Posts by Alex Baca — DC Policy Director
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Here’s our questionnaire for candidates in the 2020 DC Council Democratic primaries
Recently, GGWash’s elections committee circulated questionnaires to candidates on the ballot for the June 2 Democratic primary. That includes races in Ward 4, Ward 7, and Ward 8, and the at-large seat currently held by Councilmember Robert White. Keep reading…
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No one benefits from laws that restrict middle housing
On Wednesday, Delegate Vaughn M. Stewart (D-Montgomery County) is set to introduce the Modest Home Choices Act of 2020 before the Maryland House of Delegates. I came to Annapolis to lend my voice in support of this bill. Here’s what I had to say. Keep reading…
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We support DC’s goal of 36,000 units and furthering fair housing
The DC Council holds performance oversight hearings yearly. Organizations and members of the public have the opportunity to testify in front of the council committees responsible for overseeing the work of the city’s administrative departments. The Committee of the Whole, held the oversight hearing for DC’s Office of Planning on February 25, 2020. Here’s my testimony. Keep reading…
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Meet the Ward 4 Democratic primary candidates for DC Council
Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd, who won by only 10 points in 2016, is likely the most vulnerable incumbent seeking office in the June 2 primary. He faces three other contenders for the seat: Janeese Lewis George, ANC commissioner Renee Bowser, and former Democratic Committeewoman Marlena D. Edwards. Keep reading…
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Here are the at-large Democratic primary candidates for DC Council
This week, as part of GGWash’s endorsements for the 2020 DC Council elections, we’re introducing candidates in the June 2 Democratic primary. At-Large Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr. is campaigning to keep his seat against two new, unknown challengers, Nathan Brown and Tyrone Carmichael. Keep reading…
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What if DC were all single-family houses?
American urbanists are starting to realize there’s a problem with single-family-exclusive zoning. But is it a problem in DC? For a thought experiment, let’s turn it around: what if all residential land in the District allowed nothing but single-family homes? Keep reading…
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We’re joining DC’s Reclaim Rent Control coalition. Here’s why.
DC will soon renew its rent stabilization policy, which limits the amount rent can increase in older apartment buildings of a certain size. Last year, in anticipation of this, a coalition called the Reclaim Rent Control was formed to push for a more expansive policy. Keep reading…
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Virginia won’t legalize duplexes statewide this year, but the urgency remains
A committee of the Virginia legislature held a hearing Thursday about three bills from Delegate Ibraheem Samirah (D-Fairfax): HB 150, 151, and 152. I testified for 151 and 152, which would have legalized across the state accessory apartments and duplexes, respectively. The committee tabled both bills, which means they won’t pass this year but can be reworked and heard again during next year’s legislative session. Keep reading…
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DC’s Comp Plan comes down to a lot of maps. Here’s why this one matters.
The Future Land Use Map—as stated on the map itself—is defined as “part of the Comprehensive Plan of the District of Columbia. Its color-coded categories express public policy on future land uses across the city. Preparation of this map is required by DC Law to ‘represent the land use policies set forth in the proposed Land Use Element,’ using ‘standardized colors for planning review.’” Keep reading…
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Tell DC what you think of its Comp Plan
The DC Office of Planning is making proposed amendments to the District’s 2006 Comprehensive Plan, a robust document which is basically a long term road map for how we interact with the city, from housing to transportation, and land use. You, as residents of the District, now have until Friday, Jan.10, to provide public comment. Keep reading…