Government / Politics

Janette Sadik-Khan at Manhattan Bridge Archway opening

Let the Sadik-Khan to the City of __ Rumors Begin

This week, vacancies opened at the top of transportation departments in America's second and third largest cities. Meanwhile, one of the most influential and well respected transportation leaders may soon be out of a job. Let the courtship begin!

November 2, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Will Rob Ford Take Toronto Down With Him?

With the news this week that Toronto police have in their possession the video that allegedly shows him smoking crack, Mayor Rob Ford has been thoroughly disgraced. Marcus Gee argues the scandal threatens "the success of Canada’s biggest city."

November 2, 2013 - The Globe and Mail

Bloomberg's Legacy: Freedom-Hating Nanny or Public Health Visionary?

To his critics, Mayor Bloomberg's initiatives aimed at decreasing smoking, increasing active lifestyles, and tackling obesity add up to the creation of a "Nanny State". A new article challenges the critics by framing him as a public health pioneer.

November 1, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

L.A.'s Top Transportation Official to Resign Following Staff Criticism

Jaime De La Vega, the General Manager of L.A.'s Department of Transportation announced his resignation yesterday effective Dec. 1st. During his two years on the job, the department shifted away from an auto-centric focus to embrace alternative modes.

November 1, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Mainers to Vote on Transportation Bond on Nov. 5

At $100 million, it is the largest of the five bonds on the Nov. 5 ballot. While six other transportation bonds were voted on (and approved) since 2000, the need for this bond comes from a 2011 law that eliminated the indexing of the state gas tax.

November 1, 2013 - Portland Press Herald

Public-Private Partnerships: Trick or Treat?

As localities increasingly pursue public-private partnerships to fund much-needed infrastructure projects, Ryan Holeywell explores the promise and pitfalls of this popular financing arrangement. Are dissenting voices being stifled?

October 31, 2013 - Governing

San Diego's Planning Department Brought Back from the Dead

This week, San Diego's City Council voted to resurrect the city's moribund Planning Department. A government-wide reorganization and energized leadership seem certain to ensure the department won't become a zombie.

October 31, 2013 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Exposing Sprawl's Hidden Costs

A new report sheds light on the costs of suburban sprawl that aren't well understood by officials and residents. If more knew the true financial costs they might reconsider their policies and priorities, believes author Dave Thompson.

October 30, 2013 - The Toronto Star

Brown vs. Brown on the Value of California's Initiative Process

That's Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown and former Calif. Assembly Speaker Willie Brown. In two unrelated L.A. Times articles, Gov. Brown credits the initiative system for making the state governable while former speaker Brown is opposed to direct democracy.

October 30, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Congress Contemplates Cooperating on Infrastructure Spending

Might a recent agreement to fund water projects pave the way for more transportation spending? That's what positive signals out of Washington seem to indicate. Just one small obstacle stands in the way: how to finance road and bridge projects.

October 30, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Missourians May Vote to Increase Sales Tax for Transportation After All

Citizens will attempt to do what the Missouri General Assembly narrowly rejected: raise the sales tax by one percent to fund state, county and city roads as well as public transit. If enough signatures are gathered, it will be on the ballot next year

October 30, 2013 - Kansas City Business Journal

Road Construction

Could a Little Black Box Transform Road Funding in the U.S.?

Southern California's powerful regional planning association is one of the many public agencies across the United States that sees the future of road funding in a new technology called a 'black box'.

October 29, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

San Diego Incubates Civic Innovation

One of Bob Filner's better ideas during his short time as mayor was to establish a Civic and Urban Initiatives program, a think tank to spur innovation and civic engagement. Thankfully this program will outlive Filner's disgraceful departure.

October 28, 2013 - Voice of San Diego

As Electric Vehicles "Lose Their Spark" State Governments Try to Give a Jump-Start

Kirk Kardashian examines the headwinds confronting the much-hyped, but poorly selling, E.V. industry in the aftermath of a disappointing year. Meanwhile California, New York and six other states have announced plans to help energize sales.

October 28, 2013 - The New Yorker

Port Truckers Strike over Clean-Air Regulations

Nonunion truckers at the Port of Oakland are on a work-stoppage over both work rules and compliance with a 2008 CARB diesel regulation requiring drayage trucks to be 2007 or newer. They want a year extension and more funding to assist in compliance.

October 27, 2013 - San Francisco Chronicle

With Vote by City Council, Sacramento to Become Healthier and More Bike Friendly

More bike corrals, bike sharing, and parklets are on the way to the Golden State's capital thanks to the city council's unanimous vote on Oct. 22 with support from cyclists, pedestrians, businesses, and the regional air district.

October 25, 2013 - The Sacramento Bee

What's in the Water? House Overwhelmingly Approves Infrastructure Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives has nearly unanimously passed a new bill! While that's news in itself, the bill facilitates infrastructure improvements (water-oriented in this case), an often divisive issue.

October 25, 2013 - Governing

How the U.S. Became a Unique "Nation of Homezoners”

Exceptionalism is a word often associated with the U.S., most often with foreign policy. Sonia Hirt of VPI argues that since its inception American zoning has also taken a unique form compared to European counterparts.

October 23, 2013 - JPER

How States Can Combat Affordable Housing NIMBYs

The U.S. is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis. But as the landmark Mount Laurel saga illustrates, many communities object to developing such housing. Corianne Payton Scally argues that states should work harder to promote such projects.

October 23, 2013 - Rooflines

Young Candidates Ride Anti-Sprawl Rhetoric to Mayoral Victories in Alberta

On Monday, Calgary elected anti-sprawl crusader Naheed Nenshi to a second term as Mayor. And in Edmonton, 34-year-old Don Iveson, "an up-and-coming hot shot of the same vein of progressive politics", was elected to replace the city's retiring mayor.

October 23, 2013 - The Globe and Mail

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