Government / Politics

Kansas City Regional Light Rail Should Be Scaled Down

This editorial from The Kansas City Star argues that Mayor Mark Funkhouser's plan to create a regional light rail system may be too ambitious, and efforts should be focused on building a smaller system.

February 10, 2008 - The Kansas City Star

Refreshing Vancouver's Density Debate

As Vancouver weighs the importance of density in the city, some say the debate needs a refresh.

February 9, 2008 - The Globe & Mail

Boston's Chinatown May Be Growing Up

Despite complaints from residents and critics, a 27-story tower to be built on the edge of Boston's high-rise Financial District and its more modest Chinatown neighborhood has passed review form the city's design commission.

February 8, 2008 - The Boston Globe

Weekly Foreclosure Auctions Expand In Miami

The rise of foreclosure cases in Miami-Dade County is overloading the County Clerk's office, causing the office to expand its auction days from two to three days per week.

February 7, 2008 - The Miami Herald

Controversial Toll Road Through State Beach Heads to Commission

The California Coastal Commission is scheduled to weigh the planned completion of a 28-mile toll road that would cut through a state beach. Many say the road is necessary to cut congestion between San Diego and L.A., but others see it as destructive.

February 6, 2008 - The New York Times

Carolina's Triangle Region Pursues 2020 Transit Expansion

A regional rail and bus expansion is now being planned for several cities in North Carolina's Triangle Region. However, if the plan is to come to fruition, voters must agree to carrying half of the costs.

February 6, 2008 - The News and Observer

Florida's Sierra Club Pursues Urban Growth Boundary

Despite lacking enough signatures for a statewide amendment, a local Sierra Club chapter is pursuing growth limits in Florida's Polk County.

February 6, 2008 - The Ledger

Just Don't Call it a 'McMansion'

This article discusses an architect's attempt to classify his homes as "McMansions" and the city's unwillingness to accept the "McMansion" label as an acceptable way to categorize the architecture of proposed homes.

February 6, 2008 - The North County Times

Will a New President Cut Congestion?

This piece from the Los Angeles Times asks some experts how a new president could potentially reduce the nation's congestion.

February 6, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

New High-Speed Train Introduced In France

A train capable of reaching speeds of 224 mph has been unveiled in France.

February 6, 2008 - BBC News

California May Close Parks to Cut Budget

As part of an effort to reduce the state's budget expenses, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed a plan that would close 48 state parks.

February 4, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Fare Card and a Rifle

Heavily armed police officers will now be joining the ranks of daily commuters in New York's Subway system as part of a new counter-terrorism effort funded by federal transportation grants.

February 4, 2008 - The New York Times

Man Sued For Reducing Waste

A California man reduced his waste to zero, so he canceled his garbage collection. But garbage collection is required in his city, so the local government is suing.

February 4, 2008 - The Examiner

Judge Orders $409 Million Restored To California Transit Account

The settlement comes after a group sued to have $1.2 billion restored to the transit fund after the state shifted funds to balance the budget, paying for transportation-related programs that normally would have been paid from the general fund.

February 4, 2008 - The Sacramento Bee

Largest Low Emission Zone Opens

The world's largest low emission zone will come into effect next week in London.

February 2, 2008 - Reuters via Environmental News Network

Kansas City Light Rail Crime 'Myths' - Part 2

In the second of a two-part blog post, Jeffrey Spivak calls to question the Cato Institute's attempts to cast Kansas City light rail as crime ridden.

February 1, 2008 - Kanas City Star Prime Buzz

Kansas City Light Rail Crime 'Myths' - Part 1

In part one of a two-part blog post, Jeffrey Spivak calls to question the Cato Institute's attempts to cast light rail as crime ridden.

January 31, 2008 - Kanas City Star Prime Buzz

Corps Can't Be Held Responsible

A federal court ruled recently that the Army Corps of Engineers could not be held liable for the levee fialures that caused the flooding of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.

January 31, 2008 - Associated Press

When Out-of-Towners Crash, Cities Want Cash

Resulting from high numbers of car accidents involving people from out of town, cities across the country are adopting measures that charge drivers and their insurance companies for the city services performed at crash sites.

January 31, 2008 - USA Today

Car 'Feebate' Under Consideration in California

The California Assembly is considering a bill that would create the nation's first "feebate" -- a charge or rebate California drivers would pay or receive depending on how much greenhouse gas their cars emit.

January 30, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

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