Transportation consultant Ken Orski looks at post-election results in OH, WI, and FL as consistent with Newsweek's Robert J. Samuelson's pre-election column calling for an end to what he sees as wasteful and inappropriate high speed rail investment.
"Samuelson's blunt verdict is likely to resonate strongly in the deficit-conscious next Congress and among fiscally-strapped state governments."
Noting OH Gov.-elect Kasich's and WI Gov.elect Walker's rejection of HSR in their states and the uncertainty of the FL project with Gov.-elect Rick Scott (who had called for "reconsidering the Tampa to Orlando HSR project if the federal government fails to fully fund it"), Orski also looks at comments of FL Rep. John Mica, "the presumptive chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committeee", as further evidence that HSR will have a rough time in the upcoming congressional session.
"The last thing we want is to build a dog that has to be highly subsidized by taxpayers," Mica said in a telephone interview.
[Contributor's Note: The anti-HSR resolve of Gov.-elects Walker and Kasich appears to be matched by the "use it or lose" resolve of DOT Secretary LaHood.]
Thanks to KEN ORSKI
FULL STORY: Update: The Federal High-Speed Rail Program: A Post-Election Reality Check
According to Report, Ohio Needs More Public Transit Funding
Public transit around the state of Ohio gets about 1 percent of its funding from the state government, but that's not enough according to a report from Policy Matters.
SunRail Phase II Receives $93.4 Million FTA Grant
Florida's SunRail commuter rail received a $93.4 grant from the Federal Transit Administration to extend the 61-mile line. The grant will cover half the capital costs for the 17.2-mile extension from Orlando to Osceola County.
Transportation Reauthorization: Being Responsible Means Not Raising Gas Tax
Responsible funding for transportation may no longer be the conventional "pay-as-you-go" user fee system whereby drivers pay for projects through gas taxes. House Transportation Chair Mica wants to fund the bill responsibly, but rules out new taxes.
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.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions