Government / Politics

Red "Vote Here" sign with white text and arrow pointing left on green lawn next to curb

The Crucial Role of Suburban Voters in the Midterms

Suburban voters were instrumental in preventing a 'red wave' on Election Day and on December 6 in the Georgia U.S. Senate runoff election, enabling the Democrats to win a 51st Senate seat.

December 25, 2022 - CNN

Highway sign for Santa Ana, California

O.C. City To Create Rental Registry to Enforce Rent Control Laws

Santa Ana will require landlords to register their properties and rent increases and is creating a seven-seat board to help enforce rent stabilization and settle disputes.

December 23, 2022 - OC Register

Aerial view of red painted bus-only center lanes on Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco

S.F. Accelerates Parking Removal at Bus Stops From 7 Years to 18 Months

Reviewing changes in bulk will make it easier for the Municipal Transportation Agency to remove parking around bus stops in San Francisco.

December 22, 2022 - San Francisco Chronicle

Multicolored four-story New York City buildings with storefronts on ground floor

New York City Council Wants Community Engagement to Lead Affordable Housing Development

New York Mayor Eric Adams and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams have proposed very different responses to the city’s lack of affordable housing.

December 21, 2022 - Brownstoner

Capitol Hill

GAO Decision Makes it Easier for States to Spend Federal Infrastructure on Roads

An attempt by the Biden administration to control new infrastructure dollars has been foiled by the Congressional Review Act.

December 19, 2022 - Politico Pro

A toll payment facility in Florida.

Florida to Provide Toll Relief for Frequent Commuters

It will be cheaper to drive around Florida, starting January 1.

December 19, 2022 - Florida Department of Transportation

Two people on bikes in San Diego, California

California’s Year in Bike Policy

Bike and pedestrian advocates saw some big legislative and political wins in 2022.

December 16, 2022 - CalBike Report

Plaque with City Hall engraved

What Is the Best Way To Run a City?

City management models offer different benefits and drawbacks.

December 13, 2022 - Governing

Group of people waiting in line at polling place

Brookings: A Demographic Post-Mortem of the Midterms

Young adults, according to a deep dive analysis by Brookings Metro demographer William Frey, were a key demographic group responsible for stopping the red wave that most polling predicted as the likely outcome of last month's midterm elections.

December 9, 2022 - Brookings

Biketown

Roadways for People: The Necessity of Collaboration

Breaking down planning silos to ensure transportation options in a car-oriented world.

December 8, 2022 - Lynn Peterson and Elizabeth Doerr

Trump Sign

Chicago Tribune Editorial Board Calls for Removal of the Trump Sign

“A deal’s a deal,” wrote the former president of the sign in 2014. The same former president has since called for the “termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution.”

December 8, 2022 - The Chicago Tribune

Portland, Oregon street

Portland Moves Forward With Contentious Homelessness Strategy

The city’s plan to reduce the number of unhoused people has met with criticism, particularly for a proposal to ban encampment on public property citywide.

December 7, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

Bike Lane in Philadelphia

Opinion: The Case Against Bounty Laws

Recent proposals that would reward citizens for reporting bike lane violations could further damage social cohesion and create a ‘narc economy.’

December 7, 2022 - StreetsBlog NYC

View of park ranger with tan hat from behind, ranger looking out at Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Western Voters: Yes to Conservation, No to Extremism

Voters in Western states generally favored candidates who support public land conservation in this November’s election and rejected extremist rhetoric.

November 29, 2022 - High Country News

Dayton, Ohio

As Remote Work Persists, Ohio Cities Brace for Tax Revenue Losses

Cities like Dayton expect to see a reduction in income tax revenue as more remote workers begin paying taxes to their home jurisdictions.

November 29, 2022 - Dayton Daily News

The downtown high rises of Hamilton, Ontario are surrounded by greenery and the blue of Lake Ontario on a sunny day.

In Reversal, Ontario Government Could Open Toronto Greenbelt to Development

The Toronto Greenbelt was an urban growth boundary created in 2005 as one of the most obvious political victories for the Smart Growth movement in North America. A new bill would reverse course on the region’s growth policies.

November 27, 2022 - The Narwhal

Seattle

Seattle Considering Expedited Design Review for Affordable Housing

An emergency order in April 2020 exempted affordable housing projects from the city of Seattle’s design review process. A new ordinance would allow affordable housing proposals there own path to approval for another two-year test period.

November 22, 2022 - The Center Square

Texas Capitol Building

Texas Legislator Proposes ‘District of Austin’

A conservative lawmaker wants to dissolve the state’s capital city, saying officials there have ‘failed the city’ with too-liberal policies.

November 22, 2022 - Houston Chronicle

Palm Springs

New Scoping Plan Sets Carbon Neutrality Goal for California

California has long led the nation in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A law approved in 2006 still provides direction for the state’s efforts.

November 21, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

"Vote Here" sidewalk sign with American flag

2022 Midterm Election Results for Land Use, Transportation, and the Climate

The most closely watched midterm election since the last midterm election offered voters an opportunity to decide on matters of consequence related to land use, housing, transportation, and the environment.

November 9, 2022 - James Brasuell

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