Loosening alcohol laws to revitalize your city’s economy is a mistake

Cities must keep our public spaces alcohol-free to preserve health and safety, warns a policy consultant at the Institute for Public Strategies, a public health organization.

By Daniel Skiles • Nov. 22, 2024

How the IIJA is funding increased transportation carbon emissions

Although the 2021 infrastructure law provided record funding for rail and mass transit, money going to highway expansion projects may lead to a net increase in transportation CO2 emissions by 2040. 

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 20, 2024

New York congestion pricing to start Jan. 5

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced plans to begin the controversial program with reduced fees, but President-elect Donald Trump, House Republicans and some New Jersey Democrats remain opposed to the plan.

By Dan Zukowski • Updated Nov. 19, 2024

NY Gov. Hochul pressured to reinstate congestion pricing before Trump takes office

President-elect Donald Trump opposes New York's plan to toll drivers entering Manhattan's central business district. Advocates want the plan implemented now.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 13, 2024

Trump agenda has states, advocacy groups girding for legal battles

California, New York and Illinois are among states readying to sue the Trump administration over divisive issues such as reproductive rights, climate regulation and immigration.

By Justin Bachman • Nov. 11, 2024

How will a second Trump administration affect transportation policy?

Federal support for public transportation, Amtrak, high-speed rail and electric vehicles may be at risk, experts said.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 6, 2024

National Housing Crisis Task Force unveils agenda for next president, Congress

The federal government must “fundamentally restructure” its organization to address the housing crisis, according to recommendations from 28 public, civic and corporate leaders. 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 5, 2024

Transit agencies must improve rail worker safety under new FTA rule

The Federal Transit Administration seeks to reduce the number of workers killed and injured while working on or around tracks.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 4, 2024

FAA sets air taxi pilot training, operations final rule

Powered-lift aircraft like eVTOL, which operate like both helicopters and airplanes, are "the first new category of aircraft in nearly 80 years," the FAA administrator said in announcing the new rule.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 25, 2024

NYC comptroller proposes stopping pensions’ private market investments in fossil fuels

The funds would be the first U.S. public pension plans to have exclusions on investing in fossil fuel infrastructure like pipelines and liquefied natural gas terminals.

By Lamar Johnson • Oct. 25, 2024

How transit ballot measures fared in Nov. 5 elections

Many local and state transportation improvements earned bipartisan support even when measures asked to increase taxes, an analyst said.

By Dan Zukowski • Updated Nov. 8, 2024

Massachusetts investing in commuter rail to relieve traffic congestion

“Our roads are at a standstill,” the state’s transportation secretary said at a conference last week, detailing how the state is making passenger rail a priority.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 22, 2024

Communities could lose unspent ARPA funds in December if they don’t do this

Governments generally must “obligate” the funds, which requires more than passing a budget or earmarking them for use.

By Tom Kaleko and Lucas Peterson • Oct. 21, 2024

Platform compiles ‘proven solutions’ to urban challenges, from air pollution to homelessness

Bloomberg Philanthropies' Cities Idea Exchange added programs and policies that it says have a track record of stoking stakeholder interest and attracting investment.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 16, 2024

9 bike-friendly laws signed by California governor

Bicycle advocates cheered laws that spur bike and pedestrian infrastructure construction, but Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed two bills that advocates hoped would rein in driver speeding.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 14, 2024

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