We all have biases and we all have reflexive reactions to some statements and situations. That's human. As Strong Towns advocates, let's resist the human impulse to dogma first and think later. We need to keep our minds open to the great ideas that an incremental, chaotic-but-smart approach can reveal.
Read MoreModern economic development practices are the result of some incredibly perverse incentives. As a society, we lament short-term thinking yet, again and again, we demand of our economic development staff: what have you done for me lately?
Read MoreThe Governmental Accounting Standards Board now requires cities to disclose, as part of their financial reporting, the amount of money lost to tax subsidies. This is a significant development.
Read MoreIt might be role of O'Toole, and those who would follow him, to simply serve as a warning for others. That's a useful role in society.
Read MoreCities can experience growth and job creation today quite easily if they are willing to take on a disproportionate amount of long term liabilities. In other words, I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for growth and jobs today.
Read MoreLast Thursday I was part of a debate with Randal O’Toole – the self-identified Antiplanner from the Cato Institute – in Lafayette, Louisiana. I’m going to take the opportunity to reflect a little bit on things from my perspective.
Read MoreMoDOT management gives every indication that they have a serious cultural problem, a deep misunderstanding of their role and responsibilities. This needs to change before they get another dime.
Read MoreFollowing a Curbside Chat earlier this year, Waco, Texas, is taking some difficult and important steps towards getting their financial house in order.
Read MoreI don't yearn for another bubble. I know the pain that will eventually come from that. What I want is a world that is real, one with a solid financial foundation that we can use to build strong cities, towns and neighborhoods.
Read MoreIf someone lives in a place dominated by state/fed money where progress is continually are thwarted by state/federal mandates, it is not hard to imagine where the healthy skepticism of government would originate.
Read MoreWhen the media imposes a narrative on your narrative.
Read MoreVideo from the CNU session on reaching conservatives.
Read MoreIn the lead up to CNU 23 in Dallas next week, the American Conservative asked me to write a feature story on the New Urbanism. This was quite an honor. The piece ran in this week's print publication and is also now available online.
Read MoreFor the Missouri Department of Transportation, it's not "tough choices ahead" -- it's tough choices now. Make them. That's your job.
Read MoreA small town in Minnesota just gave an extended middle finger to one of the state’s most impotent bureaucracies.
Read MoreTonight my local city council is going to make a decision on whether or not the main stroad through town should remain a five-lane wasteland or be reduced to three lanes.
Read MoreWhat is the next smallest thing that can be done to make what people are already doing just a little easier?
Read MoreThe megaproject is the least-dumb idea that consensus provides.
Read MoreWhen it comes to transportation -- specifically automobile transportation -- Texas is one of the most socialist states in the country, taxing and spending at amazing rates with an additional predilection towards borrowing enormous sums of money to build even more government-backed infrastructure.
Read MoreResist the impulse to try and smooth over these massive distortions our development pattern has created. Start seeking a way to find equilibrium on your own terms and in the least destructive way possible.
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