Government / Politics

D.C.'s Dulles Rail Project Seems Unlikely

A planned rail extension that would have connected the Washington D.C. area to Dulles International Airport has been all but killed by a federally-pushed disqualification of the project from receiving critical federal funding.

January 26, 2008 - The Washington Post

Proposal To 'Unbundle' Parking Heads To San Francisco Supervisors

A San Francisco supervisor has proposed several changes in parking regulations that will result in reduced new housing costs, and potentially reduced car ownership and operation. It requires the approval of the Board of Supervisors.

January 25, 2008 - San Francisco Examiner

Report Says Canadian Government Needs to Renew Social Housing Funding

A recent report from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities is calling on the federal government to keep up tis funding of housing and shelter programs after they expire in 2009.

January 25, 2008 - The Vancouver Sun

States Look to Update Tax Systems

This article from Governing looks at the state tax system and examines how states are taking steps to restructure their systems to ensure long-term viability.

January 24, 2008 - Governing

Sky Bridge Gets Approval

The Salt Lake City Planning Commission has approved a controversial plan to build a sky bridge for pedestrians as part of a new mixed use development.

January 24, 2008 - The Salt Lake Tribune

New Orleans Stumbles With Homeless Plan

With booming homelessness since Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is looking to unconventional approaches to handling the issue. But things aren't quite working out as planned.

January 24, 2008 - NPR

Censored: Pro-Transit Section From Commission Study

A pro-transit section, written by noted conservative Paul Weyrich, was excised from the final report, despite being approved by 9-3 majority vote of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission.

January 24, 2008 - The National Corridors Initiative Press Release

Libertarians Prod Kansas City to Forget Light Rail

Libertarian groups Cato Institute and Show-Me Institute are scrambling to convince Kansas City to end talks to consider building a light rail system in the city.

January 23, 2008 - The Kansas City Star

The Bush Administration's 'War on Planning'

The decay of America's infrastructure and the Bush Administration's repeated excuse, "Nobody could have foreseen..." reveals how much of America's planning tradition has been lost to free market ideology, writes Sarah Robinson.

January 23, 2008 - Campaign for America's Future

EPA's Executive Privilege Withholds Documents

In response to a request for documentation about why the EPA recently rejected greenhouse gas regulations in California, the agency has handed over limited and censored documents and citing an executive privilege in doing so.

January 21, 2008 - Associated Press

Transportation Secretary Opposes Call For Gas Tax Increase

In this opinion by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters, she rejects the recommendation by a national transportation commission to increase the gas tax, instead preferring road tolls, congestion pricing, and other private sector investment.

January 21, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

FEMA Trailers Finding New Life

Retired FEMA trailers originally sent to house the displaced after Hurricane Katrina have found new purpose in a government programs that distributes them for use by local municipalities.

January 21, 2008 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Texas Town Forced To Forfeit Land For Border Wall

More than 200 acres of public land in Texas were transferred to the Department of Homeland security on the order of a federal judge. The department sought the land as part of its plan to build hundreds of miles of fences along the U.S.-Mexico border.

January 21, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Not Your Typical Redevelopment Board

With little else to do, teenagers in the rural Indiana town of San Pierre have found a new place to hang out: community meetings. But they're not just hanging out, they are actively participating in the planning and revitalization of their community.

January 21, 2008 - Therese Schmidt

Activist Building Support For Philadelphia Bike-Sharing Program

A community activist in Philadelphia is rallying support to pressure the city to consider a bike-sharing program similar to the Paris Velib system.

January 20, 2008 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Tapping Into the Wisdom of Crowds

In this article, author James Surowiecki discusses the idea that -- contrary to common assumption -- there is a lot of wisdom to be found in crowds.

January 20, 2008 - Scenarios

D.C.'s Airport-Rail Link Threatened By Fears of Another 'Big Dig'

Despite recent findings by consultants that a plan to extend the Washington D.C. metro rail system to Dulles International Airport would qualify for full funding, federal officials are hesitant to approve it, fearing another Big Dig.

January 18, 2008 - The Washington Post

Norway Could Be Carbon-Neutral by 2030

The government of Norway has announced plans to offset all of its carbon emissions by 2030, a goal it had previously set for 2050.

January 18, 2008 - Reuters via Environmental News Network

National Transporation Commission Calls For 40 Cent Gas Tax Increase

The long-awaited report by the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission has finally been released and it's sure to create a stir as it calls for annual increases in the gas tax of 5 to 8 cents for 5 years, and then some.

January 17, 2008 - The Kansas City Star

Vancouver's Transit Funding Spree

British Columbia's Premier Gordon Campbell has announced $14 billion worth of public transit investment.

January 17, 2008 - The Globe and Mail

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