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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Breakfast links: Breaking the bank
Virginia roads bill passes House; Where do people go late at night?; UMD to keep Campus Drive open to cars; DC wants ownership of Southwest channel; DCA could get more long-haul flights; VRE breaks ridership record; DC relies heavily on property taxes; It’s Mike Barnes; And…. Keep reading…
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Arlington PD follows up personally with cyclist
Arlington police have personally visited the cyclist who couldn’t get them to take a report after a recent bicycle crash. They’ve also promised a follow-up from the supervisor for the shift when the crash took place. Mark Blacknell wrote in an email: The head of the reporting unit (Captain Afzal) pushed it down the line and it ended up with a visit to the cyclist… Keep reading…
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GGW discusses: Displacement versus gentrification
Yesterday, Erik Weber, David Garber, and Eric Fidler reacted to the NPR story about two people who chose not to live in Anacostia. In our discussion, other contributors had some broader thoughts about displacement, gentrification, and the difference between the two. Alex Baca writes: There is no stable definition of gentrification. Ask anyone—your neighbor,… Keep reading…
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Live chat with Vincent Orange
Vincent Orange, former Ward 5 Councilmember and candidate for the at-large seat in the April special election, joins us today for a live chat. #cil_page .mainchat { position: relative; overflow: auto; } Live chat with Vincent Orange(02/17/2011) Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: On the streets of Arlington
Cyclist doored, police don’t take report; Arlington rejects design by fire truck; Is Rosslyn evolving?; Klein defends DDOT; Businesses fight late-night cuts; Various guards don’t know you can photograph buildings; Coucil may raid solar rebates; News without wires; And…. Keep reading…
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GGW discusses: Displacement and NPR in Anacostia
An NPR Morning Edition story yesterday, entitled “DC, long ‘Chocolate City,’ becoming more vanilla,” discussed demographic shifts increasing the proportion of white residents of DC and profiled two people who recently moved out of Historic Anacostia. The two are Robert Adams, who is black, and David Garber, who is white. The story quickly touched… Keep reading…
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Ped/bike safety enforcement stories, part 4: Bad tickets
At the recent pedestrian and bicycle safety enforcement hearing, several people related stories about police misapplying laws and writing erroneous tickets after a crash. Coupled with DC’s “contributory negligence” law, that can leave a victim unable to get their medical bills paid. Each of the four witnesses below was riding a bicycle and was hit by a… Keep reading…
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Where’s Bob? McDonnell MIA on Metro funding
Congressional Republicans are trying to take away the federal contribution to fixing Metro’s safety problems. While he’s clamoring for a seat on the WMATA Board, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is staying silent slow to speak up equivocating on this crucial need, as is Republican Rep. Frank Wolf. Soon, the Senate Finance Committee will consider HB2000, which… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Welcome changes?
The changing face of Montgomery suburbs; Can L’Enfant Plaza become an “ecodistrict”?; Cabbies like the thought of late-night cuts; Attempt to restore Metro funding fails; Montgomery council lists transportation priorities; Wolf, Latham want Silver Line audit; Connaugton on Virginia transportation issues; CaBi coming to Rosslyn in March; And…. Keep reading…
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Allow unfolded umbrella strollers on Metrobus
You can bring about anything onto a MetroBus — multiple large luggage, folding shopping carts, oversized packages — as long as it’s not an unfolded stroller. Metrobus should either ban all items that can’t rest on your lap, or to allow the smallest of strollers to board: unfolded umbrella strollers. DC’s Circulator adopted a stroller… Keep reading…