The Reconnecting Communities Program Isn’t Undoing Highway Expansions—It’s Decorating Them

For some, the Reconnecting Communities Program symbolizes an auspicious reversal of values that have characterized the past 70 years of transportation planning. For others, it's business as usual.

End Highway Expansion, Federal Government, Top StoryAsia MieleszkoMarch 23, 2023End Highway Expansion, Louisiana, Oregon, highways, freeway widening, federal funding, federal government, USDOT, DOT, transportation spending

Don’t Pause the Gas Tax, Redirect It

Congressman Jake Auchincloss: "We don't need a gas tax holiday. We need a gas tax reset: an overhaul of how we approach transportation funding.”

Champion of People-Centered Streets Brings Strong Towns Approach to Congress

Strong Towns advocates are pushing for safe and productive streets…including in Congress!

Federal Government, Stange, Success Story, Video, Top StoryJay StangeJuly 7, 2022Congress, federal government, politics, Jake Auchincloss, success, success stories

Process Versus Visible Outcomes

The U.S. Department of Transportation would have you think it cares about equity—but budgets are often more telling than rhetoric.

Upzoned, Podcast, Infrastructure, Federal Government, Race, Top StoryStrong TownsApril 27, 2022Podcast, podcast, Upzoned, Infrastructure, infrastructure, federal government, federal funding, race, Race, budget

Disaster Relief for America's Housing Crisis

COVID has enabled us to get some “disaster relief” for the housing crisis. But what about when the pandemic is over?

Upzoned, Podcast, Federal Government, Coronavirus, Housing, Top StoryStrong TownsDecember 15, 2021Podcast, podcast, Upzoned, federal funding, housing, housing crisis, coronavirus

The Infrastructure Bill, Racial Equity, and Local Government: How Should the Money Be Spent?

The $1 trillion infrastructure bill is being signed into law. But who gets to decide how the money will be spent, and will they make the right decisions for communities of color?

The Infrastructure Bill Has Passed. What Now?

We’re skeptical that the bill will address the real and current infrastructure needs in our cities today—but the good news is, you can. And you can get started right now.

#InfrastructureCrisis, Federal Government, Infrastructure, Taking Action, Top StoryStrong TownsNovember 10, 2021Infrastructure, infrastructure bill, infrastructure maintenance, federal government, federal funding, maintenance, Maintenance, how to, taking action

Will We Have an Infrastructure Bill? Who Cares?

We get a lot of questions about a federal infrastructure bill, but at the end of the day…does it really matter?

#InfrastructureCrisis, Federal Government, Marohn, Infrastructure, Top StoryCharles MarohnOctober 4, 2021infrastructure bill, Infrastructure, infrastructure cult, federal government, American Jobs Plan

The Reconnecting Communities Act: What Was Promised Vs. What's Being Delivered

The $20 billion that was supposed to be dedicated to the Reconnecting Communities Act has been cut down to $1 billion. Naturally, people are disappointed.

Upzoned, Podcast, Federal Government, Infrastructure, Top StoryStrong TownsAugust 11, 2021Podcast, Upzoned, American Jobs Plan, infrastructure bill, highways, race, Infrastructure

Our Transportation Budget Is a Fraud We Perpetuate on Ourselves

The Senate has agreed to discuss an infrastructure bill…but what does it matter when real reform isn't going to come from multitrillion-dollar infrastructure proposals?

#InfrastructureCrisis, #NoNewRoads, Federal Government, Infrastructure, Marohn, Public Transit, Transportation, Top StoryCharles MarohnAugust 2, 2021Infrastructure, infrastructure, Infrastructure Week, infrastructure bill, federal government, #NoNewRoads

It's Time to Bring Decision-Making Down to the Local Level

To increase faith in our democracy we must make local decision-making more accessible and meaningful to everyday people.

Federal Government, Local Government, Top StoryAlexander DukesJune 28, 2021local government, state government, federal government, subsidiarity, Decisions

A National Infrastructure Bank is a Stupid Idea

A bill in Congress is pushing for a National Infrastructure Bank, which would mean (in theory) bold federal action to address America's infrastructure crisis. It's a big idea. It's also a really bad one.

#InfrastructureCrisis, Federal Government, Infrastructure, Marohn, Top StoryCharles MarohnJune 14, 2021Infrastructure, infrastructure cult, Infrastructure Bank, infrastructure cost, federal government, top-down, South Carolina

When Do Legal Restrictions on Homes Become "Takings"?

The “Takings Clause” prohibits the government from taking private property without just compensation. But what if it’s interpreted in unexpected ways?

Housing, Local Government, Federal Government, Sanphillippo, Top StoryJohnny SanphillippoMay 4, 2021housing, San Francisco, Law, Homeownership, local regulation

Small Decisions Adding Up: A Case for the American Jobs Plan

Collective engagement repeated thousands of times starts to ripple outward and upward. With the AJP, we see it can even reach the ears of a President.

Federal Government, Infrastructure, Politics, Top StoryMichael McGinnMay 3, 2021American Jobs Plan, infrastructure bill, Mike McGinn

The Federal Government Doesn't Own Infrastructure

The federal government pays the upfront costs for infrastructure, but the responsibility for its maintenance is yours. Forever.

Federal Government, Infrastructure, Local Government, Maintenance, Marohn, Top StoryCharles MarohnApril 19, 2021Infrastructure, federal government, American Jobs Plan, maintenance, infrastructure maintenance

How Local Leaders Should Adapt to the American Jobs Plan

Do no harm: put your people and their needs at the heart of your approach. Here’s how.

Federal Government, Infrastructure, Marohn, Politics, Top StoryCharles MarohnApril 16, 2021American Jobs Plan, American Jobs Plan series, federal government, federal funding, maintenance

The American Jobs Plan Delays Necessary Infrastructure Reform

The top-down approach puts systems ahead of people and politics ahead of place—which is not what we need if we want to actually fix our infrastructure.