English Prime Minister Gordon Brown is confident that the 2012 Summer Olympics will bring a big economic benefit to London. But with costs rising beyond expectations, some are skeptical of the PM's prediction.
He said the games would create not only temporary event-based jobs, but a long-term positive impact on the city's economy.
"Construction on the Olympic Park, which organisers call the largest building project in Europe, is on track to be completed ahead of schedule.
However increased venue costs have contributed to the overall Olympic budget spiralling from the initial estimate of 2.4 billion pounds ($3.9 billion) to 9.3 billion pounds.
The British taxpayer has had to step in after private funding partners for two of the biggest venues, the Olympic village and media centre, struggled to secure commercial financing in the credit crunch."
FULL STORY: Brown Says London 2012 to Fuel Regeneration

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.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

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.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
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