Andrea Bernstein traces how, in four short years, partisan politics have infected discussions about investment in infrastructure.
With a "D" grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers, the sad state of the nation's infrastructure is indisputable. And as recently as 2008, Republicans and Democrats agreed on the need for highway and transit funding. However, the parties' take on the issue this year could not be more divided.
At the crux of the debate is the role of federal spending in transportation infrastructure. While Republicans assert that more infrastructure spending will lead to an even greater deficit, Obama remains committed to transportation investment, including dedicating a sizable chunk of his $800 billion stimulus bill to highways, transit, and high speed rail.
Governors Christie and Cuomo are an example of the disagreement in action. Republican Governor Chris Christie is among those against federal spending, writes Bernstein, and "started a modern trend: sending billions back to the federal government for a local transit project rather than risk incurring extra debt for New Jersey taxpayers." Democrat Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York, on the other hand, went full speed ahead with his own $5 billion bridge project, claiming that "If we want this state to be what we want this state to be you have to be able to tackle a project like this."
FULL STORY: How Infrastructure Politics Turned Partisan: Looking Back on Four Years

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service