After the most expensive initiative campaign in California history, California voters approved Proposition 22 by a wide margin. The consequences of the vote could go national.

"Californians decisively determined the future of ride-hailing and delivery apps, as 58 percent voted that drivers should be classified as independent contractors, rather than employees," report Faiz Siddiqui and Nitasha Tiku.
"The state ballot measure, Proposition 22, will make drivers independent contractors according to California law," explains the article. "That supersedes a new law, known as A.B. 5, intended to grant drivers full employment, including minimum wage protections, health care and such benefits as unemployment and sick leave."
"Gig economy" companies like Uber and Lyft spent a total of $200 million on Prop. 22—setting a record for election spending on ballot propositions in the state and raising numerous allegations of untruthful campaigning in the process, as documented in the article.
Whatever money these companies spent, and public good will they burned in the process, might come to be just an investment toward similar laws to be replicated around the country, according to the article. A surprising ally in that effort is identified fairly far down in the feature-length article: Former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation and former Mayor of Charlotte Anthony Foxx, who is now Lyft's chief policy officer.
"I think Prop 22 has now created a structure for us to discuss with leaders in other states and Washington, potentially,”" Foxx is quote as saying in the article. "We think that prop 22 has now created a model that can be replicated and can be scaled."
In a separate article on the same Subject, Camille Squires digs further into the potential for "gig economy" companies to spread the model presented by Prop. 22 to other parts of the country. An article by Jeremy B. White includes soundbites from Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi echoing the words of former Secretary Foxx, as well.
And, in the bleak days of uncertainty following the election, Proposition 22 was one source of satirical ire from fake news site The Onion, which headlined a totally fictional, made up article on the subject thusly: "Passed California Ballot Measure Allows Uber, Lyft To Categorize Workers As Car Parts."
FULL STORY: California voters sided with Uber, denying drivers benefits by classifying them as contractors

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ascent Environmental
Borough of Carlisle
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service