Frequently Asked Questions: Planning and the New Trump Administration
Election Results
Does APA have a position on the election results?
APA's nonprofit status prohibits the organization from supporting or endorsing specific candidates or elected officials. APA takes positions on issues, but not candidates. However, elections are important to our shared civic life and that makes them important to the planning profession.
APA CEO James Drinan's January Perspectives column in Planning magazine outlines his thoughts on the way forward after the recent election. The column provides useful insights into the critical role of planning in the aftermath of the election, and it offers some messaging themes to incorporate into personal statements about planning and the election. Those themes are:
- Planning matters more than ever, as a force for civic engagement and good policy decision making.
- The work of planners and APA will always be rooted in an ethical obligation to advance the public interest.
- In a complex and sometimes chaotic political environment, elected officials need good planning to make good policy.
- The involvement of APA members in shaping policy and advocacy is essential.
Incoming Administration: Appointments
Is APA tracking or monitoring appointments to key planning-related posts in the new administration?
Yes. APA is carefully watching and reporting on nominations to a wide variety of important federal agency positions. While cabinet-level nominees are now known, appointments to essential sub-cabinet positions will continue well into the early months of 2017.
What's the timeline for nominations?
Cabinet nominations were made prior to the inauguration, and the Senate has begun hearings on these nominations. Most cabinet appointees will receive votes in the Senate through mid-February. Nominations, hearings, and votes on sub-cabinet officials usually begin in February, but final action on all positions will take several months.
Is APA involved in the confirmation of key planning officials in the new administration?
Yes. APA works with the relevant Senate committees on issues and ideas related to nominees. Sometimes, this involves crafting formal letters to Senators and other times involves highlighting policy issues or questions that should be posed to nominees. APA also covers and analyzes confirmation hearings with reports provided to its members through a variety of means.
How can APA members stay informed about the appointment of new officials?
There are a number of ways to stay informed. Members who sign up for the Planners Advocacy Network get regular updates. The Advocates Toolbox on the APA website features a helpful appointments tracker that is regularly updated. Information is also regularly provided through APA social media channels, especially on Twitter by following @APAadvocates. Blog posts at planning.org and periodic webinars are also good resources for more in-depth coverage.
Infrastructure
President Trump has touted infrastructure as an important issue early in his administration. How is APA involved in advocacy on a new infrastructure program?
Infrastructure policy and investment has long been a central issue for APA's policy and advocacy program. APA has been carefully monitoring discussion of a potential infrastructure package with the aim of influencing the debate on any measure.
To guide this effort, APA's Legislative and Policy Committee and Board of Directors have adopted a set of "infrastructure principles" to inform Congress and partner organizations about critical planning ideas for any federal infrastructure package. These principles are not intended to cover every aspect of infrastructure planning and policy, but are designed to be a concise summary of the primary planning ideas that APA believes are essential.
What principles is APA promoting for federal infrastructure legislation?
The adopted infrastructure principles focus on a handful of critical ideas: ensuring investment in multiple types of infrastructure; improving local control and regional planning; making smart decisions about location and investing in existing communities; promoting access; expanding equity consideration; advancing technology and innovation; and improving resilience.
How will APA use these adopted infrastructure principles?
APA will make the principles known to officials and staff both on Capitol Hill and in the Trump administration. APA does this through a combination of letters, meetings, and grassroots action. In addition, APA will work with partner organizations and coalitions that share similar values. APA hopes to both shape advocacy platforms and find opportunities to work together to advance its principles.
What is the process for consideration of an infrastructure package?
While much has been said about an infrastructure package, no formal proposal has been put forth yet. The Trump administration is likely to include ideas for congressional consideration in early statements. Congress will have to translate any ideas from the White House into formal legislation, which could take a variety of forms, from an individual bill to a provision in more comprehensive budget or tax legislation. The exact pathway is not yet clear, but may involve tax reform and will certainly involve the key infrastructure committees, such as the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
Federal Budget Action
Is APA monitoring federal budget and spending decisions?
Absolutely. Budgets are an expression of the nation's governing priorities and directly influence planning and development. APA's policy and advocacy team has regularly tracked budget proposals and has been actively engaged in advocacy on appropriations for key planning programs and priorities.
When will we know more about new federal budget and appropriations policies?
The public will get its first detailed spending blueprint from the Trump administration when the initial budget is formally sent to Capitol Hill. An exact date for release of the budget is unknown, but expected in late spring.
Congress will debate a budget resolution and set topline spending levels for all individual departments. The actual funding decisions will be addressed through appropriations bills. Consideration of these bills typically begins in late spring and runs throughout the summer and early fall.
Although Congress has typically missed the deadline, new spending bills are supposed to be signed by the President before the end of the federal fiscal year on September 30. This year, the budget process could be complicated by a variety of factors, including the debt ceiling and tax reform.
Federal Legislation
I am worried about some of the proposals made during the campaign. What is APA doing?
APA always closely watches activity on Capitol Hill and in federal agencies for ideas and proposals that have an impact on planning and the future of the nation's communities. This work is a central part of APA's overall policy and advocacy work, and a key member benefit. APA will be vigilant in monitoring activity, providing information to members, advancing planning policies, and supporting member advocacy on these issues.
Much remains unknown about the specifics of ideas discussed during the campaign. APA's pledge to members is that we will be your eyes and ears in Washington, and help promote the ideas and values of good planning.
Does APA take positions on federal legislation or regulations related to planning?
Yes. APA has always aimed to shape federal policy and legislation. This work ranges from promoting ideas of policy development to active advocacy on specific proposals.
How does APA determine its policy positions?
Authority for APA's policy positions rests with its Board of Directors. The Board's work is supported by the Legislative and Policy Committee. APA's positions are grounded in adopted policy guides and articulated through legislative priorities.
The committee recommends policy guides and legislative priorities while providing oversight of policy activities. This work is directly driven by member involvement. This member engagement takes a variety of forms, but it is most clearly represented in the development of policy guides and annual legislative priorities.
What are APA's federal priorities for 2017?
The legislative priorities for 2017 touch on a variety of critical issues. Given the importance of clearly communicating APA's positions as a new Congress convenes, the priorities are organized into three themes:
- investing in the nation's critical infrastructure
- advancing policies that promote social equity, inclusive communities, and expanded access to economic and social opportunities for all
- providing high-quality federal data that supports effective local planning and decision making
How are APA's policy guides adopted?
The drafting of APA policy guides is a democratic process. The Legislative and Policy Committee identifies topics and recruits volunteers with issue expertise to draft a guide. The draft is shaped by discussion at policy forums conducted at APA's conferences. This is supplemented by input from member review groups. An updated draft is then submitted for comment by all APA members and debated by a Chapter Delegate Assembly composed of proportional representation of chapters. The Assembly approves a guide, which is then submitted to the Board of Directors for ratification.
Are there any new policy guides under development?
Yes. There are three policy guides currently in development: a new guide on planning and health, a new guide on social equity and inclusive growth, and a revision to the housing policy guide.
Grassroots Advocacy
How can I get involved in advancing pro-planning policies and legislation?
The most important thing APA members can do is join the APA Planners Advocacy Network. This grassroots network is the foundation of APA's policy and advocacy work. Network members have access to special information and resources, and enhanced opportunities to comment on, shape, and advance policy positions.
APA also conducts an annual Policy and Advocacy Conference that includes Planners' Day on Capitol Hill, as well as special opportunities for local advocacy events throughout the year.
How can I become engaged in shaping APA policies and priorities?
Participating in ongoing policy guide development offers the chance to directly influence the policies championed by APA. Members can volunteer to help draft guides, or choose to review drafts and provide comments. Similar opportunities exist to suggest and comment on proposed legislative priorities.
Members can also volunteer for policy and advocacy leadership, including state grassroots chairs, congressional district captains, policy review groups, and the Legislative and Policy Committee.
Does APA provide training and other resources to help me be an advocate for planning?
Yes. Members of the Planners Advocacy Network have access to the Advocate's Toolbox, a collection of tools and best practices for working with elected officials and taking action at the grassroots level.
Members also have access to the Planners' Communications Guide, an online guide to help planners develop and deliver positive messages to key audiences. The guide includes on-demand training modules.