Angie Schmitt
Recent Posts
Nashville Police Call Driver Who Struck Protesters a “Victim”
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A 68-year-old man who ran his car through a group of protesters in Nashville not only won't be charged, but is being treated by local law enforcement as though he were the victim of a crime. And to make matters worse, a state legislator wants to codify legal immunity for drivers who strike protesters.
Reversing Sun Belt Growth Model, Memphis Looks to Shrink Its Footprint
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Like many Sun Belt cities, Memphis owes its population growth over the last several decades to outward expansion. Since 1998 alone, the city has overseen 15 annexations, occupying a larger footprint than Chicago. But now the city believes that some of its farthest flung territory is more liability than asset.
Downtown Seattle Added 45,000 Jobs and Hardly Any Car Commuters
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Transforming from a car city to a transit city is no easy task. Just ask Denver and Los Angeles, which have spent billions to build rail systems but struggled to reduce solo car commuting rates. But Seattle shows it can be done: The share of downtown commuters who drive alone dropped from 35 percent in 2010 to 30 percent last year.
It’s Not Just Trump: House GOP Members Ramp Up Road-Building Campaign
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Watch out: The leader of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is making a push for an infrastructure spending spree, even though the current federal transportation funding law doesn't expire for several years. Advocates will have to guard against a new road-building binge.
How Racial Discrimination Shaped Atlanta’s Transportation Mess
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Racist fears hobbled transit in Atlanta two generations ago. Is the region finally learning from its mistakes?
Don’t Push Bus Riders to the Margins
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Mayors frequently face pressure from business interests to remove bus riders from downtown areas. But that's a big mistake, says transit consultant Jarrett Walker.
Trump’s Bid to Insert Immigration Status Into Census Is an Attack on Cities
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Adding a question about immigration status to the Census would lead to undercounting and affect everyone who lives in urban areas, decreasing their access to federal resources.
Tampa Advocates Are Fighting Like Hell Against a $6 Billion Highway Plan
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Grassroots advocates in Tampa are going up against Florida DOT in a highway expansion standoff with huge implications for the future of the city.
If Trump Wants to “Fix It First,” a Big Spending Spree Isn’t the Way to Go
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It's hard to pin Donald Trump down on policy issues. But let's take one of his recent infrastructure pronouncements literally and see where the implications lead.
Maryland Robbed Transit to Pay for Highways, So U.S. DOT Launched a Civil Rights Probe
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On the last day of the Obama presidency, U.S. DOT announced it will investigate whether Maryland Governor Larry Hogan's unilateral decision to cancel the Baltimore Red Line light rail project violates federal civil rights law. U.S. DOT will also look into whether the state's overall transportation spending discriminates against people of color.
Keep an Eye on These 10 Cities Aiming for Big Increases in Cycling
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The national advocacy organization People for Bikes has selected 10 American cities to participate in "The Big Jump" -- a program that seeks to double or triple cycling rates in specific neighborhoods. The goal is to demonstrate how smart policy can lead to big changes in a short amount of time.
Can America’s Most Dangerous Place to Walk Change Its Streets?
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The most dangerous metro area in America for walking is Fort Myers, Florida. The area has a committed group of reformers who've been making some strides, but a recent report shows more must be done.