APA Opposes Trump's Proposed Federal Budget

The American Planning Association has been outspoken in its opposition to the cuts proposed by the, still speculative, budget proposed by the Trump Administration.

1 minute read

March 23, 2017, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


President Donald Trump

President Trump at a rally in Louisville, Kentucky on March 20, 2017. | jctabb / Shutterstock

Tess Hembree posts on the American Planning Association's (APA) blog in a clear statement of opposition to President Trump's preliminary budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year 2018, released earlier this month.

According to Hembree, the budget "[outlines] a devastating vision of a dramatically reduced federal role in the nation’s communities."

The post goes on to organize the draft budget's impact on matters of planning importance. Hembree's list gathers her points into categories pertaining to the departments of Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Interior, and Commerce, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency.

"Constituency is a powerful tool," writes Hembree, "and members of Congress are listening. Stand up for federal support for good planning." This post offers a primer on understanding the issues to begin that political action.

In addition to Hembree's post, the APA released an official statement on the Trump Administration's Fiscal Year 2018 federal budget proposal. The lede of that statement: "The federal budget proposal released today utterly fails to meet the needs of the nation's communities."

Thursday, March 16, 2017 in American Planning Association

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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

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.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

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.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

July 2 - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

July 2 - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

July 2 - CNU Public Square