Blog
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May 20, 2021
Advocating For Zoning Reform
Catch up on the latest efforts by planners who are leading zoning reform across the country. -
April 13, 2021
Connecticut Planners Take Zoning Reform Fight to the State
Zoning reform efforts are underway in Connecticut, a state with a long history of exclusionary zoning. Several bills that aim to tackle zoning reform are in play at the legislature this session — and planners are weighing in. -
April 2, 2021
Federal Housing Bill Creates New Support and Incentives For Planning
A bipartisan bill that would empower planners to reform zoning and development codes, create housing action plans, and modernize regulatory structures has been introduced in Congress. -
April 2, 2021
Administration’s Bold Infrastructure Plan Holds Promise For Planners, But Questions Remain
Planners and communities are eager to see transformational infrastructure policy move forward in Washington. While President Biden's infrastructure plan offers much promise, there are also important questions that remain unanswered about support for planning-led solutions in any infrastructure package. -
March 25, 2021
Return of Congressional Earmarks Marks New Funding Opportunity For Planners
Earmarks are back on Capitol Hill, giving planners a new pathway for securing funding for critical projects. APA's Jason Jordan breaks down what planners need to know to secure federal support for transportation project earmarks. -
February 25, 2021
What Planners Should Know About the Current COVID Relief Bill
The latest coronavirus relief bill has only one legislative hurdle to clear before becoming law. With the House of Representatives expected to vote on the final legislation tomorrow, planners will see federal action on one of our four legislative priorities this week. -
January 27, 2021
Planners Secure Zoning Reform Win in Massachusetts
A new economic development bill includes provisions that will make it easier for towns and cities across Massachusetts to produce more housing by greenlighting certain local zoning changes with a simple majority vote. -
January 26, 2021
Action Already Underway for 2021 Legislative Priorities
The beginning of the Biden administration and the 117th Congress have been marked with quick action on many of APA's top legislative priorities for 2021. -
December 29, 2020
Planners' Activism Spurred Congress to Act for Communities
Despite an unusually contentious and unpredictable two-year session, the 116th Congress acted on several long-time APA legislative priorities. -
December 16, 2020
Planners Poised to Play Prominent Role in Presidential Transition
Planners are advising President-elect Joe Biden's transition team, which could mean more opportunities to build federal support for planning and planning-related programs in the next four years. -
September 30, 2020
Maintaining Advocacy Momentum: Three Steps for Planners
Three ways planners can keep up the advocacy momentum for the remainder of 2020. -
September 9, 2020
4 Cost-Effective Ways Planners Can Boost Census Response
With less than a month before the end of data collection for the 2020 Census, planners are making final efforts to help increase self-response rates in the hardest-to-count neighborhoods. -
August 19, 2020
Centering Planning in the Federal Surface Transportation Debate
With the nation's current surface transportation law set to expire next month, APA Policy Director Jason Jordan explores the path to reauthorization legislation and the status of key planning priorities. -
July 28, 2020
Planners Demand Emergency Funding for State, Local Governments
Negotiations on a new wave of federal emergency assistance are underway in Congress — but direct support for states and communities remains a sticking point. -
July 9, 2020
As States Distribute Funds, More Relief Needed for Communities
It is critical that states distribute federal stimulus funds from CARES Act equitably and efficiently, and we continue advocacy for additional federal relief for state and local governments. -
July 8, 2020
Congress Looks to Planning as a Climate Crisis Solution
A new congressional climate action plan positions planning as one solution to tackling climate change. APA supported the creation of the plan by contributing ideas for how federal climate policy can set the context for effective local and regional plans. -
July 8, 2020
Fighting for Federal Support: Planners Speak Out
The COVID-19 pandemic has pulled financial limitations into sharp focus for many state and local governments. Planners need immediate and flexible federal support to retain jobs and help communities recover and rebuild. -
May 7, 2020
Will Congress Deliver the Relief Communities Need to Avoid Fiscal Calamity?
Communities are facing mounting fiscal pressures as expenditures skyrocket and revenues quickly dry up. APA has joined with leading national organizations to urge Congress to provide robust, flexible relief for municipalities and states now. -
May 6, 2020
The Economic State of the States
A look at the economic state of the states at this point in the COVID-19 pandemic — and why planners are so critical to response and recovery. -
April 28, 2020
How to Help Your Community Access CARES Act Aid
The CARES Act provides local governments with relief aid to address the immediate economic impact of COVID-19. Be in the know about how to help your community access CARES Act aid. -
March 31, 2020
Supporting Local Governments in a Shifting State Landscape
Communities across the country continue to grapple with challenges created by COVID-19. How can state governments enable local governments and planners to serve their communities during this time? -
March 27, 2020
Coronavirus Relief for Communities: APA Breaks It Down
Get a breakdown of the March 2020 coronavirus relief bill, or CARES Act. -
February 3, 2020
3 Top Issues for Planners in 2020 State Legislatures
As 2020 state legislative sessions start up, here are three top issues for planners. -
August 6, 2019
Address the Nation’s Housing Crisis: Action for the States
State legislation is a part of housing reform. Here are APA's actions for the states. -
August 2, 2019
Federal Surface Transportation Debate Shifts Into High Gear
The nation's current surface transportation law is set to expire on September 30, 2020. Learn where work on the bill stands now, the legislative process ahead, and how planners can influence the outcome. -
July 16, 2019
"If I'd Heard From Just One Constituent..."
The constituent voice is critical for elected officials as they make decisions. Take a peek at how planners elevated their voices at the state level as 2019 legislative sessions wrap up. -
July 11, 2019
Mayors Are Addressing the Housing Crisis — And Planning Is Part of the Solution
Read about the three key housing crisis takeaways for planners in the new National League of Cities Housing Task Force report, Homeward Bound. -
July 1, 2019
What Did and Didn't Change With the Supreme Court’s Knick Decision
APA Amicus Committee Chair John Baker explains what the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn a longstanding property takings precedent means for planners. -
June 28, 2019
A Planners' Call to Action: The 2020 Census
With the issue of the controversial U.S. Census citizenship question settled, planners must now embrace their role as facilitators of effective outreach to ensure that an undercount of the nation’s younger, lower income, and black and Hispanic residents is avoided. -
May 13, 2019
Washington Talks Infrastructure: Will This Time Be Different?
APA Policy Director Jason Jordan reviews the current state of legislative debates on infrastructure in Washington and explores the ways in which APA and its planning advocates are influencing policy ideas in the making. -
May 13, 2019
Planners Adapt as Infrastructure Gets Smarter
Technology is changing the ways we commute and communicate. How is this evolution influencing the physical shared space around us and the way it is managed? -
April 22, 2019
Street Air on Earth Day
Members of the Street Air Project have studied the air pollution problem in Bay View, California, with the goal of quantifying the issues and seeking scientific and planning-related solutions. -
March 29, 2019
A New Planning Partnership Brings Art to Public Spaces
Forecast Public Art is collaborating with APA to identify and address gaps at the intersection of public art and planning practice. -
Expanding California's Leadership in Diversifying the Planning Profession
What does diversity and inclusion mean to APA, the planning profession, and planners' efforts to address diversity, inclusion, and equity in planning? Hear from two planners about the road to progress in California. -
January 29, 2019
Four Plans for Shaping the Future of Puerto Rico
A summary of four plans that will shape Puerto Rico’s response to the urgent humanitarian needs of the island’s residents after Hurricanes Irma and Maria. -
APA’s Impact on the 115th Congress
A look back at the ways that APA advocacy made a difference in the 115th Congress. -
November 20, 2018
Three Issues Congress Must Grapple With in 2018 Lame Duck Session
The final act of the 115th Congress is under way and the “lame duck” session has a number of pending issues and imminent deadlines, including appropriations, the Farm Bill, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). -
November 7, 2018
10 Takeaways from the 2018 Midterm Elections
The 2018 Midterm Elections delivered historic firsts and set the stage for shifts in power likely to affect legislative outcomes on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures nationwide. APA reviews the key takeaways. -
October 26, 2018
Planners at the Polls: Housing, Infrastructure on 2018 Ballots
State and local ballot measures are driving voters to the polls this fall. We are watching some key planning-related measures that could have an impact on your community. -
October 15, 2018
This Year’s Big Planning Idea: Unlocking the Value of Land
Land value capture — the concept behind several mechanisms to finance infrastructure, affordable housing, and other key components of urban development — was rich food for thought at the 2018 Daniel Burnham Forum on Big Ideas. -
October 12, 2018
Hazard Mitigation Reforms Hitch a Ride on FAA Bill
Congressional legislation reauthorizing the FAA included important reforms that promote hazard mitigation and resiliency. The legislation marks one of the most sweeping changes to federal hazard programs in years. -
October 9, 2018
Addressing Housing Solutions in Washington and Beyond
Housing issues took center stage at this year’s APA Policy and Advocacy Conference. Discussions of the nation’s housing crisis and new solutions to address housing affordability were the clear themes and focus. -
October 4, 2018
Congressional Funding Could Affect Your Local Park
Funding for our parks, green spaces, and the National Park Service are on Congress's agenda. APA is calling on planning advocates to ensure these vital spaces and sources of funding will be protected. -
October 2, 2018
FCC Decision on 5G Wireless Raises Flags for Local Planning
The FCC has issued a two-part order seeking to streamline the deployment of small cell infrastructure, raising concerns over the preemption of local control. -
July 31, 2018
Meeting the Housing Challenge in Norfolk as Sea Levels Rise
Norfolk, Virginia, is facing unique housing challenges from sea-level rise. Planners there are working to give residents more housing options in low-risk flood areas. -
July 31, 2018
What Does the Farm Bill Mean for Planning and Public Health?
Discussions about the next Farm Bill are under way, both in Congress and across the country. Learn more about this multi-year law that authorizes most federal policies governing food and agriculture. -
July 25, 2018
What to Know as Congress Gears Up for Farm Bill Conference
The current farm bill is set to expire. The House and Senate will meet to confer on bills that differ on policies for farming, land conservation, nutrition programs, planning, and rural development. -
July 24, 2018
House Transportation Chair's Infrastructure Plan Includes Gas Tax Increase
House Transportation Chairman Bill Shuster proposes phased, temporary gas tax increases to fund infrastructure spending and an expanded grant program to fund projects. -
June 5, 2018
State-Level Housing Action Heats Up Nationwide
Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Louisiana are among the states making housing news. From inclusionary zoning to affordable housing, these states demonstrate the geographic reach and varying approaches to the housing crisis. -
June 1, 2018
Congress Making Progress on Appropriations, CR Still Likely
Congress is racing to complete as much appropriations work as possible prior to the August recess, but legislators are unlikely to avoid the need for a continuing resolution.
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