In a lot of ways, these communities are success stories. They are some of the most healthy, stable and vital municipalities in the country. But there are significant warning signs. Poverty is one of those.

These areas (first suburbs) are in a policy blind spot.

Tolling is definitely part of the future of transportation finance. It varies from state to state.

Visioning exercises have certainly taken on a new and important role in recent years.

The first suburbs, with a total of 50 million people, are significant places. They could build a very powerful coalition.

These places are not the same as they were 50 years ago. Municipalities are in constant competition among each other. They really need to work together to push for important reforms.