The National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education at the University of Maryland says in a study today that it can't tell why the state's Smart Growth law isn't having much effect on sprawl because the government hasn't tracked its spending on the infrastructure that fuels development. (The press release and report can be found at the top of the group's website.)

According to the study, Tim Wheeler reports in a story today, "officials through two administrations did a poor job of monitoring whether state funds for building roads, sewers and other public improvements were spent in designated growth areas, as the law intended."

"Smart Growth," a 10-year-old law and a concept that has advocates across the country, refers to building in already established communities. "Sprawl" usually means the opposite -- bringing new homes and other development to more rural areas.