A roundup of news on the planning-related consequences of the reported demise of the Build Back Better Act—a $2 trillion social spending bill intended to accompany the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act approved earlier this year.
By now you have probably seen the news that the $2 trillion social spending bill known as the Build Back Better Act (BBB) has been dealt what appears to be a final defeat by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia). The bill, once included as a portion of a larger budget reconciliation bill, was split off from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to ensure the latter's approval in November, but with the promise of a consensus on BBB by the end of the year.
The demise of BBB means hundreds of billions in potential projects and programs directly related to the field of planning have suddenly vanished. Planetizen will continue to monitor the news for more insight into the consequences of BBB's failure for planners around the country, but a roundup of what we have found so far follows. So far, articles can be organized into two categories: climate change and political intrigue. As of this writing, there is not yet post-Manchin news and commentary on the placed-based initiatives, affordable housing programs, and zoning reform programs proposed in BBB.
Climate Change
- Joe Manchin may have doomed American climate policy (Vox, December 19)
- Manchin Rejects Landmark Legislation, Putting Biden’s Climate Goals at Risk (The New York Times, December 19)
- Manchin says Build Back Better's climate measures are risky. That's not true (NPR, December 19)
- Manchin’s opposition to Build Back Better bill undercuts Biden’s climate agenda (The Washington Post, December 19)
- Manchin killing Build Back Better is ‘devastating’ to climate change action, experts say (Yahoo News, December 20
- 'I'm kind of speechless': Democrats scramble to salvage climate provisions after Manchin sinks Build Back Better (CNN, December 20)
Politics
- Joe Manchin Kills the Build Back Better Bill (The New Yorker, December 19)
- Joe Manchin Just Tore Out the Heart of Biden’s Agenda (Rolling Stone, December 19)
- Schumer vows vote on Build Back Better legislation despite Manchin’s opposition (The Washington Post, December 20)
'Inflation Reduction Act' a Mixed Bag for Climate Action, Planning Innovation
A roundup of all the emerging news and commentary regarding the Inflation Reduction Act, which last week broke through a Congressional roadblock to resuscitate some, but not nearly all, of the Build Back Better legislation that failed in 2021.
Bipartisan 'Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act' Passes the Senate
A final vote of 69-30, with 19 Republicans joining their Democratic colleagues in the Senate, will send the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to the House.
The Surprising Oil Tax in the Inflation Reduction Act
President Biden has made reducing gas prices paramount in his administration, so it was likely a surprise to hear a Republican senator last Sunday warn TV viewers that a revived and increased oil fee in the climate bill will increase their gas costs.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
