Five counties in metropolitan Minneapolis have approved the creation of a new quarter-cent sales tax that will be dedicated to funding transit projects.
"In historic votes that could hasten development of new rail lines and bus transitways in the Twin Cities area, three more metro counties Tuesday approved a new transit sales tax that takes effect on July 1."
"Hennepin and Dakota county commissioners both approved the quarter-cent sales tax -- which would amount to a penny on a $4 purchase -- on 5-2 votes, joining Ramsey and Anoka counties, which passed the tax last week."
"The new tax could raise more than $100 million in 2009."
"The optional tax is the result of the transportation bill passed by the Legislature in February over the governor's veto. Metro counties that passed the tax will join a joint powers board that will award grants and issue bonds for transit projects. Each county also will impose a $20 excise tax on vehicle sales by auto dealers."
FULL STORY: 3 more counties OK transit sales tax
Best Ideas of the Week
Another week has passed, and some more exciting and interesting ideas have taken root in the world of urban planning.
Twin Cities Trains Move to Fewer Cars, Higher Frequency
Headways will drop from 15 minutes to 12 minutes.
New Bus Rapid Transit Route Breaks Ground in the Twin Cities
The Twin Cities are on a mission to become the bus rapid transit capital of the United States. The latest improvement to advance that ambition broke ground earlier this week.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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