With the governor stepping down, the state's transit agencies have an opportunity to reevaluate controversial projects and shift their priorities.

As Governor Cuomo steps down from his post amid scandal, writes Alissa Walker, the state gets 'a reprieve' from transportation policies that, according to a letter from Port Authority staffers, were made through "non-transparent, politically motivated decisions, including decisions that squander the trust and money of our bondholders, customers, and the general public." The letter also called for halting the controversial AirTrain project, championed by Cuomo.
According to Stephen Nessen, "[a]s governor, Cuomo has lorded over transportation projects for better and worse, and has called the shots from Albany on many matters that affect the daily commute in the New York City region. Most prominently, he controls the MTA by recommending the majority of its 21 board members, and approving all of them." Walker argues this holds true for other proposals that withered on the governor's desk, including congestion pricing, which could raise as much as one billion dollars a year for public, and "the Fast Forward proposal for the MTA, an ambitious, necessary, achievable vision proposed by New York City Transit head Andy Byford to make the subway system more efficient and accessible and then derailed by the governor’s ego."
As federal funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act starts to flow into the state, Walker writes, "[t]he big question for Kathy Hochul — who will become the state’s first woman governor in two weeks — is whether she can dismantle the gubernatorial institutions that wreaked havoc on the state’s transportation systems."
FULL STORY: We Just Got a Reprieve From Cuomo’s Worst Transit Ideas

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie