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: Not entirely effective
‘Effective’ DC teachers not effectively distributed; Metro escalator model problematic; Embassy wants parking to buy more cars; LA TV has windshield perspective too; Street crossers like lemmings?; ICC part 1 opening soon; NYC gets camera-enforced bus lanes; Suburban poor struggle in recession; And…. Keep reading…
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DC Dems should appoint a caretaker to Kwame Brown’s seat
In January, DC Council Chairman-elect Kwame Brown will vacate his current at-large seat, and the DC Democratic State Committee will appoint a temporary successor. This is a terrible provision of the law. The DCDSC should select someone who doesn’t plan to run permanently, and the Home Rule Act should be amended to remove this appointment power. The DC Home Rule Act calls… Keep reading…
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Let bicycles park inside New York Avenue Metro
WMATA should consider adding bicycle parking inside the New York Avenue/Florida Avenue/Gallaudet University Metro station to address the problems with theft and vandalism that plague many bike-Metro commuters, including myself just a few days ago. Two weeks ago Michael Perkins wrote about the need for more bicycle parking at the East Falls Church Metro station. The popularity… Keep reading…
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Weekend links: Questionable actions
PG County Executive and wife arrested; No more free Smithsonians?; Herndon Metro plan raises differing opinions; DC crime concentrated in pockets; M and New Jersey SE will start (Barnes) dancing; Montgomery moves closer to car sharing; Metro wants to hire vets; Driver charged in hit-and-run on S. Capitol; And…. Keep reading…
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Does DC really need a Deputy Mayor for Education?
A mayoral transition is a good time to think about budget-friendly changes to the org chart, and one constructive change might be to eliminate the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME). Why do we need a DME when we already have an Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)? The DME office (with its own chief of staff, 8 full time staff and a $1.3m budget after the… Keep reading…
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Would mortgage tax reform slow sprawl and gentrification?
The co-chairs of the deficit commission created by President Obama released several proposals this week as a starting point for a conversation about deficit reduction. One of the proposals drastically reduces the largest home ownership subsidy, the mortgage interest tax deduction. The proposal would lower the mortgage cap within which mortgage interest is deductible… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: With an eye to the future
Washington in 2040; Healthy Potomac needs more forests, less sprawl; Bipartisan proposal to raise gas tax; Bike sharing should be revenue neutral; Park Service limits public input; Transit riders save thousands; Behind the bag fee victory; Should we try strict liability?; And…. Keep reading…
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Gentrification east of the river, pt. 3: Role of the community
In Part 2 of this series we discussed what happens to the people without boats when the rising tide of economic development comes. Some commenters offered education and job training as the only solution. If people are educated or have training in a skill then they will have access to living wage jobs that will allow them to benefit from the economic tide. My group at… Keep reading…
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How do people cheat on transit fares?
The New York Subway recently announced a fare hike for their unlimited monthly pass, after debating whether to limit the pass to only 90 rides in a month. What’s behind this move? Are there really transit users that ride too much transit? Should Metro consider such a move? Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: All liquored up
Virtual liquor license moratorium; MoCo liquor stores to open Sundays; How not to set a good example; Jefferson High struggles with diversity; Clarendon Trader Joe’s nearing lease; Baltimore codifies bike rights; More escalator problems uncovered; And…. Keep reading…