This editorial from The New York Times looks at a recently approved bill that will give more than $3 billion a year to help resuscitate Amtrak, and argues that more help is needed.
"Anyone who has ridden Amtrak lately, especially anyone familiar with rail travel in Europe or Japan, should be able to see that it needs help. Congress is considering a bill to significantly increase funding for the nation's only passenger railroad. The bill would be a welcome step, but even if it passes, Amtrak - badly underfunded compared with air and auto travel - could use a lot more support."
"The Passenger Rail Improvement and Investment Act, which passed the Senate Tuesday, would direct a little more than $3 billion a year to Amtrak for each of the next six years. The bill comes courtesy of one of Washington's more unlikely duos, Senator Frank Lautenberg, a Democrat from New Jersey, and Senator Trent Lott, a Republican from Mississippi. Rail travel is important not only to their states but to the whole country."
FULL STORY: A Little Hope for Amtrak

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

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

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The USDA indicated it plans to repeal the ‘Roadless Rule,’ a Clinton-era regulation that prevents new road-building in undeveloped federal forest areas.

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A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to release funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, a $5 billion program aimed at improving charging infrastructure.

Santa Monica May Raise Parking Permit Fees
The city says the changes would help better manage curb space and support its sustainability goals.
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