Officials in New York are pleading their case for a congestion pricing plan before city councilors as the April 7 deadline for approval approaches.
"With just two weeks to go before the deadline to approve congestion pricing, Mayor Bloomberg and his allies worked Monday to win converts to the plan - while City Council critics spent the day poking holes in it."
"Council members grilled Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan about whether the proposed $8 fee for drivers entering Manhattan below 60th St. would hurt poor commuters, cost too much to administer or lead to a cutback in federal funds."
"The City Council, Assembly and state Senate must approve the plan by April 7 to qualify for $354 million in federal funds for extra bus and subway service. A new Quinnipiac University poll found two-thirds of New Yorkers support the idea, as long as the revenue is used for mass transit."
"New Jersey drivers using E-ZPass would not have to pay the fee, so Bloomberg's team is negotiating for part of a $2 billion Port Authority fund to make up some of the difference. They are also mulling a tax credit to help poor drivers pay the fee."
FULL STORY: Mayor Bloomberg and allies work to win converts to congestion pricing plan

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
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie