Articles by The Planning Report

In this TPR interview, Hilary Norton, newly appointed chair of the California Transportation Commission, reflects on the ‘phenomenal sea change’ driving state investments in transportation infrastructure and in advance of the 2020 national election. Citing Governor Newsom’s “all of the above” approach, Norton shares her priorities for the CTC and enthusiasm for creative projects that maximize benefits—and generate revenues—to support a more active and equitable vision for transportation in Calif...

Last week TPR shared a new report from Embarcadero Institute disputing the accuracy of the state's methodology for calculating local housing needs. With the state moving to hold local governments accountable for meeting housing production goals and the report finding a 900,000 unit discrepancy, offered here is Embarcadero Institute's response to criticism received regarding the report's conclusions. Report author, Gab Layton, has a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering and currently serves on the advis...

Working groups from both houses of the California Legislature last month proposed a $100 billion joint stimulus plan to put the state on a path toward an equitable and resilient economic recovery by raising revenues without raising taxes by authorizing the state Treasurer to generate revenues by issuing vouchers for future taxes. As the 2020 legislative session comes to a close, TPR shares the working group’s announcement and outline of the plan, which proponents assert will protect Californians...

As the state of California grapples with record-breaking heat, wildfire, pandemic, and a $54 billion budget deficit, TPR spoke with California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Jared Blumenfeld to discuss how his agency’s priorities have been impacted by the overlapping crises and continued federal antagonism to climate action. Secretary Blumenfeld reiterates Governor Newsom's commitment to ensuring safe and affordable rural drinking water supplies and opportunities to propel the state’s...

Prior to Governor Newsom’s announcement of state assistance for California’s immigrant and undocumented workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, TPR spoke with San Diego City Council President, Georgette Gomez, on the critical value of providing accessible and factual information and resources to the city’s diverse constituents during this unprecedented public health crisis. President Gomez stresses how the pandemic is magnifying systemic inequalities—including income, language, and  digital b...

After 18 months of negotiations, this week, the City of San Diego finalized the sale of the Mission Valley Stadium to San Diego State University West for mixed-use redevelopment. TPR caught up with San Diego City Councilmember and candidate for mayor, Barbara Bry, to discuss her Roadmap to Recovery plan, as well as her priorities for housing, density, and economic development post-COVID. As a seasoned entrepreneur with experience in the local innovation industries, Bry highlights her strategy to...