Oregon and Washington have done a better job of protecting rural land from sprawl than they have at encouraging growth inside city limits.

If you want to build a cutting-edge, smart growth development in a designated growth center in Washington, for example, you should expect an arduous process of jumping through bureaucratic hoops. (We posted on this problem here.)

Now, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is quietly moving to clear away some of the similar regulatory brush that slows such projects in the Golden State. Applause! (The Sacramento Beereports.)