Government / Politics

Atlanta Creek

Environmental Impact Bond to Fund Atlanta Watershed Projects

The bonds finance new green infrastructure projects that otherwise would be considered too risky.

March 24, 2019 - Next City

Recreational Vehicle

Bipartisan Support for Federal Diesel Emissions Reduction Bill

Established in 2005 to reduce toxic diesel emissions, the Diesel Emissions Reductions Act expired in 2016. A bipartisan effort appears to be in place to see it reauthorized this year.

March 23, 2019 - Transport Topics

Culvert

Washington State Needs Funding to Address Culvert Issue

Orcas and tribes depend on salmon, but culverts are blocking the fish from reaching breeding grounds. The state is struggling to come up with funding to remove and repair the infrastructure.

March 23, 2019 - Crosscut

Detroit Skyline

Jeep Plant Isn't Getting a Warm Reception From Detroit Residents

Fiat Chrysler’s plan for a new Jeep plant in Detroit is off to a rocky start.

March 23, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

San Diego Trolley

San Diego Unbundles Parking, Eliminates Parking Minimums and Sets Maximums

In addition to replacing parking minimums with parking maximums of one space per unit in transit corridors, the city council went a step further by requiring unbundling, that is, requiring separate payment for parking from the housing.

March 22, 2019 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Chicago Street

Report Identifies Priorities for Chicago's Mobility Future

A new mobility task force report looks to guide the city toward a more multimodal transportation system that addresses accessibility and congestion.

March 22, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Rain On Pavement

Detroit Drainage Fees Are Hitting Residents Hard

The city says the increased fees that many people are seeing reflect a more equitable billing system, but residents argue the charges are unfair.

March 22, 2019 - Bridge

California Freeway

Bill Would Phase-Out Most Diesel Emissions in California

The bill is directed at the medium and heavy-duty trucking industry, which, along with buses, account for 90 percent of the state's toxic diesel exhaust. Diesel emissions would need to be reduced by 80 percent by 2050. Will electric trucks be ready?

March 21, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Fracking

Michigan Gov. Whitmer Proposes 45-Cent Gas Tax Hike in First Budget

Gretchen Whitmer has outdone the new Democratic governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, who proposed a 20 cents tax hike. Like Walz's budget, gas tax revenue would replace some general funds directed to road spending, thus benefiting other state programs.

March 21, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

Rent

California Lawmakers Seek New Ways to Relieve High Rents

Legislators are trying to chip away at the law that restricts tenant protections around the state.

March 21, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Dallas Area Rapid Transt

Dallas DOT Brings New Mobility Vision to the Region

The agency’s director wants to change the city’s transportation priorities and provide more mobility options to residents.

March 20, 2019 - Next City

Tenants' Rights

More States Look to Expand Tenant Protections

Cities and states around the country are reconsidering decades-old bans on rent control.

March 20, 2019 - Governing

Trump Adminsitration

Scrutiny for HUD Secretary Ben Carson's Schedule

Housing and Urban Development Secretary ben Carson has outlasted most of the original Trump cabinet, but maybe it's because he follows his boss's example so well when it comes to scheduling his time.

March 20, 2019 - NBC News

New mexico Power

New Mexico Legislation Charts Path Away From Coal, But It Won't Be Easy

The Energy Transition Act passed the New Mexico state House on March 12 and heads to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, the state's new Democratic governor who supports clean energy, but losing a coal plant early causes far-reaching economic impacts.

March 19, 2019 - Santa Fe New Mexican

Los Angeles Homeless

The Battle for Public Space: Business Owners vs. Homeless Residents

The role of business improvement districts in criminalizing homelessness reflects a tension between private interests and public space, Rob Waters writes.

March 18, 2019 - Next City

Los Angeles River

Concrete’s Contribution to the Rise and Decline of Civilization

As the world becomes more encased in concrete, the detrimental effects of its widespread use are increasing in scale and severity.

March 17, 2019 - The Guardian

San Francisco Sprawl

Amendments to Sen. Wiener's 'More HOMES Act' Address Jobs-Housing Balance

"Jobs-rich area," a new term that targets some suburban regions, is among amendments added March 11 to Senate Bill 50, the reincarnation of Wiener's controversial SB 827 housing bill that died last year.

March 16, 2019 - San Francisco Examiner

Madrid Pedestrian Street

Car Ban in Madrid Boosted Retail Sales, Study Shows

An analysis of retail data suggests that vehicle restrictions in the city center led to more sales and less emissions.

March 16, 2019 - Forbes

Jersey Shore

11.6 Percent Tax on Short-Term Rentals Creating Summer Tourism Concerns

A new tax on short-term rentals went into effect in New Jersey in October, so it hasn't had a chance to impact the summer tourism on the Jersey Shore yet.

March 14, 2019 - The New York Times

Highway 65 Construction

Proposed Gas Tax Hike Exposes Minnesota's Road Subsidy

After Minnesota's new Democratic Gov. Tim Walz proposed a 20-cents gas tax hike over two years, even leaders in his own party were caught off-guard, but one-third of the tax increase will replace the diversion of general funds to roads.

March 14, 2019 - Minnesota Public Radio News

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

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.