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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NextBus accuracy slips, “ghost buses” explained
WMATA released NextBus accuracy statistics last week, and frequent users will not be surprised to find out that accuracy is not where it could be. NextBus only has predictions for 78% of buses, far below the 92% accuracy target. The buses themselves are also not keeping to schedules particularly well, being “on time” only about 75% of the time even with a generous… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Ways of talking
Teen struck by bullet; Obnoxious GGW commenters make the Post; How to pay for streetcars; Fewer homes on the market: good?; Yglesias on cities; Meters everywhere but no money; And…. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Fighting transit, paying for roads
Streetcars on the TV; thecranks@dcwatch; Barnes Dance barn dance; Community, students won’t stop UMD anti-transit stance; Virginia can’t afford new freeways; Tysons “piecemeal” street grid?; And…. Keep reading…
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Commission forming to study WMATA governance
Yesterday, the Council of Governments voted to participate in a Greater Washington Board of Trade-organized “independent review” of WMATA governance. The Board of Trade, an association of businesses across the region, will nominate some “private sector” people for the panel, and COG will select some “public sector” folks. By participating in this process, COG will not only… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Opposition of the week
Wal getting green, not too green; Big growling over Big Bear; Down by the riverside; A less icy Crystal City; King coming to the shore; Do you like the 15th Street cycle track?; Open bike lanes. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Bikes, cars, hate and crime
Parking dispute turns into arrow shooting; Charges coming for Oxon Hill crash; Bike hate in the B’s; Private trolleys once again?; WMATA back in the hole; Ride On back on, parking fees off; Pro-transit on the purple route. Keep reading…
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Don’t permanently slow Metro for minor added safety
A driver slammed on his car’s brakes on the Capital Beltway yesterday after coming too close for comfort to another car in front. The maneuver successfully avoided a collision. In response, AAA called for all drivers to travel no faster than 40 mph indefinitely. Of course, this didn’t happen, because it’s silly. Drivers come a little too close for comfort… Keep reading…
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Sarles focusing on “basics” of safety, reliability, finances
WMATA General Manager Richard Sarles sat down with bloggers from Greater Greater Washington, Unsuck DC Metro, DCist, and We Love DC last night for an on-the-record chat about Metro’s challenges and his short-term 6-month plan to address them. Mr. Sarles presented his plan (PDF) to improve the system’s safety, reliability and financial stability over the next… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Colors and signs
Stand over there; Green means park; New signs for New York; Local AAA now says “share the road”; Yes! to Fairlawn; Since when is it about accountability?; Purple Line will run big in election; McDonnell backs tolls. Keep reading…
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Park Police overprotect on Earth Day
The National Park Police had a large, disruptive and unnecessary presence at the Earth Day rally held on Sunday, April 25. A couple of contributors who attended the rally felt the Park Police’s actions seemed at best silly or, at worst, oppressive. The rally was held on the National Mall between Madison and Jefferson Streets just a little bit east of the carousel. … Keep reading…