The governor’s proposed budget would slash public transit investment to help make up for a projected $22.5 billion deficit.
The budget proposed by California Governor Gavin Newsom for 2023-2024 would slash $2 billion in funding for transit projects and cut $200 million from bike and pedestrian programs, reports Joe Kukura in SFist.
The cuts could force agencies to reduce service and delays in planned projects. State Senator Scott Wiener, a public transit rider and advocate, says the reduction in funding “could lead to significant service cuts, which is a downward death spiral for some of these agencies.”
California is projected to have a $22.5 billion budget deficit, prompting cuts in a variety of areas, but state and local lawmakers criticize the decision to make such steep cuts to transit as counteractive to the state’s climate and equity goals.
FULL STORY: Newsom’s Proposed Budget Slashes $2 Billion From Public Transportation, Legislators Up In Arms
SEPTA Awarded $153 Million to Stave Off Fare Hikes
Philadelphia’s struggling transit system will be able to delay a 30 percent fare raise, but the temporary fix won't do nearly enough to close its budget gap.
Why Philly’s SEPTA Faces a ‘Death Spiral’
The state has not offered a sustainable source of funding to meet the transit agency’s $240 million budget gap.
Transit Service Cuts Likely Coming to Your Town
Absent additional state or federal funding, public transit systems across the nation could be forced to reduce service.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.
Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.
Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
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