Government / Politics

Single-Family Housing Construction

A First Look at the Proposed 2020 Census

The 2020 Census is fast approaching, and this week the Census Bureau crossed a major item of its to-do list in preparation for the next census by presenting its list proposed questions to Congress.

March 29, 2017 - U.S. Census Bureau

Scott Pruitt

California Is 'Recruiting' U.S. EPA Employees

Under the Trump Administration, federal employees dedicated to causes like climate change mitigation face uncertain prospects. They could turn to accommodating state governments.

March 28, 2017 - High Country News

Methane

California Approves Nation's Toughest Methane Emissions Rule

While Congress is attempting to roll back a federal regulation on methane emissions, the California Air Resources Board approved a landmark rule that regulates methane emissions from onshore and offshore oil and gas production and storage facilities.

March 27, 2017 - San Francisco Chronicle

Staten Island Ferry

State Legislation to Pressure New York City for Property Tax Reform

New York City's property tax system is a growing source of political consternation, and now state legislators have entered the fray.

March 27, 2017 - SI Live

Carpool Lane Sticker

Vehicle Emission Standards Showdown Looming Between California and U.S. EPA

A legal battle is looming between the nation's two most powerful environmental regulators after the California Air Resources Board on Friday defied President Trump by approving vehicle fuel efficiency standards that Trump has promised to ease.

March 27, 2017 - The New York Times

W-S_125_pipe_yard

President Trump Approves Construction of Keystone XL Pipeline from Alberta to Nebraska

Following through on a January executive action, President Trump announced Friday that he was approving the oil pipeline that his predecessor had rejected over a year ago. Oil is already flowing from Steele City, Nebraska to Gulf Coast refineries.

March 27, 2017 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

Finding Hope In Challenging Times

Despite depressing U.S. federal politics, there are many encouraging planning trends if you look internationally and locally.

March 26, 2017 - Todd Litman

Can Insurance Markets Jump-Start Resilience?

Risk-management experts are seeking creative ways to finance resilience investments that prevent damage from natural disasters. Insurance markets, with their direct stake in protecting homes and businesses, can be key partners in this effort.

March 24, 2017 - Doggerel

I-70 Tunnel

Transportation Sales Tax Advances in Colorado Legislature

A bill to ask voters in November to increase the state sales tax by 0.62 percent to fund transportation projects passed its first House committee March 22 on a partisan vote, with Democrats in support and Republican opposed.

March 24, 2017 - The Colorado Independent

Wind Turbines

Surprising Trump Effect: Many States Seek to Ramp-Up Renewable Energy Mandates

As President Trump rolls back climate and energy regulations, many states are attempting to require utilities to get more power from renewable sources. Also, fewer states are attempting to reduce or eliminate renewable energy requirements.

March 24, 2017 - E&E News [Subscription]

Texas State Capital

Texas Bill to Slow Property Tax Increases Advances

The Texas Senate has approved Senate Bill 2, which would require a vote to raise property taxes beyond 5 percent—lowered from the current threshold of 8 percent.

March 23, 2017 - Dallas News

President Donald Trump

APA Opposes Trump's Proposed Federal Budget

The American Planning Association has been outspoken in its opposition to the cuts proposed by the, still speculative, budget proposed by the Trump Administration.

March 23, 2017 - American Planning Association

Halloween

Sesame Street vs. Donald Trump

Sesame Street, which would lose federal support if some of the cuts proposed by the Trump Administration's draft budget go into effect, has been lampooning Donald Trump since long before he became president.

March 22, 2017 - The Boston Globe

Boise Bike Lane

Should People Who Bike Pay Their Own Way, and How?

A common refrain among politicians who oppose bike infrastructure investments is that people who bike don't pay for those projects. What's a bike advocate to do?

March 21, 2017 - Urban Milwaukee

Tappan Zee Bridge

A Better Way to Compare Cities

An online tool released three weeks ago by the Chicago Federal Reserve allows a more nuanced comparison between peer cities.

March 21, 2017 - Forbes

Tackling the Design Profession's Gender Equity Problem

With increasing awareness and discussion about the gender gap apparent across most of Corporate America, this article explores how the Architecture and Engineering industry is seeking to close the gap and empower women.

March 20, 2017 - Doggerel

Water

Trump Budget's Devastating Effect on the EPA and Two of America's Greatest Water Resources

President Trump's budget for 2018 has the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency take the steepest hit—31 percent. Funding for two vital programs, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and Chesapeake Bay Program, will have their funds eliminated.

March 20, 2017 - E&E News [Subscription]

Salton Sea

California's Plan to Save the Salton Sea

The Salton Sea is drying up, and California is poised to spend $383 million to keep that from happening. At stake are Colorado River water negotiations between California, Arizona, and Nevada.

March 20, 2017 - The Desert Sun

HUD

HUD: The Basics on an Embattled Agency

HUD has a complicated and controversial history, and it's all coming into play as the Trump Administration proposes funding cuts and installs problematic leadership.

March 20, 2017 - Curbed

For Fracking's Sake, Another 'Burdensome' Environmental Regulation Repealed

The first and only federal regulation overseeing the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing on federal lands has been withdrawn upon orders issued by Ryan Zinke, the Secretary of the Interior.

March 20, 2017 - E&E News [Subscription]

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.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

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100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

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