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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NCPC plans to be more open
The National Capital Planning Commission is working on an Open Government Plan, to “increase transparency, public participation, and collaboration.” You can vote on their various ideas at an interactive site. Ideas include putting online more of the plans that are under review, live streaming meetings, creating an online platform for people to collaboratively suggest… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Keeping up appearances
Were fancy new libraries worth it?; Fake meters go in Shirlington; Councilmember Gabe Klein?; No Ellwood Thompson at DC USA; LaHood listens to ped/bike advocates; Potomac Mills cuts commuter parking; State avenues make up a nation; DC streetcars on the web; And…. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Cycling in the law and the press
Bike bills introduced in Richmond; Bike baiting is really frio; Alternatives to extending Metro; East Falls Church planning enters final stages; DC makes inroads against chronic homelessness; Foggy Bottom station closed over MLK weekend; Nominate “most endangered” historic properties; Streetcars: a renaissance or transportation nostalgia?; Google Transit adds new features; And…. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Solutions for Northern Virginia
DoD to pay for express buses to Mark Center; Reps want Metro extension studies; How to get complete streets in Alexandria?; Alexandria proposes own Metro Board changes; Talking streetcars with Dan Tan; Snow preparation costs money; NYC taxis all disappear at the same time; Barclay Bikes not so great?; And…. Keep reading…
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What will we fund if Maryland increases the gas tax?
January means the start of the legislative session for Maryland, and the General Assembly meets tomorrow for the first time. The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Funding is likely to recommend a major funding increase for transportation that includes a gas tax hike, but we’ve heard little about a strategic plan for where to put that money. The Commission… Keep reading…
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Georgetown makes a big shift towards transit
A while ago, I wrote about the car situation in Georgetown and argued that a small amount of residents were having an outsized impact on the supply of cars in the neighborhood. In writing this article, I relied on the census data from 2000. Now that the American Community Survey five-year estimates I can see whether the 200 stats are still holding up. As many readers know, ACS… Keep reading…
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DDOT reminding property owners to shovel sidewalks
As DC prepares for some snow tonight, DDOT and DPW are taking clear steps to remind property owners that they are legally required to shovel sidewalks. Keep reading…
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St. Elizabeths plan threatens South Capitol Trail
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Department of Homeland Security at St. Elizabeths is available for comment. It includes several improvements that should appeal to cyclists, but at least one alternative threatens the important, planned South Capitol Street trail. To accommodate the increase in jobs, the EIS primarily adds vehicular capacity by widening South… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: How’s my performance?
Arlington follows some performance parking; Maryland public schools tops in US; Pepco will now monitor own network; Metro puts theft warnings posters in stations; L’Enfant not so dangerous, Chinatown tops list; Talking transportation in Fairfax; Frederick gets money for trail extension; And…. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Planning the deets
Getting into the Purple Line details; Finalizing connections to Tysons stations; Fairfax may limit parking near Metro; Alexandria needs an add-on tax; Congress needs a dorm; Will political shooting raise security?; Listen to the riders; Jamieson knows what WMATA PR should say; “War on drivers” is nonsense; And…. Keep reading…