Iowa

"The road usage charge is the logical evolution in the way we fund surface transportation," stated Patrick Jones, Executive Director of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association at their annual transportation conference in Portland.

April 28, 2015 - Planetizen

This St. Louis Patch-Dispatch editorial analyzes the legislature as well as the bill to raise gas taxes two-cent a year for three years, taking aim at Republican House members who will be "automatic no votes." Illinois may also increase its gas tax.

April 15, 2015 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Gov. Nathan Deal will sign legislation to increase gas taxes through a state sales tax conversion to an excise tax. With new weight-based truck fees, motel fees, and electric vehicle fees, it will add $1 billion in new transportation funding.

April 3, 2015 - WJBF Augusta

The Idaho Trucking Association wants to reduce the state's $262 million road and bridge maintenance shortfall by passing a six-cent increase in the fuel tax over three years. The AAA opposes it because most of the bill will fall on motorists.

March 20, 2015 - Idaho Press-Tribune

As cities and towns offer more incentives and planning support for local agriculture, there is still plenty of education and learning to be done to create and sustain local food systems. Enter the Agricultural Urbanism Toolkit.

March 17, 2015 - Seedstock

Just before adjourning for the year, the Republican-controlled Utah House and Senate settled on a compromise—increase the gas tax by a nickel; the first hike in 18 years. Gov. Gary Herbert, also a Republican, has indicated he will sign the bill.

March 16, 2015 - The Salt Lake Tribune

This has been an eventful week for gas taxes. To update two posts that appeared recently, Gov. Terry Branstad of Iowa signed legislation that increases the gas tax by 10-cents on March 1. In California, a board voted to decrease the tax by six cents.

February 27, 2015 - KCCI Des Moines

If Republican Governor Terry Branstad signs the bi-partisan bill as signs indicate, the increase will be the most significant state transportation funding legislation since Republican Gov. Matt Mead of Wyoming signed a 10-cent increase two years ago.

February 25, 2015 - KCCI Des Moines

A new development proposal in Des Moines called Bici Flats will provide one-of-a-kind amenities to residents who love to bike. But will it become a catalytic development for a downtown neighborhood?

January 20, 2015 - WHOtv

A lawsuit by the Des Moines water utility could change the way the farming industry mitigates its environmental impacts.

January 13, 2015 - Grist

A movement at the state and federal levels would take advantage of low oil prices to boost gas taxes to pay for infrastructure. Michigan, Iowa, and Utah proposals, and a change to the federal Corker-Murphy plan, are described below.

January 12, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal

The Urban Land Institute proposes the blending of solutions in housing and public health as a method of increasing the resilience of cities threatened by natural disasters of all kinds.

September 6, 2014 - Urban Land Institute

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad supports the Keystone XL Pipeline, as do most Republican leaders. Then again, it doesn't go through his state. Not so for the newly proposed Bakken Pipeline that cuts across the heart of Iowa. No word on his position yet.

July 16, 2014 - The Des Moines Register

Bipartisan governors faulted Congress for failing to find long-term funds for the Highway Trust Fund, but how do their state records match their rhetoric aimed at raising federal gas taxes? Planetizen looks at some of the governors cited in the WSJ.

July 15, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

The Historic Millwork District Master Plan, approved in 2009, provides exemplary solutions in historic preservation, parking requirements, and environmental standards, all now rewarding the city of Dubuque, Iowa with economic development.

July 3, 2014 - Andrew Dresdner

The Onion has once again focused its satirical gaze on the art and science of planning, this time telling the fictional story of a planner in Des Moines, Iowa, who just couldn't help but copy Philadelphia.

March 28, 2014 - The Onion

Reporting from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where a 2008 flood devastated 14% of this city of 126,000, John Eligon writes of the extensive rebuilding that has occurred in the flood plain - largely without protection from future floods.

July 14, 2013 - The New York Times - U.S.

To the chagrin of many state legislators, Gov. Terry Branstad opposes new revenue measures to fund transportation projects, as he believes he is following the wishes of his constituents. Tax cuts, not increases, are on his agenda.

June 17, 2013 - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

While the New Hampshire bill made it through the House, it was blocked, as Republican leaders had predicted, in the Senate. The Iowa bill, sponsored and supported by Republicans, was never acted on. Iowa may try again next year; not possible in N.H.

May 29, 2013 - Bedford (N.H.) Patch

Fox News ran two articles on the climate for increasing state gas taxes, almost exactly a year apart. The 2012 article is pessimistic about the ability to increase gas taxes while the March 14th one is decidedly upbeat. Why the change, what happened?

March 20, 2013 - Fox Business