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Friday Five: Speed Regulators, Air Taxis, and YIGBY

Published over 1 year ago • 2 min read

Friday Five: Speed Regulators, Air Taxis, and YIGBY

Happy Friday! Here's what we're reading this week:

What We're Reading This Week:

Virginia Becomes First State to Mandate Speed Limiters for Reckless Drivers

Virginia has passed a first-in-the-nation law allowing judges to require speed-limiting devices for drivers caught going over 100 mph. The intelligent speed assistance (ISA) technology caps how fast a car can go using GPS and mapping data. Supporters say it’s a smart, scalable tool to curb repeat dangerous driving and improve road safety—without relying solely on license suspensions that are often ignored. Advocates hope the law will become a model for other states looking to address high-speed reckless driving with real consequences.

Texas Churches Embrace 'Yes in God's Backyard' to Address Housing Crisis

In response to Texas's escalating affordable housing crisis, a growing number of churches are repurposing their land to build housing for low-income residents. This movement, dubbed "Yes in God's Backyard" (YIGBY), seeks to bypass traditional zoning hurdles that often impede such developments. For instance, McKinney First Baptist Church, led by Pastor Louis Rosenthal, transformed its land into a 300-unit affordable housing complex after a six-year rezoning process.Similarly, Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Austin is collaborating with developers to construct 80 affordable units on its property. These initiatives reflect a broader trend of faith-based organizations leveraging their resources to serve community needs amid a statewide housing shortage.​

Archer and United Airlines Plan NYC Air Taxi Network

Archer Aviation, in partnership with United Airlines, has unveiled plans for an electric air taxi network connecting Manhattan to major New York-area airports. Utilizing Archer's Midnight eVTOL aircraft, the service aims to reduce travel times to JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports from up to two hours by car to just 5–15 minutes by air.The Midnight aircraft accommodates four passengers and a pilot, featuring a 100-mile range and speeds up to 150 mph. While the service's launch date is pending, Archer is awaiting FAA type certification for the Midnight, a necessary step before commercial operations can commence.

Milwaukee’s Bublr Bike Share to Double with $4.15M Expansion

Milwaukee’s Bublr Bikes program is set for its largest expansion since launching in 2014, fueled by a $4.15 million investment from federal and local sources. The initiative will add 500 new electric bikes and 800 additional docks across Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, and West Allis—effectively doubling the size of the network. To improve last-mile access, 80% of new stations will be located near Milwaukee County Transit System stops. Installation begins in summer 2025 and is expected to continue through spring 2026, marking a major step toward more connected, sustainable transportation in the region.

Trump Administration Places Homelessness Agency Staff on Leave

In a surprise move, the Trump administration has placed much of the staff at the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness on administrative leave, raising alarms among housing advocates and public officials. The action signals a pivot away from the evidence-backed “housing first” model, which prioritizes providing stable housing before addressing other challenges like addiction or mental health. Critics fear the shake-up could derail proven strategies in favor of more punitive or ideological approaches, just as homelessness remains a major crisis in cities across the country.

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written by Michael Natelli

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