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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Weekend links: Development starting to roll
Leesburg is form-based; A better place to slug; Vacant building and gas station no more; Montgomery gets big projects, transit-oriented and not; Arlington is the healthiest; Car sharing gone from Wilson Building; Bill Nye, the high-speed rail guy. Keep reading…
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DC needs school choice, not vouchers
The Washington Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP), known informally as the DC school voucher program, was passed by Congress to subsidize private school attendance for low-income students in DC. The goal is to provide opportunities for the low-income students to leave low-performing district schools to attend private schools. The program has passionate supporters… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Pandemonium
A crazy day in the Wilson Building; ANC 7B opposed to visible buildings; Students to get SmarTrip IDs; Alexandria ponders CaBi entry; Bus pickups move; How state DOTs are bad, like Virginia’s; Harriet on Kojo; And…. Keep reading…
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What will VA and MD buy with their borrowing and taxing?
Business leaders in Virginia and Maryland are pushing both states to throw more money at transportation. Yet few of them would invest their own money this way. They would evaluate the underlying causes of a problem, consider a range of alternatives, and adopt the most efficient solutions. Perhaps they forget that our nation is broke and that we need to use our money more wisely. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Taxes get plaudits
Bag tax doesn’t harm DC business; Tax hikes on table in MD; Georgetowners want “sanctions” against students; Gray backs Rhee’s firings; City vehicle leases get scrutiny; Two options for Union Station entrance; Sea level rise worst in Chesapeake; And…. Keep reading…
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Solar Decathlon to be held in West Potomac Park
DOE and DOI announced today that the 2011 Solar Decathlon will be hosted in West Potomac Park. The event will still be held in late September, as previously scheduled. Keep reading…
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McDonnell still refusing to push Congress on Metro funding
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell repeatedly dodged questions yesterday about why he isn’t lobbying his fellow Republicans to save the funds for Metro’s safety repairs. He also showed a surprising ignorance of basic facts like whether WMATA has a permanent General Manager yet, while repeatedly calling for the region to give him power over its decisions. McDonnell… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Tackling crime
Electronic thefts up on Metro; To catch a Metro thief; Bollards not boutiques for Poplar Point?; Cab fares won’t be capped; Wells investigating city vehicles; Howard County proactive on aggressive driving; Maryland considers reckless driving bill; And…. Keep reading…
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Taxes lowest for DC residents and car-free Virginians
Tax debates often involve arguments about how taxes compare in DC, Maryland, or Virginia. A new report from the DC Fiscal Policy Institute found DC’s to be the lowest in most cases. Virginia residents without cars would also pay low levels of tax. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Failures of leadership
Will mayor, council face austerity?; MWAA has board problems, too; Straighter is not safer; ICC opens officially, real opening delayed; Alexandria unsure on new schools; Fairfax considers more mixed-use in Tysons; Where should WeBike?; DC will hurt if fed shuts down; And…. Keep reading…