Open space advocates laud Massachusetts governor's efforts to protect public parks from development.
The Romney administration announced that it would "veto any bill requesting the conversion of parkland for other uses, unless an exhaustive state review has been conducted. That review requires cities and towns to show there is no other place to build a school or other facility but on parkland, and also mandates that any lost open space be replaced elsewhere within municipal borders....Particularly in municipalities that are tight on space, portions of parks have been carved up and used for water and sewer lines, police and fire stations, roads, housing, cemeteries, and schools.From now on, cities and towns must make an extra effort to explore alternatives, such as rehabilitating an existing school in a central location, before getting the governor's approval for building a new school in a park...."
Thanks to Connie Chung
FULL STORY: Governor seeks to curb building on public parkland

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

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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