Since at least the housing crash, government programs like the mortgage interest deduction that subsidize homeowners over the millions of Americans that rent their homes have come in for criticism. A proposed New York tax might address the imbalance.
"This week, [New York Governor Andrew] Cuomo formally announced the tax-relief blueprint that he'll pursue this year as he prepares for re-election," reports Emily Badger. "And, most notably, the package now includes a renter's tax credit that he says would aid 1.7 million people in New York City."
Though the proposal seems to have been included for political reasons, rather than ideology, "the credit at least acknowledges [renters] presence in New York State (and the fact that many of them may be more in need of housing aid than some homeowners)," writes Badger. "Housing policy that balances the needs of homeowners and renters is sorely needed well beyond New York, but renters in the rest of the country can hardly count on a similar political calculus."
FULL STORY: New York State Floats a Tax Credit for Renters

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