Public Policy
The many local governments in the Washington region take actions every day that affect our downtowns and neighborhoods and the quality of life in our cities and counties. Greater Greater Washington writes about the public policies that influence our region and how they promote (or prevent) a growing, inclusive region with walkable urban neighborhoods.
Many different types of public policy influence where and how people live, work, and play. Education, which is one of the biggest reasons people choose a place,can help ensure the success of the next generation. And the environment is vital to preserving a livable region for our descendants.
Public safety and social justice issues affect how people of different backgrounds interact in our public places and whether people feel welcome. Health, food, and jobs are all vital parts of making our region thrive. And our governments make many budgetary and fiscal decisions that shape all of this.
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The Chevy Chase DC historic district application fails on the merits
A group in Chevy Chase DC is applying for historic preservation status (again), which would require meeting a series of specific criteria to be approved. Like every place, Chevy Chase DC has history. But it doesn’t clear the bar laid out by the law. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: DC leaders release more information on downtown transformation plan
DC mayor announces summary recommendations for revitalizing downtown. Virginia has seen 11 pedestrian deaths in the last 15 days. Gaithersburg rated most diverse city in the US. Keep reading…
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Bikeshare Beat: Capital Bikeshare plows through the snow in January
Cyclists surged through wide temperature swings in January. What’s the path to 5 million rides? Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Langenkamp bill increasing bike lane penalties advances in Maryland General Assembly
New Maryland bill would increase penalties for hitting cyclists. Strike shuts down Fairfax Connector service. Wharf office building leasing leading the area in office leases. Keep reading…
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Time zone: How documents from the 1930s shed light on DC’s land use today
The National Capital Planning Commission began its 100-year celebrations with a review of some of the many documents in its new digital library. GGWash’s DC Policy Director, Alex Baca, presented. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Mailing issue could cost Maryland hundreds of millions in lost tax revenue
Failure to mail 107,000 updated property tax assessments may cost Maryland hundreds of millions. Alto suspends DC operations, scraps electric fleet plans. After primary election pilot, Arlington considers ranked-choice voting for November general election. Keep reading…
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Would Baltimore be better off with a regional transit authority?
Despite being Maryland’s largest locally operated transit system, the MTA hasn’t delivered a single new rail project since the 1990s. The system hasn’t expanded using more affordable modes like bus rapid transit, either. A grassroots activist coalition is proposing that a new transit authority could be more responsive to the region’s transit needs. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Region’s home prices up 40% over last decade
Washington region home prices are up 40% over last decade. 20-story apartment building proposed atop Silver Spring mall. GMU study finds residential development at Potomac Yard could be affordable to people earning 80-90% AMI. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: WMATA, arena funding both missing from Virginia Senate budget
Potomac Yard stadium and WMATA funding both left out of Virginia Senate spending blueprint. Neighbors organize around proposed rezoning of U Street NW property. Pepco will mail out trees to homes to help cut energy costs. Keep reading…
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How will WMATA avoid crisis and cover costs for the next couple years?
As Metro inches toward a fiscal cliff that would force it to cut services dramatically, we unpack where the major players stand on filling the short-term funding gap. Keep reading…