Wealthy communities are incorporating their own cities, draining tax revenue and resources away from surrounding neighborhoods.

In a piece for Bloomberg CityLab, Luisa Godinez-Puig and Brian D. Smedley outline the results of their research on the secession of often wealthy, white communities from larger municipalities, such as the secession of the new city of St. George from East Baton Rouge Parish in Louisiana last month. “What we’ve found is that these secessions perpetuate modern-day segregation and limit opportunity for left-behind communities, a form of opportunity hoarding that we call ‘white fortressing.’”
According to the authors, ‘opportunity hoarding’ concentrates public resources in already advantaged areas and limits access to opportunities for other residents. “In Louisiana, it is estimated that St. George’s secession would take away $48.3 million in annual tax revenue from East Baton Rouge Parish — nearly 8% of the parish’s total tax revenue.”
Research also shows that having more governments in a certain geographic area has negative health impacts on Black, but not white, Americans. Meanwhile, “In both Louisiana and Georgia, only citizens inside the boundary of the proposed new city get to vote by referendum, even if the incorporation would decimate the tax revenue for the surrounding community.”
FULL STORY: The New ‘White Fortress’ Cities of the American South

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.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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