The economic recession is lightening up in some areas, but cities and municipalities will continue to struggle with the downturn in the economy for years, mainly because of falling property tax revenues.
"Even as the economy makes what appears to be tentative recovery, local revenues are continuing to drop. The reason is that property taxes - the main source of local tax dollars - are typically readjusted over several years. That means assessments are just starting to reflect diminished home values, which have come down by 30 percent on average nationwide since the housing market's peak in 2006."
Many of the country's major cities are facing large budget shortfalls over the coming years. Contributions to municipalities from the federal and state levels are also expected to decrease.
FULL STORY: Cities' Woes Will Linger, Thousands Of Jobs Will Go

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

The French Solution to Congested Tunnels: Make Them Car-Free
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Missouri Governor Reverses Anti-Discrimination Housing Policies
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USDOT Launches Unfunded 'SAFE ROADS' Program
The program targets “distractions” and “political messages or artwork,” and paves the way for autonomous vehicles.
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