Greg Hanscom profiles Stacey Champion, an environmental consultant and PR specialist who uncovered, and defeated, shady efforts to ban sustainability planning in Arizona.
Champion's heroic effort went as such: "Last spring, [she] caught wind of a bill
moving quietly through the legislature that would prevent the state,
county, or city governments from "adopting or implementing the creed,
doctrine, principles or any tenet of the United Nations Rio Declaration
on Environment and Development" - a pledge to promote eco-friendly development and eradicate poverty that was adopted along with Agenda 21. It would also ban state and local government membership in ICLEI, a nonprofit that has become the object of wing-nut conspiracy theories everywhere," explains Hanscom.
"The bill's sponsor, Republican Sen. Judy Burges, had used a special 'strike everything' amendment to sneak the bill through the state Senate
and into the House."
Through dogged lobbying, social networking, and general busy-bodyness, Champion was able to bring the potential economic (and evironmental) harm of the bill to the attention of local reporters, politicians, and the national media, before it could pass a final vote in the Arizona House.
"The story eventually made national headlines," says Hanscom, "and the bill died after
the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry came out in opposition, citing concerns about the state's image. (As [Sandy Bahr, director of the Sierra Club's Grand Canyon chapter] puts it, 'Looking crazy is not good for business.')"
FULL STORY: Stacey Champion took on the Tea Party — and won

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie