Government / Politics

Against Opposition, Arkansas Highways Expand
Although many local activists and officials oppose the trend, Arkansas state planners are considering major highway expansions in the Little Rock area. The state's highway department has demonstrated a pro-car, pro-suburb agenda.

Visions of Revitalization Compete in Baltimore
A grassroots housing plan in Baltimore would keep control over neighborhood revitalization, and its benefits, in communities.

Oregon Governor Kicks Off State Gas Tax Campaign in Eugene's Bus Rapid Transit
A transportation funding proposal including a gas tax will be prepared for the 2017 legislative session. The media event in the EmX bus highlighted the need to have continuous, dedicated lanes for the Eugene-Springfield bus rapid transit system.
Facebook's Live Video Has Consequences for Local Governments
Localities face differing requirements from state to state when it comes to using social media. Are you ready for live video?

How Planning Fails to Make Women-Friendly Urban Places
Planning decisions overwhelmingly don't address women's needs, according to an article in The Huffington Post.

Barriers to Integration Come Down Slowly in Wealthy, White Suburban Enclaves
Beware of possible code words like "character" and "flavor" when it comes to community resistance to multifamily housing or increased density. Case in point, Garden City, Long Island.

Inside the Detroit Bankruptcy
On bookshelves today, Detroit Resurrected: To Bankruptcy and Back provides inside baseball details of how the city of Detroit managed to recover from the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.
Expected Budget Cuts Hurt Port Modernization Prospects in Anchorage
The Alaska Legislature snubbed the Port of Anchorage due to a huge state budget shortfall. The port handles 90 percent of the state's freight and is a vital national security facility.
Paris Climate Agreement Signed, but Troubles Loom in the U.S.
On Earth Day, NPR looked at the intersection of the Paris Climate Agreement, which Secretary of State John Kerry signed at the U.N. on Friday, and President Obama's Clean Power Plan which has been given a pause by the Supreme Court.

New Jersey Democrats Propose Hiking Gas Tax in Tradeoff for Estate Tax Reduction
The estate tax reduction, plus increasing the retirement income tax exemption, would be traded for an unspecified hike in the gas tax to keep the Transportation Trust Fund solvent. But the $400 million in tax cuts won't satisfy Gov. Chris Christie.

Latest Budget Shortfall Hits Highway Projects in Kansas
In an effort to curb spending by $300 million in the next 15 months, the state of Kansas is considering spending cuts that could hit highway projects and universities. This is the fourth time in two years the state's revenues have fallen short of pro

Governor Who Vetoed Gas Tax Increase Happy to Use New Revenue for Road Construction
Among the ten state legislatures, mostly Republican controlled, which passed gas tax increases last year, the one that stood out the most was Nebraska's because it had to override Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) veto of the six-cent gas tax hike bill.

Primaries vs. Caucuses from a Planner's Perspective
In the middle of presidential primary season, the debate about the caucus vs. primary processes is hot with criticisms being leveled on both sides. What can planners learn about this debate to help improve community engagement for planning?

New York MTA Departs the American Public Transportation Association
Could the cancellation the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority's membership in the American Public Transportation Association be the wakeup call the transit industry needs?
From Ideas to Action: Cheaply, Quickly, Fairly
Applying ideas of Lean Urbanism to the charrette process can establish an agreement about values and rules for planning in ways that make it renewable.

New York Subway Stumps Both New York Democratic Candidates
Bernie Sanders may have retained his Brooklyn accent, but his knowledge of the subway seems to have stopped 13 years ago. And Chappaqua resident Hillary Clinton obviously hasn't ridden the subway in ages (if at all) based on her 'swiping' technique.
Many Benefits Expected for Changes to Rockaway Community
Officials see chance to move residents out of flood zone, improving access to beach, and deliver affordable housing and infrastructure.
HUD's Resilience Revolution
The United States Housing and Urban Development agency is utilizing new ways to empower communities to become resilient ones. The agency's National Disaster Resilience Competition is one way they are helping cities around the U.S. achieve just that.

Los Angeles Looking for New Planners, New Community Plans
Mayor Eric Garcetti has announced his commitment to the planning process in Los Angeles by proposing a program that would hire new planners and launch new planning efforts at the community level.
Seattle Mulls Selling Surplus Open Space
A 13-acre site considered excess by the city of Seattle could be sold to the highest bidder or become a park
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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