Government / Politics

Beach Driving

Texan Offers Very Texan Plan for the Coast of Texas

In a new book, lawyer Jim Blackburn suggests that engaging private landowners is the only way to manage the coast of his home state.

January 2, 2018 - Offcite via The Urban Edge

facades of victorian style residences in San Francisco

The Landlord's Case for Stronger Rent Control

A small San Francisco landlord argues for repealing state restrictions on rent control.

January 2, 2018 - San Francisco Chronicle

Popular but Controversial Seattle Express Toll Lanes Face Possible Termination

The two-year-old I-405 express toll lanes are actually a trial. It's up to the legislature to decide whether they will be permanent. Two metrics were laid out: revenue and performance, but there's controversy there as well.

December 30, 2017 - KIRO Radio

Gilpin County, Colorado

Colorado Tax Mandates Will Continue to Hurt Rural Areas

When home values rise, the state constitution requires cuts to residential tax rates that severely impact less-developed areas.

December 30, 2017 - The Denver Post

Bike and Bus Lane

What's Next for Bike Advocates?

Wondering what's on the agenda for bike advocates these days? The San Francisco Bike Coalition that just released a Strategic Plan that will direct political actions in 2018 and beyond.

December 29, 2017 - San Francisco Bike Coalition

Austin

How Anti-Urban State Legislatures Hurt Cities

Creating a new version of the "haves" and the "have nots," Richard Florida distinguishes cities struggling against state-level anti-urban policies from cities that get more support from the state.

December 29, 2017 - CityLab

Double Trucks

Movement Toward Mileage Fee Gains Momentum in U.K. with Truck Fee

British trucker calls for a level playing field with 'continental trucks' that may pay no diesel duty is one impetus for the vehicle miles traveled fee that would also consider emissions. The Transport Department stresses it would not apply to cars.

December 28, 2017 - The Times

Only Bay Area Voters Support State's New 12-cent Gas Tax

According to a UC Berkeley poll released Dec. 22, 52% of likely voters statewide would support either of two initiatives that hope to be placed on the ballot next November to repeal the gas tax that took effect Nov. 1, while 43% would retain the tax.

December 27, 2017 - The Mercury News

Affordable Housing

More Fallout on Affordable Housing from Tax Bill

While the low income housing tax credit was retained, banks will be much less willing to purchase them due to their reduced corporate tax rate. That's just one way H.R. 1 will exacerbate divisions between the rich and poor in America's cities.

December 27, 2017 - The New York Times

For Rent

Has the Rental Market Peaked? If So, That's Good News for Low-Income Renters

A new Harvard study reports that the rental market began to decline this year, and may continue to drop as higher income renters become homeowners. However, the report was released a week before the GOP tax cuts bill was signed.

December 26, 2017 - Business Insider

PATH Train

Financing of Hudson River Rail Tunnels in Peril

A funding agreement between New York, New Jersey, and the U.S. DOT for one of the most important rail projects in the nation is in danger of collapsing because of the way the two states are financing their share of the $12.9 billion cost.

December 26, 2017 - Crain's New York Business

White House

The Most Popular Posts of 2017

All the planning news that's fit to print.

December 26, 2017 - James Brasuell

Caribou and Brooks Range, Arctic NWR

Drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Allowed with Passage of GOP Tax Bill

When President Trump signs the tax-cutting bill, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) will have achieved a family dream of opening up the pristine refuge, created 37 years ago, to drilling.

December 24, 2017 - The New Yorker

Developers Allege Conspiracy to Thwart Waterfront Development in New Jersey

A lawsuit claims that the town of Edgewater and its most prolific developer worked together to defeat a proposal for yet another high-rise development with views of Manhattan

December 24, 2017 - The New York Times

Hurricane Sandy

Moody’s: Climate Change Will Affect Your Credit Rating

The agency has created an economic incentive for cities, states and counties to deal with environmental threats.

December 21, 2017 - NPR

Chicago Bungalows

Cook County Assessor Sued for Assessments 'Perpetuating Institutional Racism'

Joseph Berrios, Cook County assessor, is believed to have defrauded home-owners in majority minority neighborhoods. Now Berrios faces a lawsuit.

December 20, 2017 - Chicago Tribune

Mansion

Home Ownership Subsidy Takes a $250,000 Hit in Final Version of Tax Bill

The current mortgage interest deduction is $1 million. The House version of the tax bill called for a $500,000 cap while the Senate left it untouched. They split the difference and capped it at $750,000. Congress is expected to pass H.R. 1 this week

December 20, 2017 - The New York Times

Texas State Capitol building

Huge Toll Lane Setback in Texas

In a landmark, unanimous vote, the Texas Transportation Commission eliminated all 15 express lane projects from their 10-year capital plan despite pleas from Austin area officials to retain the $8 billion, I-35 project that includes four toll lanes.

December 19, 2017 - Austin American-Statesman

Apartment Construction

D.C. Steps in to Buy At-Risk Affordable Housing

In the interest of preserving affordable supply, the District can purchase apartment buildings that would otherwise sell to private developers.

December 19, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Capitol Hill

What the Final Tax Reform Bill Has in Store for Housing and Development

The final version of the tax reform bill included some surprises with regard to housing and infrastructure funding mechanisms threatened in previous version of the bill.

December 18, 2017 - American Planning Association

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.

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

Senior Planner

Eagle County Government

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