Government / Politics
Electric Vehicle Fees: Where's the Controversy?
Some may find it silly to get worked up over an annual fee of about $100 to pay for road maintenance when electric vehicle purchasers receive a $7,500 federal tax credit, on top of generous state perks, but electric vehicle supporters object to them.
Incentives and Non-Traditional Strategies Solving Common City Problems
Small reminders and suggestions can add up to big changes for cities that "nudge" citizens.
Rust Belt Cities Shouldn't Demolish Their Way to the Future
In a piece for CityLab, Richey Pipparinen argues that trigger-happy city officials need to slow down their push to demolish homes.
Uncertain Future for Electric Vehicles if Fuel Efficiency Standards Relaxed
The U.S. EPA has signaled that it will withdraw an earlier decision to maintain the 54.5 miles per gallon target. Should that happen, a major casualty will be electric vehicles, according to one prominent EV advocate interviewed on NPR.
U.S. Conference of Mayors Lobbies for Federal Infrastructure Funding
The devil is in the details, as they say. That will be especially true as Congress and the Trump Administration decide how to allocate infrastructure spending around the county.
Legal Loophole Will Allow Rollback of Fuel Efficiency Standards
On Tuesday, the Trump administration anticipates unraveling two signature Obama environmental regulations: fuel efficiency standards for model year 2022-2025 light-duty vehicles and beginning the undoing of the Clean Power Plan.
Los Angeles Planning Reforms Respond to Measure S
Councilmember José Huizar weighs the city's new rules against those proposed by the upcoming ballot measure.
Rome's Urban Planning Chief Quits in Stadium Dispute
Paolo Berdini, Rome's councilor for urban planning, has resigned from his position after clashing with the city's mayor over a new soccer stadium for AS Roma.
EPA Administrator Withdraws Methane Emissions Requirement
No surprise here. Scott Pruitt agreed with nine state attorney generals, including his replacement in Oklahoma, to reverse a request enacted by his predecessor to require oil and gas drillers to record information on the release of methane emissions.
California Investing In 'Transformative Climate Communities'
The California Strategic Growth Council has $140 million in cap-and-trade revenue for the new Transformative Climate Community program. The aim of the program is to catalyze environmental and economic investment in disadvantaged communities.
The Environmental Regulation Overturned by the New Interior Secretary on Day One
A dramatic entrance on horseback preceded one of Ryan Zinke's first actions as Secretary of the Department of Interior—rescinding guidance issued by the Fish & Wildlife Service to phase out the use of toxic, lead ammunition on federal lands.
Miami Beach's Floating Billboards: A Nuisance on Water
The picturesque ocean front of Miami Beach is being sullied by digital billboards now floating off shore on boats, outside the reach of the city's authority.
President Trump's $1 Trillion Infrastructure Plan Just Became More Costly
While he has yet to explain how he would pay for the plan, the 'anti-regulation' president did add a costly and controversial requirement on Tuesday — a 'Buy America' provision that likely extends beyond the existing regulation.
U.S. Cities Brace to Lose Infrastructure Funding Over Immigration Policies
Politico explores some of the projects that could be scrapped as a result of being located in sanctuary cities.
Placemaking: Geek Niche or the Root of Pretty Much Everything?
Placemaking: what does the term really mean? And how it can most effectively serve the needs of the most people. Scott Doyon shares some ideas.
Why Aren't We Building Middle Income Housing?
For low-income residents in high-cost areas, there's no substitute for the public sector to provide below-market rate housing. But for middle-income households, the market should be able to produce housing without subsidy. So why doesn't this happen?
More than Twenty Bills Introduced in Texas Legislature to Stop High-Speed Rail
The California high-speed rail project is not alone in confronting legal and political obstacles. The main issue in Texas that has aroused opposition to the privately financed, 240-mile Dallas to Houston bullet train is the use of eminent domain.
Texas Road Subsidies Take Toll on General Fund
Diverting billions of dollars of sales tax revenue from the state's general fund to the Texas Department of Transportation is taking a toll on other programs that lawmakers must fund.
Seattle Considering a First-Ever Renters' Commission
In Seattle, about 54 percent of the households rent their homes, but they have few places to collectively voice their opinions on critical matters like rent control, move-in fees, and transit. Some city councilmembers hope to change that, however.
A Warning About the Threat to the Endangered Species Act
The Los Angeles Times Editorial Board issues a strong critique of ongoing Republican efforts to gut the Endangered Species Act.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
