Government / Politics

Las Vegas strip

Nevada to Embark on 7-Year Program to Record Mileage of Motorists

Nevada is one of 15 states in the Western Road Usage Charge Consortium that are considering a transition from funding their transportation budgets largely by taxing the gallons of fuel that vehicles burn to charging drivers for miles driven.

August 30, 2019 - Route Fifty

California Governor

Governor Calls for 1.3 Million New Homes in Southern California

Local governments in Southern California have chafed at a call from Governor Gavin Newsom for 1.3 million new homes over the next decade. The Southern California Association of Governments has proposed only 430,000.

August 30, 2019 - The Los Angeles Times

Presidential Campaign

Message to Candidates: Don't Forget Car Dependence When Tackling Fossil Fuels

Car dependence will have to end for the most ambitious climate plans put forward by Democratic candidates for president to have the desired effect.

August 29, 2019 - Curbed

Wall Prototypes

Report: Trump Willing to Break the Rules to Build Border Wall

Transit agencies, affordable housing developers, and many others might be envious of the kind of leeway sources say President Trump is willing to grant in the name of project delivery.

August 29, 2019 - The Washington Post

Pick-Up Truck

California Lawmaker Wants to Triple Electric Vehicle Rebates

Assemblyman Phil Ting seeks to dramatically increase the state electric vehicle sales rebate of $2,500, motivated in part by the phasing-out of the federal EV tax credit of $7,500. The bill rules out significant revenue sources.

August 28, 2019 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Metro-North Railroad

New York MTA Looks to Suburban TODs as Funding Source

The agency is selling land outside of the city on a commuter rail line in a move that could become more common as a revenue-generating strategy.

August 28, 2019 - CityLab

Copenhagen Train Station

Copenhagen Strives to Be Carbon Neutral by 2025

The Danish capital has an ambitious goal to be the world’s greenest and most bike-friendly city, and it is taking big steps to make that happen soon.

August 28, 2019 - Fast Company

Ghost bike in New York

Horrific Cyclist's Death in Brooklyn Prompts Calls for New Thinking on Cars

José Alzorriz was killed while waiting on a bike at a red light. An SUV, T-boned by a red light-runner, literally flew into him.

August 27, 2019 - The New York Times

Tiny House

Affordable Housing for New Orleans—Tiny Houses?

Mayor LaToya Cantrell wants the planning department to explore and offer up suggestions for ways the city can address its affordable housing needs.

August 27, 2019 - NOLA.com

New York Subway Stairs

N.Y.C. Initiative Seeks to Connect Homeless on Transit with Social Services

The city is expanding outreach to homeless people in order to move them off the subway and steer them toward housing and social services.

August 27, 2019 - Smart Cities Dive

Wood, Timber, Forestry, Logging

Why Jay Inslee Should Embrace Cross-Laminated Timber

With a timber rich state and a desire to fight climate change, mass timber and CLT could become Jay Inslee's signature green economy success in Washington State.

August 26, 2019 - ConorBronsdon

Second Avenue Subway

Trump's Confusing Tweet Offers to Help Complete the Second Avenue Subway in New York

While the state of New York would surely lover federal help in building out several infrastructure projects around New York City, a tweet from President Trump over the weekend seemed to overpromise regarding the Second Avenue Subway.

August 26, 2019 - Crain's New York Business

Hoover Dam

The Colorado River in an 'Era of Limits'

New agreements and the first cutbacks in water usage signal the start of concerted efforts keep the river and reservoirs from dropping to dangerous levels.

August 26, 2019 - Arizona Republic

TriMet Portland

New Questions Around Portland-Area Light Rail Project

A proposed rail line would run from downtown Portland, Oregon, to the suburbs. The budget has increased significantly, and many funding and project scope questions remain.

August 26, 2019 - Oregon Live

Coachella Valley

Thumbs Down on Decades-Old Southern California Housing Development Proposal

A proposal for a large development in the Coachella Valley, near Joshua Tree National Park, is facing obstacles once again as the planning commission fails to recommend the plan move forward.

August 26, 2019 - Desert Sun

Miami

Cities at the Forefront of Climate Change Policy

As cities around the world face the effects of climate change head on, they have been pushing policy forward and taking action at the local level. But they are also creating networks that have a much broader impact beyond individual cities.

August 26, 2019 - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Bike Lane New York

Vision Zero Is Not Improving Bike Safety

The initiative focuses on safety, but fatalities are up and ridership growth is down in New York City. How is Vision Zero missing the mark?

August 26, 2019 - Jalopnik

Santa Monica, California

Expert Opines on the Fiscal Disincentives Undermining Local Approval of Housing Development

Larry Kosmont identifies the fiscal dysfunction driving city resistance to state-mandated density and offers institutional explanations for California’s current housing crisis.

August 25, 2019 - The Planning Report

Electric Car Charging Stencil

Automakers Required to Increase EV Sales in Colorado

Due to the adoption of the Zero-Emission Vehicle standard by the state's air quality commission last week, there will be a much greater selection of electric vehicles available for interested Colorado consumers. Sales should reach 5% by 2023.

August 23, 2019 - NGT News

Mercedes Benz Suburbs

Another Automaker Shows Interest in California Deal on Auto Emissions

President Trump is 'enraged' that automakers would agree with California in support of maintaining the Obama-era fuel efficiency standards, reports the Times. Mercedes-Benz is apparently preparing to join Ford, Honda, BMW, and VW in the private deal.

August 23, 2019 - The New York Times

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