Government / Politics
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Newsom vetoes giving CA tribes greater voice in water projects
In his veto letter, Newsom said the bill would add ‘uncertainty’ to the state’s fight to secure Californians’ water supplies.
Newsom vetoes high-speed rail supervision bill after agency receives condemnatory audit
The audit found the CHSRA approved almost $600,000 in unallowable travel expenses.
MTA expects Trump’s tariffs to increase new NYC transit costs by $1 billion
The Metropolitan Transit Authority said the cost of new subway cars has risen by 30% since Trump began his second term as president.
Mamdani sent nearly 6,000 pied-à-terre tax warnings to homes that didn’t qualify
A judge has ordered the administration to cancel thousands of pied-à-terre tax notices after it sent 35% of them erroneously.
California high-speed rail accomplishes only one legislative goal in 2026
The majority of the agency's failed pitches were never developed into written proposals.
Sharp cuts to federal passenger rail, public transit funding arrive today
The American Public Transportation Associations estimates the stopgap bill will result in an over 80% cut to federal passenger rail investment and 20% cut to public transit investment.
Boston sues Trump administration over revoked infrastructure grant
The Trump administration withdrew the infrastructure grant because less than 1% of the money would go to electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Pittsburg launches 'EZ permits,' aims for one-day turnaround for low-risk permits
The pilot ‘fast lane’ for permits is part of a bundle of modernization efforts for Pittsburg’s permitting process.
Federal judge strikes down DOE orders to keep Michigan power plant open past retirement date
The decision is one of the first successful legal challenges to President Trump’s “national energy emergency” ruling, which instructs federal agencies to use emergency powers to increase fossil fuel production.
Revenue from 4,000 acre solar project on Navajo Nation will not directly go to local tribe members
While the project is estimated to generate over $310 million in lease and tax payments, the funds will go to the Navajo Nation Administrative Service Centers rather than local residents.
California lawmakers secure climate funding from Newsom
Senate Democrats fought for the deal after changes to California’s carbon market threatened climate program allocations.
Trump to test water cybersecurity pilot in Texas
The program aims to find vulnerabilities in water systems and address them with private sector cyber security and AI.
Surface transportation funding extended to mid-December
The temporary spending bill reduces public transit funding by 20% and passenger rail funding by 81%.
1.4 million acres of land in Alaska to lose federal protections
The Trump administration is transferring the land to the state, which will make it easier for Alaska to greenlight projects that may damage the environment.
NYC releases city’s first racial equity plan
The plan lists a wide range of goals, from improving pregnancy-related health outcomes for Black New Yorkers to building more affordable housing.
Patagonia, environmental groups revive old legal fights against new cuts to Utah monuments
White House says Trump ‘rightsized’ Bears Ears.
House’s stopgap bill would reduce passenger rail investment by 83%
The bill would also lessen surface level public transit investment by 20% and eliminate the advance appropriations provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
NYC residents are using TikTok to alert Mandami of city infrastructure problems — and it’s working
The format went viral after a NYC resident posted a video of two potholes and found them paved within hours.
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.
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City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
