Government / Politics

HUD Community Development Fund Down 34% In Proposed Fed. Budget

While HUD's budget has decreased by 4%, the Federal Railroad Administration is up 35%. This is just one of the revelations to be found in this interactive graphic of the Obama Administration's proposed federal budget for 2010.

July 23, 2009 - wallstats.com

Stimulus Projects Bring Delays to Nation's Roads

Thousands of stimulus-funded transportation projects are underway this summer, creating thousands of delays on the nation's roads.

July 22, 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor

Charging Cyclists to Build Bike Infrastructure

Officials in Washington's Clark County are considering a plan to enact an annual fee for bicyclists to fund bike-related infrastructure.

July 22, 2009 - The Columbian

Open City Data, But How Much?

Opening city data to the public was a relatively new idea when the District of Columbia began publishing its data streams online recently. As applications using the data developed, some in the District got a little weary of the idea.

July 22, 2009 - Washington Monthly

Banning Billboards

The city of El Paso, Texas, considers whether to become the latest of several cities to impose new restrictions on billboards that amounts to a ban on future construction.

July 22, 2009 - El Paso Times

Study Showing Danger of Cellphone Driving Buried

The former head of the NHTSA has admitted that he was encouraged to bury the results of a study showing the mounting risk of cellphone use by drivers. The study is being released today under a Freedom of Information Act request.

July 21, 2009 - The New York Times

Lose Lawn, Gain Money

Cities in the Southwest are drying up. With less water to go around, water-intensive plantings like vast lawns are becoming an environmental faux pas. Now some cities are compensating residents for getting rid of them.

July 21, 2009 - GreenBiz

Police Checkpoints Violate Rights to Public Access

The city of Washington, D.C. learns its police checkpoints aimed at reducing crime in hot spots are unconstitutional.

July 20, 2009 - Washington Post

Oberstar Predicts The Future of Transportation

In this radio interview covering high speed rail, streetcars, bicycling, and paying for the proposed $500 billion transportation bill, Chairman Oberstar of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee discusses the future of transportation.

July 20, 2009 - Living on Earth

Don't Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor?

New studies rank cities based on the extent to which they "criminalize homelessness."

July 20, 2009 - NPR

Middle East Choking as Euphrates Shrinks

Water policies in Syria and Turkey are draining the Euphrates River dry, and neighboring Iraq is feeling all the hurt from it.

July 20, 2009 - The New York Times

Inching Towards Graywater Reuse in Oregon

Legislators in Oregon are making moves to allow residents to reuse graywater.

July 20, 2009 - The Statesman Journal

Prince Charles vs. the Architects

A dust-up between architects and the Prince of Wales over a speech and a £1b development is bringing the age-old battle between traditional and modern architecture to a head. Managing editor Tim Halbur summarizes the news.

July 20, 2009 - Tim Halbur

China's Urban Policy Leaps While U.S. Lags

China's fast-paced development is making it into a major economic power. Its emphasis on urban policy is leaving the U.S. in the dust, writes Eugenie Birch.

July 18, 2009 - Citiwire

Dealing With Vacant Mansions in London

In a posh borough of London, empty homes are causing problems for officials, who are tasked with finding the owners of these vacant or abandoned mansions.

July 17, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

Congressmen Propose Water Trust Fund

A group of U.S. representatives has proposed the creation of a national trust fund for water infrastructure in the U.S.

July 17, 2009 - Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Prayer at City Council

The ACLU and local clergy are fighting over the prayers recited at City Council meetings in San Marcos, Texas, near Austin.

July 17, 2009 - San Marcos Daily Record

Make No Big Plans

Salon's Michael Lind argues that attempts to create "comprehensive reform" of anything is a recipe for disaster.

July 16, 2009 - Salon.com

London Transit Guru Moves to New York's MTA

An American-born transit planner who help usher in congestion pricing and smart transit card technology in London has been nominated to chair New York's transit system.

July 16, 2009 - The New York Times

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