Urban policy expert Anthony Downs connects the financial arguments of smarter growth to political opportunities particularly in times such as now when growing prosperity will reenergize interests in growth management.
"Right now, governors are focused on coping with state budget deficits. In times of recession, such as the recent past, localities are more interested in encouraging growth than limiting it. But in times of prosperity, which we now seem to be entering, people's interest shift to limiting growth, since they don't need it then.
In fact, governors looking for popular issues should seriously consider becoming strong advocates of smart growth approaches to growth-related issues along the lines I have been discussing."
Thanks to Kurt Sommer
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