Dispatch from 'Planners' Day' on Capitol Hill

The American Planning Association took to Washington, D.C. recently to seek support for legislative actions that will enable the planning efforts of the next few years.

1 minute read

October 16, 2015, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Capitol Hill

Julie Clopper / Shutterstock

"In 125 meetings with congressional offices representing 25 states, APA members and advocates for good planning fanned out across Capitol Hill on September 29 to talk about transportation, parks, public health, and funding for vital local projects," according to a post by Jason Jordan, director of policy and government affairs for the American Planning Association.

Jordan notes the timeliness of the effort, given pending legislation regarding "federal surface transportation programs, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), and annual appropriations for key infrastructure and community development programs."

According to Jordan, the planners in attendace were seeking support on three primary "asks":

  • Pass a multi-year, sustainably funded transportation bill
  • Reauthorize and fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund
  • Maintain support for critical programs like CDBG, HOME and TIGER, that benefit community and economic development

The article includes more on the goals for the APA's advocacy and some anecdotes from the day.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015 in APA Policy News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Regeneration of contaminated industrial land used for waste dumping, West Midlands, UK, 2006 .

EPA Awards $267 Million to Clean Up and Reuse Contaminated Sites

The EPA is investing the funds to clean up and redevelop contaminated sites nationwide, supporting economic growth, community revitalization, and environmental restoration.

6 hours ago - Environmental Protection

Archway made of bikes in Knoxville, Tennessee over Tennessee River.

Knoxville Dedicates $1M to New Greenway

The proposed greenway would run along North Broadway and connect to 125 miles of existing trails.

May 18 - WATE

25mph speed limit sign with digital "Your Speed" sign below it.

Philadelphia Launches ‘Speed Slots’ Traffic Calming Pilot

The project focuses on a 1.4-mile stretch of Lincoln Drive where cars frequently drive above the posted speed limit.

May 18 - WHYY