Do they work? That's the question as state officials investigate New Jersey's Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program.
New Jersey's program is 26 years old, and exempts "participating businesses from paying sales tax on some purchases and offer incentives for job creation. Businesses in the zones can charge half the regular sales-tax rate - 3.5 percent - with some of the tax revenue going to local economic development projects and some to the state."
Two consultants have been hired to decide whether the program is worth the tax revenue - to the tune of almost $200 million dollars each year - or not.
FULL STORY: NJ’s UEZ program faces scrutiny from $160,000 consultant
Property Taxes Cuts on the Ballot in at Least Eight States
From completely eliminating property tax to creating new exemptions, voters in eight states across the country will cast their votes on a variety of ballot measures that could have major implications for local budgets.
Affordable Housing Bond Nixed From the California Ballot
Supporters of the proposed bond say the measure will have more success in the future.
Quantifying the Losses Caused by New Freeways
Data shows cities lose millions in potential property taxes when highways displace homes and businesses.
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.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie