Gov. DeSantis signed a transportation law that complicates the process for lane reductions, despite the rising number of pedestrian deaths in the state.
In a move that politicizes road safety, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that both accelerates funding for major transportation projects and complicates the public process for road diet and lane adjustment projects. “This, DeSantis said, was needed to prevent ‘activists’ from promoting congestion on roads to convince people to give up gas-powered cars.”
Florida has the distinction of being the deadliest state for cyclists and ranks third in pedestrian deaths.
As Gray Rohrer explains in Florida Politics, “The bill prevents public transportation agencies from using state funds for marketing or advertising on public vehicles. DeSantis suggested that such funds could be used to push diversity, equity and inclusion or other progressive ideology, but didn’t cite an example of that happening in Florida.”
Another provision bars state funding for airports, seaports, or other transportation agencies that enact Covid-19 mask mandates.
Read the full story: Gov. DeSantis signs measure to hurry transportation projects, clamp down on ‘activism’ on roads
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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MTA gives itself 30 days to transform pit into basketball court
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FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
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Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
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Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
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