The bill would tie transit funding to business subsidies as part of a broader economic development program.

A proposed bill in the Michigan state legislature would create a $2 billion transit funding program aimed at building new bus rapid transit (BRT) and commuter rail over the next decade.
As Brian Allnutt explains in Bridge Detroit, the bill, part of an initiative dubbed Make it in Michigan, would tie transit funding to other economic development programs that some critics say attract low-paying jobs to the state through tax incentives. “The legislation would extend incentives for businesses due to expire next year by another decade, providing $2.5 billion for companies investing in the state.”
For Megan Owens, executive director of the nonprofit Transportation Riders United, tying transit to business subsidies is a “necessary evil” to improve the state’s transit options. “The new legislation sets aside money for investments in transit, housing and community projects such as childcare. Michigan transit and mobility projects would receive $200 million a year, while housing and community projects would receive $100 million and $50 million, respectively.”
FULL STORY: Legislation could bring $1B in transit funding to metro Detroit over next decade

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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