Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf grew up in a small town, but he has since adopted cities among his political causes. In recent remarks, he detailed his opinions about how public policy shortchanges cities—in Pennsylvania and the country.
Karen Langley summarizes recent statements by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf: "Flawed policies, social biases, and a lack of imagination are hurting Pennsylvania's cities…"
Gov. Wolf's comments came during a conference hosted by Keystone Crossroads. The background of the remarks are the state's forthcoming budget process, which has turned into a "an us-vs.-them" battle for "how much money flows to Pennsylvania's cities and its rural areas," according to Langley.
Langley assesses the governor's remarks as "blistering." In his own words: "The public policy environment in Pennsylvania, and in most places in the United States, is absolutely, positively hostile to cities…"
Patrick Doyle also covered the governor's remarks for Keystone Crossroads, providing additional conceptual framework to appreciate the governor's remarks. Keystone Crossroads also produced a video of the governor's remarks in full, and shared it on Vimeo.
Governor Tom Wolf's keynote address at Keystone Crossroads' Urban Ideas Worth Stealing from Keystone Crossroads on Vimeo.
FULL STORY: Wolf: Playing field tilted against cities
The Great Debate: Are Liberal Cities Good or Bad for the Country?
A contentious debate broke out this week, after a pundit proposed breaking up the consolidation of economic and political power of the country's liberal cities.
Public Perceptions of Sprawl and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Urban density has a bad reputation.
The 2010s Didn't Live Up to Potential as the 'Decade of the City'
The renaissance predicted for urban areas in the United States started strong during the 2010s but slowed in the years leading up to a potentially generation defining pandemic.
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