How the White House influences transportation grantmaking

Priorities vary among administrations, an Urban Institute report found. “The president actually has substantial discretion over a lot of these programs,” one researcher said.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 9, 2024

$50B in transit ballot measures riding on November election

Support for voter-approved transit funding has been strong. Transit agencies and advocates shared their stories at a recent American Public Transportation Association conference.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 8, 2024

2025’s top smart city conferences

Smart city technology, housing, climate action, road safety and more will take center stage at events already announced for next year.

By Ysabelle Kempe , Dan Zukowski • Oct. 1, 2024

How a 2nd Trump administration could ‘jeopardize’ Inflation Reduction Act climate funds

If elected, could Donald Trump claw back or withhold funds from communities? Experts from Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law offer insight.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 19, 2024

Federal watchdog urges EPA to develop comprehensive cyber strategy to protect water systems

The report comes amid a rise in malicious cyberthreats from state-linked and criminal hackers targeting U.S. drinking water and water treatment facilities. 

By David Jones • Aug. 8, 2024

Congestion pricing alone won’t solve New York’s traffic problem

Car-free streets, dedicated bus lanes, lower speed limits and variable toll pricing are among other cities' strategies for success, says TomTom's VP for traffic and travel information.

By Ralf-Peter Schäfer • Aug. 6, 2024

Some US DOT equity performance goals lack clarity, accuracy, reliability: GAO report

Actions the Transportation Department could take to better assess its progress on equity goals were among the report's recommendations.

By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 5, 2024

Economic development a top priority for mayors, National League of Cities says

For the first time in the NLC report’s 11-year history, housing is one of the top three themes among the 50 mayoral addresses analyzed. 

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 25, 2024

US mayors react to Biden’s election dropout

President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he is ending his reelection campaign. “He worked hand in hand with us to deliver some of the most consequential legislation for cities,” one mayor said.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 22, 2024

US House appropriations bill would slash DOT grants by $2B in FY2025

House Republicans set out their priorities for transportation funding but acknowledge that the November election’s outcome will likely decide future spending.

By Dan Zukowski • July 22, 2024

U.S. cities are raising climate ambition through subnational diplomacy

U.S. cities join a global movement to push for stronger local involvement in national climate plans.

By Barbara Riedemann • July 22, 2024

Boston has a new anti-rat plan. Here are 3 takeaways.

“We’re working to make Boston a home for everyone. Except for rats," Mayor Michelle Wu said as the city released a report by a leading urban rat researcher.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 18, 2024

House GOP looks at transportation regulations in light of Chevron doctrine ruling

Chairs of the Transportation and Infrastructure and House Oversight and Accountability committees asked three Cabinet leaders to compile information dating back to Jan. 20, 2021.

By Dan Zukowski • July 16, 2024

Proposed OSHA heat rule leaves waste industry with operational questions

Waste and recycling groups say the proposed standard raises practical questions of how to change schedules and other operations to better protect workers from the heat. 

By Megan Quinn • July 12, 2024

5 major announcements from ICLEI’s global sustainable cities and regions congress

Over 1,500 urban leaders from 96 countries addressed key climate and resilience issues at the ICLEI World Congress 2024 in São Paulo, Brazil, paving the way for city and region significance at COP30 in Belém in 2025.

By Ariel Dekovic • July 8, 2024

What US mayors want from the next president, Congress

The creation of a first-ever city mental health block grant, affordable housing investments and gun safety legislation are among the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ requests.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 27, 2024

MTA votes on New York congestion pricing plan Wednesday

Gov. Hochul halted the tolling plan for vehicles entering Manhattan's business district. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's board of directors will vote on it as Inrix names New York the world's most congested city.

By Dan Zukowski • June 25, 2024

Los Angeles County’s Skilled Trades Summers initiative engages nearly 400 teens

Launched by Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, the initiative pays students while they receive hands-on training in fields like solar panel installation.

By Nish Amarnath • June 24, 2024

4 US cities driven by data

Artificial intelligence presents new opportunities for how cities can use data, said Rochelle Haynes, managing director of the What Works Cities Certification program.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 17, 2024

9 senators call for EPA funding to address landfill methane

They want more than $6.7 million to go to states for advanced methane detection technology and $5 million for local governments to develop methane reductions plans at municipally owned landfills. 

By Jacob Wallace • June 11, 2024

Uber loses gig worker court decision

The battle over whether gig workers are independent contractors continues. A separate court case will decide the legality of a Lyft- and Uber-backed ballot measure in California that would define them as such.

By Dan Zukowski • June 11, 2024

NY governor stops Manhattan congestion pricing plan ‘indefinitely’

The plan to help fund the transit authority by charging drivers entering Manhattan’s central business district faced fierce opposition from labor unions, taxi drivers and commuters.

By Dan Zukowski • June 5, 2024

Uvalde families announce $2M settlement with city, additional lawsuits

While the families of those killed in a 2022 mass shooting will not pursue further legal action against the city, their legal team said they are suing state-level officers and intend to sue the federal government.

By Naaz Modan • May 24, 2024

Clean energy fund surplus sparks tension in Pacific Northwest city

The Portland, Oregon, program has brought in millions of dollars more than originally anticipated, putting some city leaders and climate advocates at odds over how to proceed.

By Ysabelle Kempe • May 16, 2024

More money needed for infrastructure fixes: ASCE

Headwinds such as supply chain challenges and extreme weather are keeping the investment gap from being noticeably reduced, the American Society of Civil Engineers said in a report released Monday.

By Julie Strupp • May 13, 2024