Government / Politics

Displacement and San Antonio's 'Latino High Line'
The city is putting money into a risk mitigation fund, but activists want to see better protections for renters in a rapidly changing neighborhood.

Coal Mining in Kentucky, but No Beat Reporters to Cover It
Environmental reporting has been one of the major casualties as newspapers downsize, particularly in places where the in-depth coverage is most needed.

N.Y.C. Saving Money With Electric Vehicles
The price of electric cars is dropping, and this together with lower lifetime costs makes them a good alternative for vehicle fleets.

Housing Crisis Derailing California's Climate Strategy
In a powerful opinion in The New York Times, state Senator Scott Wiener and UC Berkeley energy professor Daniel Kammen make the case that transportation emissions are rising in the Golden States because of the shortage of housing in coastal cities.
Alabama Is Latest State to Hike Gas Tax
Thanks to bipartisan cooperation and strong leadership from Gov. Kay Ivey, the Heart of Dixie passed it first fuel tax hike in 27 years. The 21 cents per gallon tax will increase by 10 cents in three increments by 2021 and then indexed to inflation.

Milwaukee Pedestrian Plan Addresses Walkability
The draft pedestrian plan seeks to get the community involved in making streets safer and more walkable.

California Resists Federal Efforts to Roll Back Environmental Regulations
California is pushing back against federal actions by enforcing state rules and standards that it says have precedence.

Portland, Ore. Voters Will Be Asked to Reauthorize Gas Tax in May 2020
Originally approved by 52 percent of voters in May 2016, the 4-year, 10 cents per gallon city gas tax has outperformed revenue projections. Funds are split between road maintenance and bike and pedestrian projects.

Problems With Portland Homeless Camp Clean-Up Program
An audit describes a number of issues with the city’s program to identify and remove illegal encampments.

Which Ambitious Renovation Plan for the BQE?
The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway needs work, but the various proposals have very different visions about how to tackle the project and what the final outcome will be.

‘Flintstone House’ Irks S.F. Bay Area Town
The quirky hilltop home is visible from the freeway, and commuters love it. The city, however, does not.

Breaking News: Feds Sue Facebook Over Discriminatory Housing Advertisement System
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development escalated its actions against Facebook, even after the social media giant had settled a lawsuit with civil rights organizations and taken steps to reform its advertising system.

Judge Rules Tolls Are Taxes to Dismiss Truckers' Lawsuit Against Rhode Island
The nation's sole truck-only tolling program survived its first lawsuit after a federal judge dismissed litigation brought by the American Trucking Associations, ruling that the proper venue was state court. ATA believes it is unconstitutional.

Senate Votes 0–57 to Rebuff Green New Deal
Not one Democratic senator, including sponsor Ed Markey (Mass.), voted on Tuesday to support the resolution "recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal." Instead, most, but not all, Democrats voted "present."

Zoning to Protect Manufacturing in N.Y.C.
Development in industrial areas is pushing out manufacturers, but new zoning regulations could help control the incursion.
The Race to Become the First State to Ban Polystyrene Food Containers
Both Maryland and Hawaii are in a race to become the first state to ban polystyrene food containers and beverage cups. The Maryland bill passed the legislature March 12 and awaits a decision by Republican Gov. Hogan. Too early to tell on Hawaii.

Replacing Diesel-Powered Trucks With Natural Gas, Hybrid, and Battery Power
The U.S. Department of Energy, in partnership with the California Energy Commission and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, awarded $18 million to nine companies and universities to advance natural gas technology for trucks.

Black Towns Face Threats From Flooding and Buyouts
Many of the historic towns would disappear if flood buyout programs force residents to relocate.

Finger-Pointing Around Outreach Campaign for Southern California Toll Road
To sway public opinion, the Orange County toll road agency hired a group of consultants. Critics say the cost and service delivered aren’t acceptable.

Opinion: Even the Green New Deal Repeats the Same Old Sprawling Mistakes
With infrastructure and housing prices in the national discussion more than ever before, the federal government still doesn't seem ready to really change its ways.
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