The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act earlier this month. Transit advocates say the bill reinforces the car-centric status quo.

"The latest COVID-19 relief bill perpetuates some of the worst aspects of American transportation policy — and barely acknowledged how our transportation realities have shifted in the wake of the pandemic," according to Kea Wilson's assessment of the HEROES Act.
The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act has been approved by Democrats in the House of Representatives, but Senate Republicans have been less than supportive, so the bill is likely to change substantially if it is approved.
Among the spending included in the proposed $3 trillion bill are $15 billion for the Federal Highway Administration to distribute to transportation departments across the country and $16 billion for public transit. "Advocates quickly questioned both numbers — the former because it was too large, and the latter because it was too small," according to Wilson.
As explained by Wilson, the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials has been lobbying for funding to deal with anticipated shortages of transportation revenues as people stay home and drive less at unprecedented levels. Planetizen has covered news about expected gas tax revenue declines in Missouri and California.
On the transit side, the American Public Transportation Association earlier this month requested $23.8 billion in emergency funds to support public transit, so the HEROES Act falls far short.

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

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

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

‘Displaced By Design:’ Report Spotlights Gentrification in Black Neighborhoods
A new report finds that roughly 15 percent of U.S. neighborhoods have been impacted by housing cost increases and displacement.

Nevada and Utah Groups Oppose Public Land Sell-Off Plan
A set of last-minute amendments to the budget reconciliation bill open up over half a million acres of federally managed land to sales.

More Than a Park: A Safe Haven for Generations in LA’s Chinatown
Alpine Recreation Center serves as a vital cultural and community hub in Los Angeles' Chinatown, offering a safe, welcoming space for generations of Chinese American residents to gather, connect, and thrive amidst rapid urban change.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions