Gov. DeSantis signed a transportation law that complicates the process for lane reductions, despite the rising number of pedestrian deaths in the state.

In a move that politicizes road safety, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that both accelerates funding for major transportation projects and complicates the public process for road diet and lane adjustment projects. “This, DeSantis said, was needed to prevent ‘activists’ from promoting congestion on roads to convince people to give up gas-powered cars.”
Florida has the distinction of being the deadliest state for cyclists and ranks third in pedestrian deaths.
As Gray Rohrer explains in Florida Politics, “The bill prevents public transportation agencies from using state funds for marketing or advertising on public vehicles. DeSantis suggested that such funds could be used to push diversity, equity and inclusion or other progressive ideology, but didn’t cite an example of that happening in Florida.”
Another provision bars state funding for airports, seaports, or other transportation agencies that enact Covid-19 mask mandates.
FULL STORY: Gov. DeSantis signs measure to hurry transportation projects, clamp down on ‘activism’ on roads

New Florida Law Curbs HOA Power
The legislation seeks to cut down on ‘absurd’ citations for low-level violations.

New Tennessee Law Allows No-Cost Incentives for Affordable Housing
Local governments in the Volunteer State can now offer developers incentives like increased density, lower parking requirements, and priority permitting for affordable housing projects.

Planners’ Complicity in Excessive Traffic Deaths
Professor Wes Marshall’s provocatively-titled new book, "Killed by a Traffic Engineer," has stimulated fierce debates. Are his criticisms justified? Let’s examine the degree that traffic engineers contribute to avoidable traffic deaths.

Study: Housing Crisis is About Affordability, not Supply
New research shows that there is no overall shortage of housing units, but all U.S. metropolitan areas face a severe lack of affordable units for low-income renters.

Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?
Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas
The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.
City of Madera
City of Santa Clarita
Borough of Carlisle
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Colorado Energy Office
Pima County Community College District
City of Piedmont, CA
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