Zoning block: Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed a bill Tuesday that would have prohibited local governments from passing zoning ordinances requiring builders to include low-income housing in some residential developments, The Associated Press reports. Edwards says so-called “inclusionary zoning” ordinances have been used around the country to increase affordable housing and the bill could jeopardize federal funding for affordable housing programs. Backers of the bill included the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans, who testified that mandating affordable housing could driving away developers. Read the full story.
Mitigation meetings: On Tuesday, Gov. John Bel Edwards issued an executive order establishing the Louisiana Watershed–Based Floodplain Management Coordination, according to a news release. Through the order state agencies will partner with local governments, federal agencies, institutions of higher education and private and not-for-profit organizations to develop and implement a statewide floodplain management program to mitigate future risks associated with frequent flooding and severe weather events that have impacted the state. Read the full release.
Long haul: The longest commercial flight will be back in service this fall. The nearly 19 hour-long-trip from Newark to Singapore by Singapore Airlines will start running in October for the first time since 2013, and will use specially designed Airbus planes, The New York Times reports. The nonstop flight is meant to appeal to business travelers, which is why Newark airport was chosen as the New York gateway. The flight cuts travel time between the two destinations by three or four hours. Read the full story.
