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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On the calendar: Happy hour tonight on H Street, plus Alexandria tour, open data, BRAC, Connecticut Ave
Tonight is the latest in our series of Greater Greater Washington happy hours. Join us at Biergarten Haus, 1355 H Street NE, starting at 6:30. There are happy hour drink specials until 7:00, but we’ll of course stay longer than that. You can get there by X1, X2, X3, X8, or B2 buses, bicycle, car, or if you have a time machine, go into the future, ride the streetcar, then come back… Keep reading…
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Why doesn’t Metro post the police phone number?
Periodic announcements on Metro buses urge riders to contact authorities if they see something suspicious, but how many people know the phone number for the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD)? This is a sign that was developed in 2007 at the urging of the Riders’ Advisory Council, says Dennis Jaffe in a letter from the Sierra Club yesterday. However, the sign was… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Map to the secret
Amtrak as a subway; The secret’s out; “Sweeperscam”? “Robo-snitch”?; Norton news; Use creativity, not ART; Still off the MARC; “Increasingly difficult” to keep up; And…. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Hot and bothered
Very bad day for vertical transport; Golfers irate at pro-bicycle management; You can’t air condition the outdoors; It was better before?; Bikes less limited on Capitol Limited; In Arlington, now; Tourist pedestrian child dies; Road projects on hold. Keep reading…
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Communication is everything on “Blue Line Realignment,” a.k.a. the “Yellow and Orange Line Service Increase”
Metro plans a relatively minor service change that will significantly increase overall system capacity. The way it’s framed will either help the change see widespread adoption or else derail the idea, cause enormous customer confusion, or force changes to the Metro map that cause other confusion. Metro has often called this the “Blue Line Split” or “Blue… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Go for safety
Safety fixes approved; Bus thief made a convincing driver; Hot and on the wrong track; East Falls Church accepted; Riemer only endorsed challenger; Parking czar?; ARTful improvements; Public street, no photography. Keep reading…
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Brunch links: Big new parking
It’s still complex; Manhattan’s own DC USA; Automated garages; Bus “driver” arrested; BRT not so rapid; Which Gov’s better for schools?; Making crossing worse for safety. Keep reading…
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3 questions with Md. delegate candidate Dana Beyer
Dana Beyer is a candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates, District 18, which includes Wheaton, Kensington, Chevy Chase, and Woodside (west Silver Spring). Dana lives in Chevy Chase and has spent much of her career as a medical doctor. She has also long served as a Senior Assistant to Montgomery County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At Large). On her website,… Keep reading…
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Talk open data with WMATA officials July 19
Officials formally presented their Transparent Metro Data Sets initiative to the WMATA Board yesterday, and will be presenting at a public meeting organized by the RAC on July 19. We’d reported on this effort a month ago, when it appeared on the Board agenda but was then deferred. On August 11, WMATA will release rail data including the paths of lines, real-time predictions… Keep reading…