Government / Politics
The Young History of Open Data Leadership in Pittsburgh
The city of Pittsburgh's Open Data project recently released a progress report to commemorate its first two years in operation.
Senate GOP Tax Cutters Target Bike Commuter Tax Benefit
To help pay for their massive tax cut bill, Senate Republicans have proposed elimination of a small tax benefit that can save bike commuters $240 annually. Unlike the House tax bill, they don't touch parking and transit benefits.
Detroit's Rebirth: Beyond the Headlines
John Gallagher takes a look at some of the civic factors and organizations that have worked behind the scenes to pull Detroit through.
Editorial: Congress Should Extend, Not End, Tax Exempt Bonds for Affordable Housing
The Seattle Times says there could be no worse time than right now to repeal tax exempt bonds that help finance affordable housing.
11 States Launch Resistance to National Park Fee Changes
Eleven attorneys general have sent a letter, and a warning, to the Trump Administration: we'll battle new entrance fees in court if we have to.
Chicago's Innovative Ride-Hailing Tax Approved
The Chicago City Council has approved a new budget that includes a new transit funding mechanism that could level the playing field for transit.
Nebraska Commission Authorizes Keystone XL Pipeline, But With a Major Twist
TransCanada got its second wish. Last March, President Trump reversed President Obama's rejection of the 1,136-mile pipeline to carry Alberta oil sands crude. On Monday, the Nebraska Public Service Commission OK'd a route, but not the one it wanted.
Host Nation Reveals Embarrassment as Climate Talks End
It's not so easy weaning itself from dirty coal power, one reason why Germany likely won't meet its 2020 greenhouse gas reduction targets. But they will have plenty of company, though all targets are voluntary.
Affordable Housing Near Transit: Seattle's REDI Makes Its First Loan
For a city in the middle of a rent crisis, the Tacoma Housing Authority project can't come too soon.
Oregon's New Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Litigated
The half-cent sales tax will fund new rebate programs for zero and near zero-emissions vehicles and multimodal transportation. Opponents claim the privilege tax, as it is called, violates the state constitution because revenues aren't used for roads.
The Truth About Creating Policy: It Can't Be Evidence-Based
Research in cognitive sciences is dictating that we can no longer rely on the presentation of scientific facts when building policy.
Offshore Wind Lands on Lake Erie
By 2019, a multi-million dollar project developed by a former "big energy" guy might make Cleveland the new U.S. leader in renewable energy.
Cards Against Humanity Vs. the Trump Administration
The game company has pledged to obstruct Trump's proposed border wall.
Nuisance Laws Fine Victims
Nuisance laws in Ohio cities endanger and discriminate against the victims of abuse, domestic violence, and the mentally ill.
Challenges in Rebuilding Houston Extend Beyond Development
Michael Kimmelman, architecture critic of The New York Times, looks beyond sprawl and development issues that challenge Houston in its rebuilding efforts. An anti-urban, anti-regulation bias from the statehouse isn't helping matters.
New Poll Shows Californians Would Repeal 12-Cent Gas Tax Hike
On Nov. 1, fuel taxes increased for the first time in 23 years in California. Next November, Californians will likely decide whether to return those taxes to 1994 levels, as well as repeal other tax and fee hikes passed by the legislature in April.
Advice for Repairing Relations Between Planners and the Public
Planners and the public must improve their relationship, according to this article.
Rent Control's Mixed Effects in San Francisco
As California debates the future of rent control in its municipalities, a group of Stanford economists have conducted research that connects San Francisco's existing policy with higher housing costs.
Gubernatorial Elections Have Environmental Consequences
A movement initiated by Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D-Va.) to join the East Coast carbon cap-and-trade program has accelerated with the election of his Democratic lieutenant governor, Ralph Northam, as governor. Similar news is expected from New Jersey.
And Then There Was One
Donald Trump ran on an "America First" platform for president. The latest news from the climate talks in Bonn, Germany, though, shows that it is now "America Alone" in terms of nations who haven't adopted the Paris climate agreement.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
