San Mateo County officials have a bone to pick with their bigger neighbor (in population, not area) to the north, San Francisco: don't charge us to drive there. Unlike drivers from East and North Bay counties, no bridge tolls separate the counties.
On Dec. 14, the San Francisco County Transportation Authority Board may select a congestion pricing plan for the city that could be enacted, if all goes well, by 2015. One of the plans involves tolling - during peak hours, what is known as the 'southern gateway', the only untolled entrance to the Peninsula city.
"Hillsborough Councilman Tom Kasten, who also sits on the board of San Mateo County's City/County Association of Governments, drafted a letter that local officials signed to urge the authority to eliminate the southern gateway option from further consideration.
"This would have a significant, negative impact on San Mateo County residents," according to Kasten's letter."
From San Mateo Daily Journal editorial: "Charging a fee at the city's major entry points to the south is unfair to residents of San Mateo County who work in the city and could create a burden for those who live in South San Francisco and Daly City since traffic will be forced onto surface streets.
The city of San Francisco has a history of making decisions that negatively impact San Mateo County - whether it be about its jail in San Bruno, its airport or its water delivery system. Let this not be another in that series."
FULL STORY: San Mateo County officials to San Francisco: Drop toll idea

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

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)