As states return money aimed at high speed rail projects, officials from North Carolina are hoping to scramble up some of this newly available funding to augment existing projects.
Officials are specifically hoping to spur a project connecting Charlotte and Raleigh.
"State transportation officials spent a few days in Washington last week trying to get their hands on more than $500 million in stimulus funds that the Obama administration pledged in January 2010 - but has not yet paid out - for a big railroad upgrade between Charlotte and Raleigh.
North Carolina is in a hurry to secure the money before it is snatched back by new Republican leaders in the House of Representatives, who are looking for opportunities to curtail a few billion dollars in high-speed rail spending."
FULL STORY: With funds in jeopardy, N.C. pushes rail projects

Good Planning Under Bad Leadership
Planners must sometimes work under bad leadership. Here are suggestions for responsive planning in challenging political environments.

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The city builds more new housing than almost any other and has dramatically reduced homelessness, yet low-income families struggle to find affordable housing.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
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