A Hartford Courant Op-Ed that calls for smarter, more sensitive growth policies for Connecticut.
"Findings by the three groups...clearly link Connecticut's over reliance on the property tax with suburban and exurban sprawl that eats up precious open land and promotes disinvestment in already developed areas. And the reports show that towns of all types-- suburban, rural and urban--are being hurt....The state's overreliance on property taxation pits local governments against one another in a competition for tax growth that needlessly undermines the character of local communities, wastes resources, discourages cooperation and increases fiscal disparities....Especially hard hit are Connecticut's central cities and urbanized towns. The state's poor are concentrated in cities and towns with inadequate tax bases.....Open land in Connecticut continues to be developed at a dramatic rate."
Thanks to Connie Chung
FULL STORY: Dumb Growth, Taxes Take A Toll

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
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