With Democrats rising to power in the U.S. House of Representatives and the government recently reopened (temporarily at least), it's time to plot the legislative ambitions of the coming session in Congress.

Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) sat down for an interview with Angie Schmitt to lay out expectations for transportation policy as a result of new Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives.
Rep. DeFazio is the chair of the House Transportation Committee, and is thus "perhaps the most powerful person to shape federal transportation policy," according to Schmitt. Rep. DeFazio's track record in Congress, serving since 1987, includes leadership "on issues such as holding designers accountable for unsafe streets and promoting increased protection for women on public transit," according to Schmitt.
The interview ranges from major policy pushes, funding for alternative transportation, the Highway Trust Fund, a potential federal infrastructure bill, and pedestrian safety. Rep. DeFazio opens the interview with a bold statement about the need to move beyond fossil fuels in transportation.
FULL STORY: New House Transportation Chair: ‘We Need to Move Beyond Fossil Fuel’

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package
Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane
The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.
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Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
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