Government / Politics

Maryland Legislators Override Governor’s Veto to Support Regional Rail Investments
The latest round of Gov. Larry Hogan v. public transit goes to the latter.

Resilience Planning for Suburban Growth
Whether or not the suburban shift accelerated by the pandemic continues, policymakers can implement climate resilience strategies and guide sustainable growth in both cities and exurbs.

New Hampshire Could Permit Short-Term Rentals Statewide
A proposed bill would prohibit towns and cities from enforcing bans against short-term rental properties.

Why Inclusionary Zoning Alone Won't Solve the Housing Crisis
Building enough affordable housing to meet current shortages will take more concerted effort from policymakers.

European Union Takes Initial Step to Ban Russian Energy Imports
After a second day of talks in Brussels, ambassadors to the European Union agreed to ban coal imports from Russia as evidence of widescale atrocities committed by Russian troops in Ukraine surfaced after their withdrawal from the outskirts of Kyiv.

Emergency Assistance Has Helped Renters, but Hurdles Remain
Research shows pandemic rent relief programs made a significant difference for struggling renters.

Making Broadband Investments Count
As connectivity becomes increasingly important to everyday life, policymakers at all levels can take action to streamline broadband infrastructure projects and improve internet access for all communities.

How Democratic Is Zoning?
One common argument against pro-housing zoning reform is that local or neighborhood control of housing policy is more democratic than the alternatives. This theory, if taken seriously, leads to absurd results.

Housing Initiative Inches Closer to San Francisco Voters
Housing advocates hope a charter amendment that would streamline the development approval process will make it to the November ballot.

'Neighborhood Defenders' and the Suburban Status Quo
A tour de force of reporting documents the efforts of suburban Maryland residents to oppose new developments in their neighborhoods.

Waging War on High Gas Prices
America is not at war, but that didn't stop President Joe Biden from calling the largest release of oil from the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve that he authorized on March 31 to lower oil prices, a 'wartime bridge.'

An Uncommon Success for Housing Vouchers in Wichita
While less than a fifth of housing vouchers are utilized nationwide, Wichita has distributed around 70 percent of the vouchers allocated to the city.

Study: How California Can Shift Away From Car-Oriented Development
While the state continues to rely on driving as a primary means of transportation, fighting climate change and the worsening housing crisis means implementing policies that encourage infill development, higher density, and public transit.

Columbus Weighs Revisions to Outdated, Inequitable Zoning Code
The city is seeking ways to boost affordable housing development and encourage mixed-use, transit-oriented development.

Opinion: Revise Zoning and Tax Codes To Support Adaptive Reuse of NYC Office Space
With office buildings facing an uncertain future in their current form, cities can tweak regulations to encourage innovative new uses.

DIY Crosswalks Appear in Hollywood
A group claiming the city of Los Angeles fails to protect pedestrians is taking action on their own, painting a set of crosswalks at a busy residential intersection.

Why California Should Not, Cannot Solve Its Housing Crisis By Building New Cities
A recent essay advocates for the development of a new city in California to alleviate the state's housing crisis. The argument needs a few tweaks.

More SB 9 Drama: L.A. County Cities Sue California
Four Southern California cities are calling SB9 unconstitutional in the fight to retain local control over zoning codes and housing density.

U.S. to Help European Union Achieve Energy Security
President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in Brussels the formation of a joint task force to help the European Union reduce dependence on Russian energy in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Renewable Energy as a Political Issue
Texas leads the country in wind energy production, but it, and other conservative states, continue to resist efforts to promote the switch to renewables.
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