News/Analysis Posts
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More people are dying because of impaired driving in the region, but there’s less enforcement
Most of the country has seen decreases in fatalities due to impaired driving, but not the Washington region, according to a report from the Council of Governments. Is a lack of enforcement part of the problem? Keep reading…
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What could the region do to ensure WMATA not only survives but thrives?
The District, Maryland, and Virginia look set to fill WMATA’s short-term budget gap. But the region needs a plan for ensuring the agency is financially sustainable in the long term. What are the options? Keep reading…
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Would Baltimore be better off with a regional transit authority?
Despite being Maryland’s largest locally operated transit system, the MTA hasn’t delivered a single new rail project since the 1990s. The system hasn’t expanded using more affordable modes like bus rapid transit, either. A grassroots activist coalition is proposing that a new transit authority could be more responsive to the region’s transit needs. Keep reading…
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How will WMATA avoid crisis and cover costs for the next couple years?
As Metro inches toward a fiscal cliff that would force it to cut services dramatically, we unpack where the major players stand on filling the short-term funding gap. Keep reading…
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What the FBI move to Greenbelt means for Prince George’s County and the region
The planned move of the FBI headquarters to Greenbelt opens up rare, important opportunities for equitable transit-oriented development. Keep reading…
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One-quarter of Virginia’s transit systems operate fare free. Here’s why.
A number of Virginia’s transit agencies made buses free during the pandemic, and a lot of them are now making the change permanent. For many, it’s not only about providing a public service: it makes financial sense for the agency itself. Keep reading…
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Curbside composting is working in DC. But don’t knot those bags!
Residents across DC’s eight wards are using a curbside composting service to manage their food waste impact. Take a peek behind the scenes. Keep reading…
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Cheaper housing production in Maryland? Parking reform bills take a swing
A series of bills in Montgomery County and Baltimore have aimed to reform parking minimum policies, in a bid to reduce the cost of building new housing. Keep reading…
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From university town to density town: Charlottesville passes huge zoning reform
In December 2023, the Charlottesville City Council unanimously passed sweeping pro-housing reforms that abolished mandatory parking minimums, modernized the permitting process, legalized duplexes citywide, and more. Keep reading…
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Death spiral or new dawn: How did WMATA get here?
WMATA faces a drastic budget gap, even though the DMV region has the money to support a world-class transit system. In part one of a series, GGWash looks at the causes of WMATA’s fiscal challenges. Parts two and three will consider potential solutions. Keep reading…