The state legislature has largely reversed Gov. DeWine's cuts to public transit in the state, but advocates argue the new plan doesn't go far enough to address the needs of transit-dependent residents.

The Ohio House of Representatives has restored much of the funding that Governor Mike DeWine proposed cutting from public transit in the state, prompting optimism on the part of transit advocates who want to see more investment in the sector. Tyler Buchanan, reporting for the Ohio Capital Journal, writes that "Transportation Committee Chair Stephanie Kunze, R-Hilliard, announced the Senate’s plan allocates more money to public transportation than the House plan, with the total funding coming to nearly $70 million per year." Amanda Woodrum, a senior researcher with Policy Matters Ohio, called the increase "a solid step in the right direction," but "the amount is still much less than many advocates believe is necessary to sustain Ohio’s transit systems for the future." The state also expects some investment from the federal American Rescue Plan, which allocates $30 billion to the nation's public transportation systems.
Stu Nicholson, executive director of All Aboard Ohio, a group working to build support for public transportation, "proposes a legislative task force look into finding a long-term, dedicated source of funding for public transportation." Dave Greenspan, a former state lawmaker who now lobbies for MetroHealth System, agreed on the need for more investment in public transit, calling it a "lifeline connecting residents to jobs, shopping and health care." Environmental advocates also want to see the state reduce or eliminate the $100-$200 fees on hybrid and electric vehicles, which legislators argue supports funding transportation infrastructure that has historically relied on a gas tax.
FULL STORY: Ohio Senate plan ramps up public transit funding. Will the increase stay?

Planning for Congestion Relief
The third and final installment of Planetizen's examination of the role of the planning profession in both perpetuating and solving traffic congestion.

Car Noise Is Killing Us
It’s not just traffic collisions that kill—a new study from researcher at Rutgers finds that the loud noises emanating from cars has direct impact on heart health in Americans.

Acceptable Deaths
What can we learn from our Covid response?

New White House Housing Initiative Includes Zoning Reform Incentives
The Biden administration this morning released a new program of actions intended to spur housing construction around the United States.

Fare-Free Transit Hasn’t Reduced Car Trips, Data Says
Fare-free transit isn’t the climate change benefit that many have hoped, according to recent writing by David Zipper for Bloomberg.

Redevelopment Threatens Iconic, Affordable Chicago Homes
The ‘workers’ cottages’ are being replaced with larger, more expensive homes, threatening one of the city’s original forms of affordable housing.
City of Malibu
EMC Planning Group Inc.
Jefferson Parish
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Harvard GSD Executive Education
City of Rohnert Park
City of Hot Springs
City of Lakeway, Texas
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.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.