Government / Politics

As Mayor John Street's eight-year term comes to a close, it's clear he has accomplished much locally, but how much has the city's reputation really improved?

February 6, 2006 - Philadelphia City Paper

Only one day after President Bush used the State of the Union address to promote alternative energy sources, his energy secretary and national economic adviser are backing away from the comments, saying, 'the president didn't mean it literally.'

February 3, 2006 - Knight-Ridder Washington Bureau

Armed with 14,000 signatures, a community group petitions to restrict city's eminent domain authority to a 'strictly defined public use'.

February 2, 2006 - San Diego Union Tribune

In advance of President George W. Bush's State of the Union address, William Rivers Pitt looks at widespread poverty and the ruins of New Orleans to state, "the state of this union is not good."

February 2, 2006 - Truthout

In his state of the union address, President Bush says the U.S. is "addicted to oil" and alternate energy source will break its dependence.

February 1, 2006 - CNN

Despite early promises to support a swift recovery after Hurricane Katrina, slow Federal cleanup of debris and inadequate provision of suitable housing for evacuees are slowing rebuilding efforts.

January 30, 2006 - The Washington Post

Tom Thompson argues that eminent domain has been abused throughout U.S. history.

January 29, 2006 - The Seattle Times

In order to avoid creating 'another bureaucracy', Bush does not support creation of a federal corporation to purchase and redevelop damaged homes.

January 28, 2006 - The Advocate

Former Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Fred Salvucci defends the Big Dig and calls for the State to honor its transit commitments.

January 27, 2006 - The Boston Globe

Strategists take note as Virginia’s new governor tackles sprawl. Could "smart growth" tip the next presidential election?

January 26, 2006 - Michigan Land Use Institute

Is there an inherent bias in the geographic and racial-ethnic patterns of Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) boards?

January 24, 2006 - The Brookings Institution

Conservative leader Stephen Harper, who will become Canada's new prime minister has promised to opt out of the Kyoto treaty.

January 24, 2006 - Calgary Sun

While L.A. searched for a new planning director to help implement Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's vision of a new L.A., one based on smart growth and higher densities, longtime area planner Mark Winogrond did more than keep the seat warm as City Planning director.

January 24, 2006 - The Planning Report

A citizens' group, angered over the Supreme Court's recent controversial eminent domain decision, is seeking to use the new law to evict Supreme Court Justice David Souter from his own home.

January 24, 2006 - Common Dreams

Successful litigation by a Sierra Club chapter in California's Central Valley results in $17.5 million to purchase conservation easements in San Joaquin County, as well as the establishment of a farmland preservation fee in the City of Stockton.

January 23, 2006 - The Stockton Record

Philadelphia's Civic Coalition on Slots hopes not, seeking to force future casinos in the neighborhood to pay for millions of dollars worth of community improvements.

January 23, 2006 - Philadelphia Weekly

Across the nation, developers and city officials warn that weakening eminent domain could undermine rehabilitation of cities.

January 20, 2006 - The New York Times

State governors are risking their political capital on mega-fix-it projects at the statewide level, from the "Trans-Texas Corridor" to a $222 billion California infrastructure improvement plan.

January 19, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Stephen A. Hammer argues that Bloomberg should take cues from the London Spatial Development Strategy, which creates a "coherent, long-term vision" for the city.

January 19, 2006 - The Gotham Gazette

Harold Meyerson argues that thanks to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, transportation and land use in the City of Angels now focuses on the public sector, not the private realm, as the Mayor takes on a strong central identity heretofore lacking.

January 17, 2006 - The Washington Post