APA's bi-weekly update on legislative and public policy issues of interest to planners and communities.
This issue features: Brownfields bill set for final passage; Farm bill holds promise for planners and Smart Growth; and Heritage Area bills attract house ttention. " Most observers feared that brownfields legislation was once again doomed to legislative limbo. After the Senate approved a consensus compromise bill, S. 350, by a 99-0 vote, action in the House had stalled over provisions regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys ability to reassert authority over state-certified brownfield sites. But, intervention by the Bush Administration and House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) late last week led to an unexpected agreement to push the Senate version to an expedited floor vote this week."
Thanks to Jason Jordan
FULL STORY: From Washington...
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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