Government / Politics
Proposed Bills Would Protect Funding for Texas State Parks
When lean times hit, money for state parks is some of the first to get diverted to other purposes. A package of legislation proposed in the Texas State legislature would change that.
Injecting Racial Equity into an Election Cycle in St. Louis
Ten St. Louis organizations worked together to pin down mayoral candidates on concrete questions about racial equity—but first they had come to consensus on what issues to focus on.
Regulators Scold Utility for Proposing Natural Gas to Replace Coal
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission is concerned about the lack of renewable options for replacing a coal plant in Wabash County.
State Audit Calls into Question the Use of Gas Tax Dollars to Fund State Police
The state with the highest fuel taxes has the second most structurally deficient bridges. According to the Pennsylvania state auditor's new report, diversion of $4.2 billion to fund the state police during the last six years is to blame.
Infrastructure Funding Deal for New Orleans Requires Major Politicking
Infrastructure funding has been the subject of major negotiations between politicians at the state of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans.
Community Solar, an Alternative Energy Win-Win
Across the country, community solar is taking off and making the financial and environmental benefits of solar energy more accessible.
The Regional Planning Agency Wanted to Evolve on Transportation. The County Said No.
A kerfuffle in San Diego, as San Diego County and the San Diego Association of Governments find themselves at odds over the future of transportation in the region.
When a Few Neighbors Speak for the Entire Neighborhood
This probably sounds familiar in more places than one: just a few stakeholders accounts for a clearly disproportionate number of the appeals made to the Planning Department in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Westwood.
Denver to Restructure Homeless Services After Audit
The city will commit new funding and potentially a new department to better manage its homeless services.
If You Build It, They Will Ride (400% More)
A more than 400 percent increase in bike ridership following the opening of a protected bike lane on Second Avenue proves that Seattleites are more inclined to ride with safe facilities.
Democrats Make Peace With Trump for the Sake of a $2 Trillion Infrastructure Plan
Details about what the federal infrastructure plan would spend money, or where it would get the money to spend, have yet to be revealed.
California's Most Controversial Housing Bill Advances with Amendments
Senate Bill 50, by Scott Wiener, advanced on two fronts last week: On Wednesday, it passed easily out of its first committee with new "Minneapolis-style" amendments. On Sunday, it received a New York Times editorial endorsement.
Younger, Low Income, Minority Voters Favored Transit in MARTA Referendum
New maps show demographic trends in voting after a March special election to expand MARTA in the Atlanta region.
Court Ruling: Chalking Tires Amounts to Unconstitutional Search of Vehicle
A unanimous ruling by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on April 22 found that the chalking of tires by parking enforcement officers on public streets is a violation of the Fourth Amendment.
The Public Wants Light Rail; They'll Probably Get a Bus
A regional transportation planning authority, comprised of local representatives that tilt representation away from the urban core, rejected a voter-approved proposal for light rail in Southern Nevada.
Congestion Pricing to Balance Out Mobility Systems
The goal of transportation networks should be to provide integrated and efficient services, which requires looking beyond particular modes.
Department of Interior Plans to Open 1 Million Acres in California to Fracking
The Bakersfield Office of the Bureau of Land Management released an environmental study that is the basis for undoing a 2013 de facto moratorium on fracking on federal lands in California. The Supplemental EIS triggers a 45-day public comment period.
For Vancouver’s Carbon Footprint Reduction Plan, 2030 is the New 2040
Four months after formally recognizing climate change as an emergency, the Vancouver City Council considers six large-scale changes to dramatically reduce city-wide carbon emissions.
Putting a Stop to Disabled-Placard Fraud in L.A.
The fine for misuse of a placard will increase considerably, but not everyone agrees this is the right way to address a growing problem.
Republicans Block Virginia from Joining Regional Cap-and-Trade Program
The Virginia Air Pollution Control Board approved a cap-and-trade policy for utilities to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, but Republicans added language in the state budget bill to prevent it.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
