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: State of the union’s infrastructure
Obama for more infrastructure, clean energy; Cantor wants infrastructure but not to pay for it; Who doesn’t the GOP care about transit?; Smith to students: Don’t participate in our democracy; Many DCPS teachers turn down bonuses; Sarles brings stability, but…; Silver Line costs on the rise; More subways, not that kind; NoMa Summer Screen with trains!; And…. Keep reading…
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3rd birthday party tonight, chat with Sekou Biddle and at-large candidate forum tomorrow
Come on down to RFD tonight for our third birthday party! We’ll be there from 6:30-9:30. The entrance is on 8th Street, NW between H and I, near Gallery Place Metro, lots of buses, and a Capital Bikeshare station. Keep reading…
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On-campus housing not the answer for Georgetown
In “GU takes student ghetto approach to housing undergrads,” Ken Archer argues that Georgetown University has created a “student ghetto” by failing to guarantee undergraduates four years of on-campus housing. In response, he suggests four locations where the University should build “multi-use” facilities behind the gates. However,… Keep reading…
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Virginia Republican pursuing vendetta against Arlington for not wanting to be a “giant interchange”
DC isn’t the only place in the area where a Republican legislative majority in a large, mostly exurban and rural geographic area is threatening serious budget blows against a small, Democratic-leaning, urban jurisdiction. In the Virginia legislature, at least one influential House Republican is looking to take a big bite out of Arlington County’s revenues as… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Spotlight on roads
PG residents want brighter roads; SHA trying darker roads; Bad bills and bad Senators who support them; Money’s for roads, but he wants control of Metro; Maryland needs new crosswalk strategy; Gray, Brown ride $2,000/month SUVs; Talking transit, taxes and election tactics; National Harbor to add gas station; And…. Keep reading…
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Map shows most popular Capital Bikeshare trips
Arlington’s CommuterPageBlog has an awesome map showing Capital Bikeshare usage. The darker the line, the more trips are made between the two stations that line connects. Keep reading…
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Let’s talk Sarles
I’ll be on TBD’s NewsTalk with Bruce DePuyt starting at 10 to discuss the news that the WMATA Board has decided to keep Richard Sarles on as GM/CEO. Jim Dinegar from the Greater Washington Board of Trade, and Post reporter Ann Scott Tyson, are also participating. You can watch the segment live here. Keep reading…
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Metro trying new technology, communication with parking
Parking operations have always been a relatively staid and unexciting part of Metro’s operations, but suddenly it’s rife with innovation and some of the best communication with riders anywhere in the organization. Metro is piloting a secure bike room in the College Park garage, and asked riders for input on how and whether to charge for access. Another pilot will… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Taking charge
Sarles officially announced as GM, CEO; Can PG focus on Metro stations?; Watergate residents don’t want trees; ANC opposes bike lane, says bikes complicate driving; Missed opportunities in Fairfax City?; More people shouldn’t mean more highways; Green house, not so green location; Take transit or bikeshare to visit Miami Beach’s new parking garage; And…. Keep reading…
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Truxton Circle school and youth housing in doubt
A proposal from two local nonprofits to turn a vacant school building in the Truxton Circle neighborhood into a unique charter school could die unless the DC Council votes on Feb. 1 to approve the building’s disposition. One unique aspect to the project is that it will include 20 housing units for selected at-risk young people. The plan has raised ire from neighbors… Keep reading…