Members of Congress are mobilizing to protect the popular New Market Tax Credit program, which has offered benefits in rural and urban environments.
"Facing an impending tax overhaul from the Trump administration, members of the House and Senate have moved to protect a program that gives tax credits to businesses that create jobs and other economy boosters in low-income communities," reports Kelsey E. Thomas.
Thomas is referring to the U.S. Treasury’s New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program, "which targets poor zip codes both urban and rural, has gained bipartisan support and many friends in both the urban development and business worlds since its implementation in 2000." Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) introduced the two bills, called the "New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2017" [pdf]. The bills would make the program permanent.
Thomas provides additional insight onto the prevailing political winds facing the New Market Tax Credits, with evidence provided by statements from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin during his confirmation hearing.
FULL STORY: Congress Is Making a Bipartisan Push for an Urban Development Tax Credit

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