State Legislatures

Housing Reform Package Under Consideration by Rhode Island General Assembly
The Rhode Island House Speaker has introduced a package of 14 bills intended to ease housing construction without stepping on any toes at the local level.

What to Expect from U.S. Climate Policy in 2023
2022 was full of historic legislative accomplishments on climate policy. 2023 is unlikely to achieve the same significance, though the changing climate demands more of the same.

Virginia Law Granting Local Authority for Energy Efficiency Rejected Due to Housing Affordability Concerns
The state preemption pendulum swings again—this time in favor of state preemption of energy efficiency standards in Virginia.

New York's 'Good Cause Eviction' Bill, Explained
Here's a slightly humorous approach to a serious topic: the Good Cause Eviction law making its way through the New York State Legislature.

Opinion: Freeze Property Taxes in Gentrifying Neighborhoods
A proposed bill in the Texas legislature would help prevent displacement of homeowners in areas experiencing reinvestment and redevelopment.

Arizona Legislators Want to Ship Mississippi River Stormwater to the Colorado River
With Arizona bearing the brunt of the first round of drought-induced water cuts, with more sure to follow, the Arizona State Legislature is looking over the horizon for potential solutions.

Oklahoma House Approves Protections for Drivers Who Hit Protestors
A heated debate and a party line vote in Oklahoma.

Legislation Says 'Aloha' to Affordable Homes in Hawai`i
SB 1 is one of four bills proposed in the Hawai`i Legislature this year that would make it easier to develop, buy, and sell affordable homes in the state.

Housing and Land Use on Washington's Legislative Agenda
The Washington State legislature will consider a number of bills this session that would alter planning and development in a state grappling with population growth and rising housing costs.

For Transportation, Real Reform Can Only Happen at the State and Local Levels
Without buy-in for new ways of thinking at the state level, the presidential election is not likely to change much about the ways the United States plans and funds transportation infrastructure.

Ohio House Speaker Arrested on Bribery Charges Connected to $1 Billion Nuclear Industry Bailout
A bombshell in Ohio, as the FBI arrested Republican Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and four colleagues on bribery charges connected with a $1 billion bailout for the state's nuclear industry.

State Legislators Rescind Gas Tax Support in Massachusetts
While advocates argue for raising the gas tax while gas prices are low, Massachusetts legislators are backing away from an idea they supported in March.

$10 Billion Approved for Highway Funding in Washington State
Despite the drastic funding limitation imposed by Washington's voter-approved Initiative 976, the state found a way to fund $10.4 billion in (mostly highway) transportation projects.

Blue Line Extension on the Table in Virginia
Virginia could kick off an extension of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) Blue Line by funding a study in this year's state budget.

Top Planning Issues for State Legislatures
The American Planning Association identifies three issues that will define the year in state legislatures around the country.

Editorial: Reform, Don't Ban, Red Light Camera Programs
The Chicago Sun-Times responds to two Illinois state legislators who have recently proposed bills that would ban red light cameras statewide.

Florida House Trying to Prevent Voter-Approved Transportation Tax
The legal challenges to a one-cent sales tax approved by Hillsborough County voters in 2018 continue.

APA Lists Recommendations for State Housing Policy
In attendance this week at the National Conference of State Legislatures, the American Planning Association has announced its intentions to lobby attendees on housing policy.

Strong Reactions to New York Rent Control Changes
Rounding up the numerous reactions to a law approved by the New York State Legislature this month making 'landmark' changes to rent control regulations in New York City.

New York Sets Ambitious, Net-Zero Climate Emissions Target
The state of New York's new Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act is described by the New York Times as one of the most ambitious climate targets by any state legislature in the world.
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