NY takes on Trump in battle over congestion pricing

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy terminated approval of New York's program for tolling vehicles that enter Manhattan's central business district. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul vowed to fight.

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 20, 2025

FEMA halts enforcement of flood rebuild rule, New York Times reports

By not requiring buildings at risk of repeated flooding to be elevated or moved, the government isn’t saving money, critics say.

By Robert Freedman • Feb. 19, 2025

Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro sues Trump administration, citing frozen IRA funding

The state’s agencies have limited access to over $3.1 billion in funding for activities including distributed solar deployment, well plugging and weatherization, according to the lawsuit.

By Diana DiGangi • Feb. 18, 2025

Roadway safety requires traffic enforcement, infrastructure investments: House hearing

Safety advocates and local government officials joined members of Congress in calling for action to reduce traffic deaths in a House subcommittee hearing.

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 18, 2025

DOT rescinds approval of New York congestion pricing plan

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the plan "a slap in the face to working class Americans and small business owners."

By Dan Zukowski • Updated Feb. 19, 2025

Scott Turner confirmed as HUD secretary

Turner helped establish opportunity zones, an economic development tool, when he served in the first Trump administration.

By Leslie Shaver • Feb. 5, 2025

On housing, mayors see path forward with Trump

“Housing should not be a partisan issue,” one mayor said during a National League of Cities housing summit. But the president’s immigration policies are a concern.

By Danielle McLean • Feb. 5, 2025

San Francisco illegally fired workers seeking COVID vaccine religious exemption, 9th Circuit says

The record didn’t show that the City and County of San Francisco “seriously considered any religious accommodation,” according to the court.

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 5, 2025

The Smart Cities Outlook for 2025: Change is coming

From new federal policies to growing technologies like AI and robotaxis, cities will encounter many changes while they continue to tackle housing, homelessness, climate and equity issues.

By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Jan. 31, 2025

Zeldin is confirmed as the new EPA administrator. What’s next?

The former New York representative will helm the agency as it navigates executive orders pausing climate programs and reviews pending regulations that could affect the waste and recycling industries.

By Megan Quinn , Jacob Wallace • Updated Jan. 30, 2025

State lawmaker seeks ban in new shot at algorithmic pricing

Landlords’ use of automated rent-setting software is “plainly illegal,” Sen. Jess Salomon in Washington state says.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 28, 2025

Less grind, better results: AI makes government work better

Stanford’s Hoover Institution surveyed over 1,000 government employees and uncovered some eye-opening trends. Discover the surprising truth about AI in local government.

Jan. 27, 2025

What Trump’s infrastructure funding pause means for cities

A judge in the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration Monday to "immediately restore withheld funds." The White House has appealed the order.

By Dan Zukowski • Updated Feb. 13, 2025

Trump nominates Steven Bradbury for deputy transportation secretary

Bradbury served in the first Trump administration. He may face Democratic opposition for his views on EVs and greenhouse gas emission rules.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 23, 2025

Trump freezes IRA funding

Trump also revoked what he calls the Biden administration's “EV mandate” and pulled out of the Paris climate agreement as part of several energy-related actions.

By Kate Magill • Jan. 22, 2025

Schools, hospitals, churches no longer protected from immigration raids

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security lifted the practice of avoiding immigration enforcement at locations previously designated "protected areas" by the Biden administration.

By Kara Arundel • Updated Jan. 23, 2025

Biden urges mayors to continue the climate change fight

Then-President Biden and then-Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg spoke at a U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting Jan. 17.

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 21, 2025

5 ways builders say Trump can support construction

The Associated General Contractors of America itemized priorities for the new administration that will help bolster building activity.

By Sebastian Obando • Jan. 21, 2025

Surface transportation reauthorization a top priority for House T&I committee

Separately, President Donald Trump put a freeze on new federal regulations and also ordered a halt to federal funding of electric vehicle charging stations.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 21, 2025

States ramp up efforts to cut their grocery taxes

Kansas just eliminated its tax on food ingredients, while at least four other states are working to cut or reduce theirs.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Jan. 17, 2025

We need another infrastructure law

Carlo Scissura has a message for Congress and President-elect Trump: Building a stronger country can’t stop now.

By Carlo Scissura • Jan. 16, 2025

Transportation Secretary Duffy: ‘We will usher in a golden age of travel.’

President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Transportation Department was confirmed by the Senate Jan. 28. His first act was to start reversing Biden administration increases to federal fuel economy standards.

By Dan Zukowski • Updated Jan. 29, 2025

NY mandates contractor registration for publicly funded projects

Consultant Kathleen Bloss talks about the type of work the law covers and steps that firms must take to comply.

By Sebastian Obando • Jan. 13, 2025

Free incubator and accelerator empowers smart city growth

Smart Futures Lab empowers tech startups: $4.5M raised, 6 patents, 22 jobs—join the next cohort today!

Jan. 13, 2025

California leaders ask for more federal transportation money before Trump takes over

The California Latino Legislative Caucus and a Democratic senator from the state argue for immediate and continued funding of public transit and high-speed rail.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 8, 2025