Government / Politics

Colorado Springs Drafts New Regional Annexation Plan
A regional planning proposal in El Paso County, Colorado calls for uniform standards for unincorporated developments, which would make it easier to receive city services if annexed in the future.

HUD Has Money for Tenant Organizing. Why Isn’t the Agency Spending It?
HUD can provide $10 million to tenant organizers each year, but the funding has largely gone unspent since the early 2000s. Will that change with a new administration and newly approved HUD secretary?

Opinion: Washington State Should Stop Funding Freeways
The Urbanist's editorial board calls for an end to highway widening and an increased focus on walking, biking, and transit.

New York's Rent Relief Program Falls Short for Struggling Tenants
Between two rounds of funding, the city of New York has only awarded $7 million of a total $60 million intended for tenant relief.

Anticipation, Costs Rise as Details of Biden's Infrastructure Plan Emerge
The Biden administration's highly anticipated infrastructure spending plan is expected to go public this week. After weeks of speculation about the size and focus of the plan, recent reports reveal a growing package and new revenue streams.

Reopening Schools: CDC Reduces Social Distancing Requirement
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now supports three-foot distancing in elementary school classrooms provided there is universal masking. For middle and high schools, it depends on the level of coronavirus transmission in the community.

Los Angeles Passes New Rent Relief Package
The city will offer a new round of rental assistance to eligible families who owe back rent.

How to Maintain Open Streets After the Pandemic
With more people getting back in their cars, can pedestrian-oriented open streets survive?

As Luxury Rents Drop, Low-Income Tenants Pay More
With increasing pressure on the nation's supply of affordable housing, low- and middle-income renters are seeing their rents go up while higher-quality apartments drop prices to lure back remote workers.

Five Principles for Good Infrastructure
American policymakers could improve the effectiveness of infrastructure projects by focusing on five key elements.

Miami Mayor Wants Federal Funding for Boring Company Tunnel
Mayor Francis Suarez thinks the tunnel could alleviate congestion, but critics argue the city's rising water table makes tunneling too expensive and impractical.

Canadian Supreme Court Upholds Carbon Tax
A historic ruling in Canada allows the federal government to supersede the efforts of provinces in fighting the causes of climate change.

Opinion: America's Infrastructure Doesn't Need a Federal Spending 'Binge'
Despite alarming claims about the nation's roads and bridges, a column in the Chicago Tribune argues that the administration's proposed infrastructure spending doesn't match actual needs.

Opinion: Post-Pandemic Recovery Cannot Privilege Car Owners
Robust investment in the region's public transportation network can ensure a more equitable and sustainable path forward.

Seattle's 'Electrification Blueprint' Sets Ambitious Goals
The city's new transportation plan focuses on eliminating carbon emissions in its transportation sector, reducing congestion, and boosting public transit.

Chuck Schumer Proposes Big Investment in Electric Vehicles
The Senate Majority Leader's plan would pump more than $50 billion into direct incentives for consumers, manufacturers, and property owners.

'Never Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste' and Planning in the Pandemic
The latest in a series of compendia collecting news and commentary focusing on the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on communities.

Case Study: Florida Road Diet Reduces Crashes, Adds Minimal Congestion
A controversial road diet has faced disapproval from local business owners, but data shows a significant reduction in crashes and a minimal increase in congestion.

New Mexico Communities Reflect on Racial Restrictive Covenants
Explicitly racist and exclusionary language remains embedded in many communities' restrictive covenants. State legislators and local leaders want to change that.

Atlanta Passes New Short-Term Rental Rules
Under the new regulations, homeowners must register for a license and collect city hotel taxes for short-term rental properties.
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