The RPA and its CT connections

The Regional Planning Association has long had ambitions for regional governance.

This week and into next, Hartford’s officials will be focused on Housing (among other concerns). Here’s why you should know about the Regional Planning Association (RPA).

They’ve been around for over 100 years.

They write, “Producing world-class research since 1922, RPA has more than 400 original reports and white papers in its digital library. Our reports have guided policymakers, communities, businesses, and civic organizations in the tri-state region for nearly 100 years.”

They believe municipalities increase costs and can’t govern themselves better than a regional Authority.

RPA believes, “Each municipality is responsible for its own decisions about land use, property taxes, and schools. This increases costs, creates sprawl, and exacerbates inequality.” (emph. added)

Their donors include Connecticut’s Dept of Housing in the $50,000-$100,000 category. https://rpa.org/donors

Their logo:

is eerily similar to the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM):

The RPA uses deceptive language — like other publications — to suggest things are not well, not without their benevolent planning.

“One of the world’s leading metropolitan economies, the region now accounts for approximately 10% of the United States GDP. Too few share in this prosperity, however, and the pandemic only deepened the divide between those with means and those without.”

Note “too few share in this prosperity” — no sources cited. Certainly the Covid crisis deepened divides, but the most serious divide were social, political divides.

Read more about the RPA’s CT connections and THEIR plans for YOUR home, work and transportation here.