Planners’ Day on Capitol Hill Opening Session
Course Details
This session features remarks from three members of Congress, APA President Angela Brooks, FAICP, and a panel of national experts with deep insights into the politics behind housing reform in Congress, the states, and beyond.
US Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE), and Rep. Emanual Clever (D-MO) join the discussion to offer their thoughts on the recent passage and introduction of APA-endorsed housing reform bills, including the Yes in My Backyard Act and Reducing Regulatory Barriers to Housing Act, and spotlight the policy impacts of federal legislation encouraging zoning reform. Hear these leaders’ insider perspectives on the legislative process, the opportunity for doing more on housing in Congress ahead of the election, and the advocacy role planners can play now—and in the next Congress—to build bipartisan support and investment in housing planning and reform.
National Association of Realtors Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn and Up for Growth Chief Executive Officer Mike Kingsella join APA’s panel of experts to weigh in on the road ahead on zoning reform in Congress, what their organizations are doing in partnership with APA and others to encourage federal bipartisan action, and steps that planners can take right now to urge an all-of-government approach on housing. Participants will gain insight into how planners can contribute to ongoing reforms, participate in federal engagement and advocacy efforts, and support national legislative initiatives to tackle the multifaceted issue of zoning reform.
Learning Outcomes
- Communicate more effectively with federal legislators
- Understand the political and policy trends driving national change in planning policy
- Grasp the legislative process and the impact of planners on federal advocacy