Lawmakers in Florida are calling for private investment in the constitutionally mandated high-speed rail system.
"State lawmakers are asking private businesses to pick up the multibillion-dollar fare for a new, constitutionally mandated high-speed rail system. Sen. Jim Sebesta, R-St. Petersburg, said Wednesday he will ask the state's Department of Transportation to request bids from companies wishing to build the first leg of the system from Orlando to St. Petersburg, with one stop in Tampa. Sebesta is chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. He has secured the blessing of Gov. Jeb Bush, House Speaker Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo, and Senate President John McKay, R-Bradenton - all of whom have said the state can't afford the project. Bush has included no money for the train in his latest budget. And, in an interview with The Tampa Tribune editorial board last week, Bush said he has told the state Department of Transportation there is no need to hurry with the project. 'I told them to go slow - slow-track the fast-train,' Bush said."
Thanks to Christian Peralta
FULL STORY: Rail plan relies on private backing

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.

Office Conversions Have Increased Every Year This Decade
Since the pandemic, office vacancy rates remain high, leading many cities to adjust zoning codes to accommodate adaptive reuse.

Index Measures Impact of Heat on Pedestrian Activity
When heat and humidity are high, people are more likely to opt for cars when possible.

Most Public Lands Are Safe — For Now
A proposal to sell off federally owned lands was removed from the Republican spending bill on procedural grounds.
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.
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
Sarasota County Government
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)