A huge new pot of money is now available in Florida, created by the Amendment 1 tax on real estate transactions. Many in the state would like to see some of the revenue dedicated to preserving the state's eroding beaches.
"Passed by an overwhelming majority of Florida voters last fall, Amendment 1 was billed as a way to force lawmakers to make water quality and land conservation a priority," according to Tony Marrero.
"But officials from coastal counties are focused on the places where water erodes the land as they seek a share of the estimated $22 billion the mandate is expected to raise over the next two decades."
There seems to be a strong coalition of support for some of the Amendment 1 funding to go toward beach preservation, which has become a more critical issue in Florida since the last finding mechanism for such purposes was approved some 13 years ago.
The Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association is advocating for lawmakers to dedicate between $47 million and $60 million annually to beach preservation over the next 20 years. Marrero adds: "Their case is bolstered by a report last week from the Legislature's Office of Economic & Demographic Research that showed $1 invested in beach renourishment generated $5.40 in sales tax revenue."
FULL STORY: Calls grow louder for lawmakers to use Amendment 1 money for beach repair

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.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Bend, Oregon Zoning Reforms Prioritize Small-Scale Housing
The city altered its zoning code to allow multi-family housing and eliminated parking mandates citywide.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

LA Denies Basic Services to Unhoused Residents
The city has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for trash pickup at encampment sites, and eliminated a program that provided mobile showers and toilets.
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
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie