastic changes to single-family zoning as Seattle did in 2015. Still, the discussion about single-family zoning would have to go a lot further to turn into meaningful reform.
Ranking the Sustainability of Transportation Systems in North American Cities
Out of 23 cities, New York City came in first, Indianapolis came in 23rd.