Government / Politics

Banning Russian Oil
President Biden announced a ban on the importation of Russian energy on Tuesday in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. He warned that gasoline prices will go even higher as a result. Europe will not be joining the ban.

Road Usage Charges Face Staunch Opposition
The resistance to a proposed mileage-based tax in San Diego County highlights the challenges of passing road usage fees.

Planning For Ukrainian Refugees
Millions of Ukrainian refugees are flowing into European cities. This begs the question: how can cities like Przemysl, Poland, and many others, successfully integrate displaced Ukrainians as active members of local politics, economies, and society?

NHTSA Could Expand Safety Requirements to Include Pedestrians
In a radical shift from prior policy that singled out passenger safety, new cars could be required to include more features that protect people outside the vehicle.

How Zoning Reform Could Ease Montana's Housing Crunch
A new report recommends increased production of 'missing middle housing' in Montana, which, like other Western states, is experiencing rapid growth and an increasingly tight housing market.

EPA Moves To Tighten Regulations on Emissions
Many environmental groups argue the EPA's proposed plan, which is less stringent than California's regulations, doesn't go far enough to support electrification and reduce GHG emissions.

The Conservative Case for Urbanism
Although walkable urbanism is often seen as a leftist priority, one writer argues that reducing car dependence actually closely aligns with conservative values.

Corruption Case and a Call for Reform: Aldermanic Privilege Under Scrutiny in Chicago
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is once again pushing to eliminate aldermanic privilege after a federal racketeering case ensnarled local and state elected officials.

Boise Looks to Upzoning To Ease Housing Pressures
The rapidly growing city is evaluating ways to increase housing production, reduce car dependency, and make Boise more walkable.

San Diego Housing Costs Cresting San Francisco Prices
The notoriously pricy Bay Area city has been dethroned as the country's most expensive metropolis.

Senate Vote Illustrates America's Polarized Response to Pandemic
A Senate joint resolution to roll back the Biden administration's only vaccine mandate to be upheld by the Supreme Court passed on a party-line vote on March 2. In Europe, the legislative branch often needs to approve these measures to become law.

The Missing Sanctions on Russia
President Biden took aim at Russia in his State of the Union address for the war it has started in Ukraine, vowing that they will "pay a price" which so far has yet to extend to their oil and gas exports.

Philadelphia 'Diversion Program' Prevents Evictions Through Mediation
A program that provides mediation between landlords and tenants has helped a majority of applicants avoid eviction, signaling a promising avenue for renter assistance as landlords seek to recoup COVID-era losses.

Reno-Area Upzoning Stirs Concern Among Residents
A county plan to allow a zoning change that slightly increases allowable density in unincorporated parts of Washoe County is drawing criticism from locals.

How Cities Can Curb Climate Change and Protect Vulnerable Residents
A new U.N. report urges cities to upgrade their infrastructure to bolster climate resilience and build more sustainable, climate-friendly places.

No Evictions for Less Than $600, Says New D.C. Law
As part of a bill that made many COVID-era tenant protections permanent, the District voted to ban eviction filings for households owing less than $600 in back rent.

When Will We Believe in Induced Demand?
The well-documented concept has yet to catch on in state departments of transportation, but acknowledging it could dramatically transform U.S. transportation policy.

Building Safety, Climate Change, and Equity
A Portland coalition is drawing attention to the disproportionate impacts of unsafe and inefficient housing on low-income households and pushing for legislation that would mandate building improvements and tenant protections.

Denver Debates Inclusionary Housing Plan
Atlanta's inclusionary housing program, which closely reflects the proposed Denver plan, could serve as a bellwether for Denver's own future.

How Cities Are Resisting State Efforts To Increase Density
Cities are attempting to wrest back local control over land use and zoning via some ingenious—and sometimes disingenuous—strategies.
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