In the guise of an anti-eminent domain measure, California's Prop 90 seeks to trick voters into adopting a policy that would devastate the state's ability to set aside land for conservation.
"Prop 90 attacks the basic power of local entities to regulate themselves. It strips the California constitution of the general welfare provision of police power. Normally jurisdictions have the power to regulate for health, safety, and general welfare. Prop 90, in a dangerous and haphazard way, strips the general welfare portion. Almost all of our quality-of-life regulations are justified by that general welfare provision."
"If you have to justify every law based on just public health and safety, you’d have a hard time passing any of the laws that make California the great state it is todayâ€"whether or not those are smart growth land-use laws, which the Nature Conservancy is obviously concerned with. For example, there is no way oil drilling could have been stopped on the more environmentally sensitive and pristine portions of the California coast, and the California Coastal Act would have been too cost-prohibitive to enact. Also, future conservation efforts on our coast will be very difficult if 90 passes."
"Prop 90 will not accomplish any conservation goals. The only goal it could accomplish is that it could grind California’s real estate economy to such a halt that perhaps there wouldn’t be any responsible development at all."
Thanks to Josh Stephens
FULL STORY: Environmental Community Joins Chorus Decrying Prop 90’s Potential to Cripple Quality of Life Laws

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?

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.

Making Mobility More Inclusive
A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service