Congress needs to do more than fund the status quo in its next infrastructure bill, whenever that long-promised bill becomes a reality.

Democratic leadership is negotiating with President Trump over a $2 trillion-dollar infrastructure bill, but exactly what makes it into the bill will have a tremendous impact on the environment and the country's ability to maintain its transportation resources. While those negotiations have again stalled, the eventual outcome of this bill will have a huge impact. "The country must prioritize measures that shift commuters toward transit while fixing decaying bridges and essential roadways that are a public safety risk if neglected any longer, said the authors of the U.S. PIRG Education Fund study," Aaron Short reports.
The authors of that study write that rather than focusing on expensive to build and maintain auto infrastructure, the country must spend on more cycling, transit and walking. "In the past, lawmakers didn’t worry that building an interstate highway system could lead to sprawling neighborhoods, polluted air that triggers asthma attacks, and a dependency on fossil fuels that we’ve been unable to kick for more than a half century," Short argues. Beyond active transit the author’s of the study argue for a greater focus on water infrastructure, arguing that the issue's importance is only likely to grow.
FULL STORY: There’s a Right Way to Spend Trillions on Infrastructure

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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