Government / Politics
Serving the Needs of Seniors: Solutions in Practice
We've long focused on the *what* when providing housing for seniors. Today Hazel Borys reminds us that the *where* is equally critical, if not more so.
Judge Sours on Bloomberg's Sugary Drink Ban
The day before it was to go into effect, a New York State Supreme Court judge has invalidated New York City's ban on large sugary drinks, reports Michael M. Grynbaum.
Should the Feds Fund Transportation Projects?
The impending bankruptcy of the Highway Trust Fund a lack of clear purpose for national transport investment has Eric Jaffe asking if, after 120 years, we might be witnessing the end of federal transportation funding as we know it.
Will Chavez's Successor Unleash Venezuela's Massive Oil Wealth?
For all his intentions to help the poorest in his country, Hugo Chávez's handling of the golden goose - Venezuela's massive oil wealth, was badly mishandled during his reign. Output decreased, debt increased, and he left behind a polarized society.
Frightening Friday: Irish Council Supports Allowing Drunk Driving to Prevent Mental Illness
Unfortunately folks, this is not a story out of The Onion. A county council in south-west Ireland has voted to support allowing rural drunk driving to help "prevent depression and suicide," reports Henry McDonald.
Bipartisan Bill Aims to Boost Brownfield Redevelopment
This week, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators introduced the Brownfields Utilization, Investment and Local Development Act of 2013 (BUILD Act), a bill aimed at assisting local communities in remediating and redeveloping contaminated sites.
Arcane State Board Votes to Give CA Nation's Highest Gas Tax
While state legislatures and governors are struggling whether to raise state gas, sales, or income taxes or user fees to fund transportation projects, an arcane state board of five elected members voted 3-2 to increase CA's gas tax by 3.5 cents.
For Urban Poor, Enumeration Equals Inclusion
Marcus Tudehope offers 12 reasons why community-led counting and mapping of the urban poor can be an effective tool for putting "power and democracy" into their hands.
One Detroit Rises, While the Other Falls
Monica Davey describes the divergent paths of Detroit's public and private sectors.

Leaving California - A Wall Street Journal Explanation
WSJ editorial write Allysia Finley opines on the out-migration of working class Californians in search of employment and lower housing costs, contrasting it with in-migration of the same class of Americans during the Depression - also on video.
Municipal Bankruptcy Seen as a Strategy, Rather Than a Failure
Looking to get out from under one of the primary factors for financial distress - pension obligations - city leaders across the United States are viewing bankruptcy as "a valuable tool in a city’s financial toolbox," reports Liz Farmer.
Despite Recent Progress, L.A. Leaders Clamor for More Permitting Reform
Efforts to reform L.A.'s permitting process are proceeding slower than many had hoped, reports Ryan Vaillancourt, and city leaders are looking to make more drastic changes. Could the city's planning department be consolidated as part of the effort?
Former San Diego Planning Director Examines Efforts to Revive the City's Planning Department
Former Planning Director Bill Anderson details the organization, agendas, and partnerships of "best practice" planning departments that San Diego has studied in preparation for the unmerging of its Planning and Development Services departments.
Toronto's Outspoken Chief Planner Ruffles Feathers in Quest for Change
Jennifer Keesmaat is "on her way to becoming modern Toronto’s first celebrity bureaucrat," says Marcus Gee, who profiles the city's new chief planner. Can she succeed in her quest for change without offending those whose support she'll need?
Peninsula Cities Lose Initial CEQA Lawsuit Against High Speed Rail Authority
It was the first of many lawsuits to hit the HSRA. Menlo Park and Atherton, joined later by Palo Alto - three adjoining cities on the San Mateo County/Santa Clara County border, among the wealthiest in the nation, sued in 2008 to reroute the train.
Obama Adds to Cabinet with Energy and Environmental Nominees
As had been rumored, President Obama formally announced Ernest Moniz as his nominee for energy secretary and Gina McCarthy as EPA administrator on Monday. The nominees have attracted criticism from both sides of the aisle.
Fair Housing Gets a Boost With HUD App
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is looking to technology to help Americans learn more about fair housing practices and make it easier to file complaints about discrimination.

U.S. DOT to Develop Its Own Bike and Pedestrian Safety Standards
In news that's sure to please active transportation advocates, outgoing Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced his agency will ditch AASHTO's outdated guidelines and develop its own standards for bicycle and pedestrian safety.
How Will New York's Landscape Change Once Mayor Mike Leaves Office?
Ryan Holeywell looks at the land use legacy of the Bloomberg Administration - perhaps his "signal achievement" - and wonders if his successor can continue the momentum.
In Dire Financial Straits, Detroit to Receive Emergency Manager
Despite a wealth of upbeat news of late (surging downtown, encouraging long range plan, etc.), Detroit received a very unpleasant reminder of its intractable problems when Gov. Rick Snyder announced he will appoint an emergency financial manager.
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Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service