Miles Wilson

2 weeks ago | ggwash.org | Miles Wilson

The Montgomery County Council unanimously removed downtown Bethesda’s 30.4 million-square-foot development cap while adding incentives for building more moderately priced dwelling units. The council updated the 2017 Bethesda Downtown Plan, and new construction is projected to add $39 million in annual tax revenue for the county. The council also passed parts of the More Housing NOW package.

3 weeks ago | ggwash.org | Miles Wilson

The DC Council advanced a revised eviction reform bill to address $147 million in unpaid rent across the District, allowing accelerated evictions for nonpaying tenants while mandating more cooperation with the Emergency Rental Assistance Program by landlords. The bill is a permanent version of an emergency bill passed in October and will be voted on again in four weeks.

1 month ago | ggwash.org | Miles Wilson

Despite rising ridership, WMATA General Manager Randy Clarke proposed several cost-cutting measures to reduce the need for public subsidies during a DMVMoves Task Force meeting on Monday. Plans include delaying Yellow Line services to Greenbelt, reducing staff at low-ridership stations with multiple entrances at night and on weekends, improving bus efficiency, and modernizing technology and supply chains.

1 month ago | ggwash.org | Miles Wilson

The District faces two budget crises: one from congressional interference and another from revenue losses as a result of federal layoffs. Even as District leaders lobby the House to restore $1.1 billion in local funding for the current fiscal year, Mayor Bowser is expected to release the FY26 budget in two weeks that addresses a projected $1 billion revenue shortfall over the next few years.

1 month ago | ggwash.org | Miles Wilson

A Republican budget proposal treating the District as a federal agency and requiring it to maintain FY2024 funding levels passed the House on Tuesday and now heads to the Senate. District leaders, including the mayor and councilmembers, warn of immediate layoffs for teachers and first responders, as well as impacts on WMATA’s operations. The cuts wouldn’t save the federal government money, as most of the District’s funding comes from local taxes.