We need homes. A lot of homes. Not just affordable, but also middle-income homes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MoCo passed the accessory dwelling regulation last year.

Yes. Great. Now, build the IL suite so that your parents can stay with you, or you can stay with your parents.

[Anonymous]

Why should we make it cheaper to live "here". What is "here"? There are plenty of great homes in the suburbs. Just don't go crazy and pay 100s of thousands more for some stupid flip in low col areas.

[Anonymous]

There are great homes across america. I am cool with grandfathering in existing residents and also essential workers (teachers, firefighters etc/ with rent to buy, loans, homestead act.. NOT with feeling compelled to build mini apartments to compete with Ballston rentals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are great homes across america. I am cool with grandfathering in existing residents and also essential workers (teachers, firefighters etc/ with rent to buy, loans, homestead act.. NOT with feeling compelled to build mini apartments to compete with Ballston rentals.

Are you a developer? If not, then nobody is asking you to build apartments, let alone compelling you to build apartments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You win elections in Montgomery County by winning 20,000 votes (out of a county of 1 million) in an At Large primary with 33 candidates, nearly all from Takoma Park and Silver precincts (same voters voting for same candidates) or about 6,000 votes in a district primary where having $$$ donors is a huge advantage.

Maybe people who live in other parts of the county should work harder at getting voters to vote.

In 2018, in the Democratic primary, of the at-large county council candidates, Hans Riemer got 54,584 votes, Will Jawando got 43,154 votes, Evan Glass got 35,600 votes, and Gabe Albornoz got 33,050 votes.

Or the county could align their elections with Presidential Election years, in order to maximize turnout to give everyone a voice. Any idea why they don't do that? Are they not interested in maximizing Democracy?

The Maryland constitution requires General Assembly elections to be held every 4 years, starting in 1958 (which was not a presidential year).

Similarly, the Maryland constitution requires gubernatorial elections to be held every 4 years, starting in 1974 (which was not a presidential year).

The Montgomery County charter says that the County Council and the County Executive serve four-year terms, and Montgomery County local elections have been held every four years since at least 1934 (which was not a presidential year). If you think that Montgomery County local elections should be held in presidential years, maybe you should look into whether a charter amendment would make that possible.

First off, you’re insane. Second, they are more than capable of making it possible but they won’t because it favors them. Citing history for Maryland is kind of a joke. Maryland has traditionally been a poorly governed state with a lot of corruption. That’s why the Governor had authority over the state budget for the past 100 years until just last year.

[Anonymous]

How about moving many government building out of DC, reducing the housing demand?
Move them to places like Kansas City, Columbus, Jacksonville, Denver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about moving many government building out of DC, reducing the housing demand?
Move them to places like Kansas City, Columbus, Jacksonville, Denver.

I agree with this. Need to decentralize more. Perhaps enact a federal law to cap the % of federal civil servants in DC metro area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about moving many government building out of DC, reducing the housing demand?
Move them to places like Kansas City, Columbus, Jacksonville, Denver.

I agree with this. Need to decentralize more. Perhaps enact a federal law to cap the % of federal civil servants in DC metro area.

At what? In 2017, 15% of federal employees were employed in the DC/MD/VA area (8% in DC). I.e., 85% of federal employees were in places like Kansas City, Columbus, Jacksonville, Denver.

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/data-analysis-documentation/federal-employment-reports/reports-publications/federal-civilian-employment/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You win elections in Montgomery County by winning 20,000 votes (out of a county of 1 million) in an At Large primary with 33 candidates, nearly all from Takoma Park and Silver precincts (same voters voting for same candidates) or about 6,000 votes in a district primary where having $$$ donors is a huge advantage.

Maybe people who live in other parts of the county should work harder at getting voters to vote.

In 2018, in the Democratic primary, of the at-large county council candidates, Hans Riemer got 54,584 votes, Will Jawando got 43,154 votes, Evan Glass got 35,600 votes, and Gabe Albornoz got 33,050 votes.

Or the county could align their elections with Presidential Election years, in order to maximize turnout to give everyone a voice. Any idea why they don't do that? Are they not interested in maximizing Democracy?

The Maryland constitution requires General Assembly elections to be held every 4 years, starting in 1958 (which was not a presidential year).

Similarly, the Maryland constitution requires gubernatorial elections to be held every 4 years, starting in 1974 (which was not a presidential year).

The Montgomery County charter says that the County Council and the County Executive serve four-year terms, and Montgomery County local elections have been held every four years since at least 1934 (which was not a presidential year). If you think that Montgomery County local elections should be held in presidential years, maybe you should look into whether a charter amendment would make that possible.

First off, you’re insane. Second, they are more than capable of making it possible but they won’t because it favors them. Citing history for Maryland is kind of a joke. Maryland has traditionally been a poorly governed state with a lot of corruption. That’s why the Governor had authority over the state budget for the past 100 years until just last year.

You asked why they don't do that. I provided an answer. In order for the gubernatorial and state legislature elections to occur in presidential-election years, the Maryland constitution needs to be amended. Contact your state legislators.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You win elections in Montgomery County by winning 20,000 votes (out of a county of 1 million) in an At Large primary with 33 candidates, nearly all from Takoma Park and Silver precincts (same voters voting for same candidates) or about 6,000 votes in a district primary where having $$$ donors is a huge advantage.

Maybe people who live in other parts of the county should work harder at getting voters to vote.

In 2018, in the Democratic primary, of the at-large county council candidates, Hans Riemer got 54,584 votes, Will Jawando got 43,154 votes, Evan Glass got 35,600 votes, and Gabe Albornoz got 33,050 votes.

Or the county could align their elections with Presidential Election years, in order to maximize turnout to give everyone a voice. Any idea why they don't do that? Are they not interested in maximizing Democracy?

The Maryland constitution requires General Assembly elections to be held every 4 years, starting in 1958 (which was not a presidential year).

Similarly, the Maryland constitution requires gubernatorial elections to be held every 4 years, starting in 1974 (which was not a presidential year).

The Montgomery County charter says that the County Council and the County Executive serve four-year terms, and Montgomery County local elections have been held every four years since at least 1934 (which was not a presidential year). If you think that Montgomery County local elections should be held in presidential years, maybe you should look into whether a charter amendment would make that possible.

First off, you’re insane. Second, they are more than capable of making it possible but they won’t because it favors them. Citing history for Maryland is kind of a joke. Maryland has traditionally been a poorly governed state with a lot of corruption. That’s why the Governor had authority over the state budget for the past 100 years until just last year.

You asked why they don't do that. I provided an answer. In order for the gubernatorial and state legislature elections to occur in presidential-election years, the Maryland constitution needs to be amended. Contact your state legislators.

It was a rhetorical question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about moving many government building out of DC, reducing the housing demand?
Move them to places like Kansas City, Columbus, Jacksonville, Denver.

I agree with this. Need to decentralize more. Perhaps enact a federal law to cap the % of federal civil servants in DC metro area.

At what? In 2017, 15% of federal employees were employed in the DC/MD/VA area (8% in DC). I.e., 85% of federal employees were in places like Kansas City, Columbus, Jacksonville, Denver.

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/data-analysis-documentation/federal-employment-reports/reports-publications/federal-civilian-employment/

Thanks for the link. Nice to know you can spend your days on random internet research. If the current number is 15% then I would propose to cap it at 10%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are great homes across america. I am cool with grandfathering in existing residents and also essential workers (teachers, firefighters etc/ with rent to buy, loans, homestead act.. NOT with feeling compelled to build mini apartments to compete with Ballston rentals.

Are you a developer? If not, then nobody is asking you to build apartments, let alone compelling you to build apartments.

My point is DC is running a $$ surplus, yes, really. There are MANY policies that don't involve building more housing (unless we are talking homeless shelters, which are fine!) that would protect existing DC residents from being priced out (like the homestead act, or more loans to buy houses) and allow the kinds of middle class residents who provide essential services to find footholds in the city. All this can be done without building little 1-2 bedroom.units all over ward 3. Those are just to lure young professionals from Ballston.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are great homes across america. I am cool with grandfathering in existing residents and also essential workers (teachers, firefighters etc/ with rent to buy, loans, homestead act.. NOT with feeling compelled to build mini apartments to compete with Ballston rentals.

Are you a developer? If not, then nobody is asking you to build apartments, let alone compelling you to build apartments.

My point is DC is running a $$ surplus, yes, really. There are MANY policies that don't involve building more housing (unless we are talking homeless shelters, which are fine!) that would protect existing DC residents from being priced out (like the homestead act, or more loans to buy houses) and allow the kinds of middle class residents who provide essential services to find footholds in the city. All this can be done without building little 1-2 bedroom.units all over ward 3. Those are just to lure young professionals from Ballston.

What would those many policies be? I'm genuinely curious here, no snark.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are great homes across america. I am cool with grandfathering in existing residents and also essential workers (teachers, firefighters etc/ with rent to buy, loans, homestead act.. NOT with feeling compelled to build mini apartments to compete with Ballston rentals.

Are you a developer? If not, then nobody is asking you to build apartments, let alone compelling you to build apartments.

My point is DC is running a $$ surplus, yes, really. There are MANY policies that don't involve building more housing (unless we are talking homeless shelters, which are fine!) that would protect existing DC residents from being priced out (like the homestead act, or more loans to buy houses) and allow the kinds of middle class residents who provide essential services to find footholds in the city. All this can be done without building little 1-2 bedroom.units all over ward 3. Those are just to lure young professionals from Ballston.

There are many policies that would increase the supply of housing without increasing the supply of housing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are great homes across america. I am cool with grandfathering in existing residents and also essential workers (teachers, firefighters etc/ with rent to buy, loans, homestead act.. NOT with feeling compelled to build mini apartments to compete with Ballston rentals.

Are you a developer? If not, then nobody is asking you to build apartments, let alone compelling you to build apartments.

My point is DC is running a $$ surplus, yes, really. There are MANY policies that don't involve building more housing (unless we are talking homeless shelters, which are fine!) that would protect existing DC residents from being priced out (like the homestead act, or more loans to buy houses) and allow the kinds of middle class residents who provide essential services to find footholds in the city. All this can be done without building little 1-2 bedroom.units all over ward 3. Those are just to lure young professionals from Ballston.

There are many policies that would increase the supply of housing without increasing the supply of housing?

NP. These talking points are tiresome. Any supply of housing units of any type is not a net positive good for the immediate or long-term in and of itself. It’s a question of the values you want to promote through your economic and development policy.