The memo ties immigration enforcement to federal funding and prohibits mask or vaccine mandates.

A new memo issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation orders programs supported by the agency to prioritize funding for communities with higher-than-average marriage and birth rates, HuffPost reports. The memo also prohibits recipients of DOT funds from imposing vaccine or mask mandates, and ties funding to compliance with federal immigration enforcement.
“Newly confirmed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy buried his agency’s oddly specific requirement by describing the memo as focused on economic growth ― rather than population growth ― and echoed Trump’s criticisms of programs to improve diversity, equity and inclusion,” HuffPost reporters Sanjana Karanth and Jennifer Bendery write, noting that states with higher marriage and birth rates include predominantly white and religious states like Utah and South Dakota according to 2022 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The article includes the full memo, entitled “Ensuring Reliance Upon Sound Economic Analysis In Department of Transportation Policies, Programs, and Activities” as an embedded document.
FULL STORY: New DOT Memo Directs Funds To Communities With Higher ‘Marriage And Birth Rates’

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Opinion: Transit Agencies Must View Service Cuts as Last Resort
Reducing service could cripple transit systems by pushing more riders to consider car ownership, making future recovery even less certain.

‘Smart Surfaces’ Policy Guide Offers Advice for Building and Maintaining Urban Tree Canopies
Healthy, robust tree canopies can reduce the impacts of extreme heat and improve air quality.

New Jersey Lawsuit Targets Rent-Setting Algorithms
The state of New Jersey is taking legal action against landlords and companies that engage in what the state’s Attorney General alleges is illegal rent fixing.
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