Posts about PoliticsRSS
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DC’s considering public campaign financing. Here’s what it means for local politics.
The District of Columbia Council is likely to pass a new bill that will create a public campaign financing program and decrease the influence of major donors. If passed, DC would join the growing number of local and state jurisdictions looking to rein in the influence of money in politics. Keep reading…
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After requiring paid family leave for workers, DC could take it away
Last December, the DC Council passed a bill that gives new parents eight weeks of paid time off. Now, some members of the council are working to repeal and replace the bill before it goes into effect. It must be enacted as it was passed—tens of thousands of DC workers and their families are counting on it. Keep reading…
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Whom are you supporting for Virginia governor?
Virginia will be voting for nominees for governor on June 13. Two Democrats and three Republicans are running in their respective primaries. Do you have opinions about the candidates? Any knowledge to share about their views on some of the issues we discuss most on GGWash? Keep reading…
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For Arlington County Board: Erik Gutshall
Four candidates are seeking the Democratic nomination for the Arlington County Board to succeed Jay Fisette, who is retiring this year. We encourage Arlington Democrats to nominate Erik Gutshall at the "firehouse primary" in early May. Keep reading…
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Make DC part of Maryland? Most GGWash contributors don’t like the idea.
Social media and local blogs exploded last week when Utah Representative Jason Chaffetz said he was "exploring" returning a portion of DC to the state of Maryland. Some GGWash contributors like the idea of more consolidated regional planning as well as real congressional representation for the District, but others aren't so into the thought of setting aside the dream of home rule in order to become a Maryland municipality. Keep reading…
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These DC Councilmembers want faster bus service on 14th Street. Does yours?
Four years ago, WMATA came up with an idea to add faster bus service to 14th Street NW in DC. It didn’t work at the time, but the idea is back, and this time riders and neighbors are working to make sure it happens. Five DC Councilmembers have recently promised promised to fight for the necessary funding Keep reading…
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Ben Carson may change who gets housing assistance, but whether it disappears altogether is up to Trump and Congress
As Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Ben Carson may move to make it so anyone receiving rental assistance must prove they’ve been working a certain number of hours per week. In DC, that would change who actually gets housing vouchers, but it wouldn’t make housing vouchers go away. Actual spending cuts are what would do that. Keep reading…
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Trump says DC’s murders are way up. That’s false.
According to the Trump White House, murder is up 50% in DC. That was true for 2015, but the District’s murder rate has been more or less flat since 2010, and it’s way down from where it was in the 90s and early 2000s. Keep reading…
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This momentous weekend launched a new reality. The city, and our battles, are different now
Donald Trump is America's president. The largest protest in American history greeted his first day. Welcome to the colossal challenges of Washington and the USA in 2017. Keep reading…
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What has inauguration week felt like for you?
Donald J. Trump was sworn in as president of the United States at noon on Friday, and on Saturday, hundreds of thousands are expected to march through DC in support of gender and racial justice. In terms of operations, this inauguration hasn't been much different from any other. But the experience for DC residents has been anything but normal. We asked our contributors what they're seeing and feeling this week. Keep reading…
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After Bill O’Reilly got his DC facts wrong, Muriel Bowser set him straight
DC mayor Muriel Bowser is creating a legal defense fund for immigrants who may be targeted for deportation during the Trump administration. Bill O'Reilly and a guest recently railed against the plan, saying a number of untrue things in the process. Bowser's office put out this video setting the record straight. Keep reading…
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To the next HUD secretary: America can’t be great if we abandon fair housing
For many people, the American Dream means having an affordable place to live, in a safe community with good schools and access to decent jobs. Keep reading…
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Need to explain a complicated new bridge project (and its politics)? Try using Legos.
Transportation projects tend to get complex. Add the interplay between engineers and elected officials and it can be nearly impossible for the public to have any clue what's actually going on. Florida's Tampa Bay Times recently tackled this problem with a brilliant use of... Legos. Keep reading…
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Trump’s effect on affordable housing goes way beyond Ben Carson
Starting in January, Ben Carson will be the new secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the department that oversees and implements federal housing and urban policy. I asked GGWash contributors and local housing leaders to take stock of what that means for affordable housing options in the region, and it turns out Carson’s reach is unlikely to go that far. The Trump administration’s tax plan, however, is already doing damage without him even stepping foot in the White House. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Nothing new in Alexandria
No new single-family detached homes; MoCo needs lots more rentals; Bowser meeting with Trump today; Can you hear me (in Metro) now?; Questionable bike ticketing; Arlington will likely make car2go official; Facebook giveth; Is safe, affordable housing for artists possible?. Keep reading…
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A business group suggests Congress impose changes to Metro. Is that a good idea?
Congress should make WMATA unconstitutional, says a local business organization, unless DC, Maryland, and Virginia make changes to the agency. These could include smaller board of only transit experts instead of elected leaders, no arbitration for labor contracts, and a dedicated funding source. Keep reading…
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Weekend links: Montreal’s attempt to slow growth
Montreal’s city council is limiting the number of new restaurants in one neighborhood in hopes that the move will slow rising prices. The buildings we live and work in shape how we think, and designers are hoping that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Some argue that our urban policies of the last two decades drove down city voter turnout earlier this month. Read about this, and more, from… Keep reading…
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What will DC look like under Trump? One of our contributors takes his best guess.
Before last week’s historic and unprecedented election, DC was preparing for a more autonomous and possible independent future. With Donald Trump as president, it may be in for just the opposite. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Onward, Bikeshare!
Bikeshare’s growing popularity; Paratransit problems; Bus cuts bite hard; Helping Mosaic move; NVTC’s cautious approval; Big changes in MoCo; Hogan hopeful on FBI; Shine on, 495. Keep reading…
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Here’s who won the ANC races near you
If you are a DC voter, you (hopefully) voted for an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner on Tuesday night to represent your neighborhood. Maybe you even used our endorsements as a guide! Here are the results of the 50 ANC races where Greater Greater Washington endorsed a candidate. Keep reading…
