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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Is buying a new car greener than buying used?
About a year ago I was at a conference where the keynote speaker dispensed the conventional wisdom that buying a used car is more environmentally friendly than buying a new one, even something like a hybrid. Seems like a no-brainer, right? Manufacturing a new car requires enormous mining, manufacturing, transportation and other costs and energy inputs, while a used car… Keep reading…
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T-Mobile anti-innovation actions mirror transit data debate
This blog isn’t about consumer technology, but some recent news in the mobile carrier world has created grave worry and reflects the fight we had over opening up transit data to the public. It’s time for me to get a new smartphone. I’ve been a pretty happy T-Mobile customer for years, and was one of the first to buy the G1, the first Android phone. I was getting excited… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Wide shoulders
I-66 shoulders could become lanes; Connecticut Ave bad for pedestrians; GSA getting creative; From ballpark to snowball park; Planning for homeless in winter; VRE will leave you behind; DC behind in energy efficiency; Is IZ too complicated?. Keep reading…
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Lunch links: Food fights
The powerful vs. the food trucks; Eat more, drink less; Shaw/Bloomingdale will get a sit down restaurant; Why no bike sharing on the Mall?; Security might not always trump public access; Museum bubble takes shape; Preservation meets race in Alexandria; New New Carrollton; More car-free, less traffic. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Is the Park Service serving us?
They control the parks, but won’t tell you which; Rosslyn boathouse may happen; The savage Mall; Please help pedestrians at RI Ave; Will Mayor Gray kill Smart Growth?; Wireless streetcars from Japan; Pentagon Metro won’t be so bad; Using trees to slow traffic. Keep reading…
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What would “sanity” in parking look like?
Councilmember Jack Evans said on TBD NewsTalk today that he planned to propose a rollback of parking meter charges on weeknights and Saturdays, saying, “I’m going to introduce legislation at our next meeting that brings us all back to sanity.” TBD reports that Evans has identified a source of funding, but is keeping mum so Councilmembers don’t try… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Go free
Car Free Day is today; Metro ridership up; San Francisco transit chief to WMATA?; Thinking outside the big box; Bag tax seems successful; Parking karma; O’Malley unveils light rail spending; Rent control, landlords a challenge. Keep reading…
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Maps show racial divides in Greater Washington
Eric Fischer created amazing maps showing the racial and ethnic distribution of people in various American cities using data from the 2000 Census. I’ve added jurisdiction boundaries, freeways, and Metrorail lines to put the DC region’s map in context: In DC, the division between white and black neighborhoods seems to be fairly stark. Rock Creek Park appears… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Still in the works
Roll on-roll off trains still in the works; Pentagon Metro access won’t change much; More sad news for bikes & peds; MWCOG to discuss helicopter noise; More tips for Mayor Gray; Still planning Rosslyn boathouse; Gen Y passes on cars; Photographers are shady. Keep reading…
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Don’t give away the station, DC Council
The District recently announced a budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2011, estimated from $34 million up to $100 million. Meanwhile, as of this morning the DC Council’s agenda for tomorrow included consideration of a huge, permanent property tax break for Union Station which would cost $34 million over the next two decades. Update: The bill has been pulled for now. Bill… Keep reading…