State Legislatures

Rhode Island Capitol Building

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.

March 8, 2023 - WPRI

Capitol

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.

January 4, 2023 - The Washington Post

Roofers stand on top of a residential roof while installing solar panels.

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.

February 9, 2022 - The Virginia Mercury

Eviction Crisis

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.

January 18, 2022 - The New York Times

Old houses with large porch and colorful siding

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.

May 19, 2021 - Dallas Morning News

Glen Canyon Dam

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.

May 13, 2021 - Mohave Valley Daily News

George Floyd

Oklahoma House Approves Protections for Drivers Who Hit Protestors

A heated debate and a party line vote in Oklahoma.

March 12, 2021 - The Oklahoman

Oahu

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.

February 16, 2021 - Maui Now

Washington State Capital

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.

February 4, 2021 - The Urbanist

Presidential Campaign

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.

October 28, 2020 - theTransportPolitic

A photo of protesters on the front lawn of the Ohio Statehouse during the State of the Union speech by Governer Kasich.

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.

July 22, 2020 - The Columbus Dispatch

Broadway Bus Lane in Everett

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.

April 27, 2020 - The Boston Globe

Interstate 5

$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.

March 19, 2020 - The Urbanist

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

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.

February 24, 2020 - The Washington Post

State capital building

Top Planning Issues for State Legislatures

The American Planning Association identifies three issues that will define the year in state legislatures around the country.

February 12, 2020 - American Planning Association

Red Light Camera

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.

October 21, 2019 - Chicago Sun-Times

TECO Line Streetcar System

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.

September 11, 2019 - Tampa Bay Times

Yonkers

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.

August 7, 2019 - American Planning Association

Tenants' Rights

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.

June 24, 2019 - Planetizen

New York State Capitol

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.

June 20, 2019 - The New York Times

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

HUD’s 2023 Innovative Housing Showcase

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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