Government / Politics
Oregon Moves to Lift Inclusionary Zoning Ban
By a vote split (nearly) down the party line, the Oregon House passed a bill to end state restrictions on inclusionary zoning. Municipalities may soon be able to require below-market pricing.
Idaho Surprise: Gas Tax Hike Signed Into Law
The legislature passed the seven-cent increase on April 11, the final day of the legislative session. Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed the bill on April 21, also increasing registration fees by $21. On April 1, the bill had been considered dead.
OneNYC Plan Released in New York
Meet the new plan; it's not like the old plan.
Minnesota Shows Creativity on Transportation Sales Taxes
A transportation sales tax can be a designated state or local sales tax where revenues are used for transportation, or a sales tax applied to fuel sales. A bill in Minnesota would grab sales taxes paid on auto parts, car rentals and leases.
Celebrating APA's 2015 National Planning Awards Recipients
A highlight of the APA's National Planning Conference every year—the presentation of the National Planning Excellence and Achievement Awards.
Amsterdam Public Transit's Big Move to All-Electric
Europe is well known for electric powered trams and trains, but cities still operate diesel buses, just like in the United States. That will change in Amsterdam—all diesel buses will be replaced by battery-electrics by 2025, reports Dutch News.
Why So Difficult for States to Raise Gas Taxes? Learning from Alaska and Missouri
Look no further than the state with the lowest gas tax at 11-cents per gallon to see why even when gas prices are at their lowest in five years, it's still a struggle to increase the gas by less than a penny. Missouri may provide a better example.
Will This Bipartisan House Bill to Index the Gas Tax Succeed?
The Bridge to Sustainable Infrastructure Act is taken seriously in Congress. With 17 bipartisan co-sponsors, it would index the gas tax to inflation, thus increasing the Highway Trust Fund revenue and bridging to a sustainable revenue source.
Los Angeles' CAO Shows How Trade-Offs Drive City Budgeting
Yesterday marked the release of the city of Los Angeles Mayor’s Budget for FY 2015-2016, and Chief Administrative Officer Miguel Santana delves into the details.
Foresight and the Built Environment
In the ever changing global landscape, organizations need to anticipate and adapt to shifting circumstances to survive. AJ Artemel spoke to Dr. Gereon Uerz of the Arup Foresight + Innovation team to discuss how this can be realized.
The Conservative Method of Resilience Planning
Explaining how planning and building for resilience reconciles with Conservative politics.
10-Cent Gas Tax Increase Proposed for Road Maintenance in California
SB 16 would also increase the diesel tax (which hasn't been raised in over two decades) by 12-cents, charge electric vehicles a flat $100 annual fee, and increase registration and license fees.
'Broken Windows' Policy Targets Bikes—and Race—in Tampa
An in-depth investigation by the Tampa Bay Times reveals that Blacks on bikes are targeted by police as indicators of larger crimes.
Emergency Crude-by-Rail Safety Orders Take Effect
The emergency rules issued by DOT, including lowering oil-train speeds to 40 mph in urban areas, go into effect on April 20. They are in addition to rules expected to be released May 12 that address oil tanker car construction.
The NBA's Future in Milwaukee Depends on Stadium Financing
A local alderman makes the case for a one percent sales tax dedicated to providing public funding for a new stadium to house the Milwaukee Bucks.
Sacramento Streetcar Funding Reaches Key Goal
Imagine taking a streetcar across Sacramento's iconic Tower Bridge for a three mile trip. Backers are en route to securing matching local funding for the project. However, local voters will have the final say in a June 2 Mello-Roos special election.
'Hooray' for a Six Cents Gas Tax Bill in Missouri
This St. Louis Patch-Dispatch editorial analyzes the legislature as well as the bill to raise gas taxes two-cent a year for three years, taking aim at Republican House members who will be "automatic no votes." Illinois may also increase its gas tax.
Study Examines the Importance of Planning by States and Nation-States
With so much focus on local planning in recent years, what opportunities are there for planning at the state and nation-state level? A new study by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy examines case studies from the United States and Europe.
Ambitious Energy-Efficiency Bill Moving Forward in California
A committee passed a bill written to meet Gov. Jerry Brown's 2030 environmental goals: Reduce oil consumption by 50 percent, require renewables to supply 50 percent of electricity generation, and double energy efficiency in existing buildings.
'Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.'—the DNA of Urban Succession
Don't design for the climax condition if today's marketplace supports something less—and other urban succession ideas.
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.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association
