Would making DC public transit free have multiple benefits?

TRANSIT | Opinion: Evidence of discrimination in enforcement catalyzed the DC Council recently to decriminalize transit fare evasion. But, should DC take it a step further and consider making public transportation free? Advocates say such a measure would boost usage, alleviate fare enforcement discrimination, and be another step toward Universal Basic Mobility. (CityLab, 2/6)

Civil rights tensions over fare collection alone probably aren’t enough to spur a costless public transportation movement, but they could be a catalyst. Removing fares could [also] trigger ridership gains … creating a virtuous cycle where better service attracts more riders. Ending transit fare collection could bring other benefits as well … [including] removing a major impediment to universal basic mobility (UBM), which grants every citizen a right to travel to a job, school, or wherever else they need to go. Given the concentration of low-income residents on public transportation, providing costless rides would be a major step toward UBM.

RACIAL EQUITY
– The Consumer Health Foundation has reintroduced the WeARE initiative, designed to change the popular narrative that undergirds racial inequities in the Greater DC region. (Video)

– Opinion: Take down the Confederate statues now (WaPo, 2/7)

EDUCATION
– The Montgomery County Council president Nancy Navarro has asked school officials to rename a Silver Spring Middle School comprised primarily of students of color. The school is currently named after Colonel E. Brooke Lee, a man known to have a disturbing racist history. (WaPo, 2/7)

– DC residents call for a new chancellor to build trust and stability in schools (WaPo, 2/6)

ENVIRONMENT | Despite Few Details And Much Doubt, The Green New Deal Generates Enthusiasm (NPR, 2/8)

SHUTDOWN | Rocky restart after government shutdown: Many workers still haven’t received back pay (WaPo, 2/7)

ART/RACE | An exhibit at the Maria & Alberto de la Cruz Art Gallery at Georgetown University, “To be a Negro in this country is really never to be looked at,” which takes its title from a James Baldwin essay, explores the timely question of who the National Mall is for. (CP, 2/7)

PHILANTHROPY | Shutdown, Philanthropy, and the Frail Economics of Working Families (NPQ, 2/5)

Social Sector Job Openings 

USPSC Senior Contracts and Grants Specialist | USAID’s Office of Food for Peace – New!
Grant Writer | Framingham State University – New!
Operations Manager | Diverse City Fund – New!
Development Communications Manager | PeerForward – New!
Controller | Meyer Foundation
Communications and Development Specialist | Grantmakers In Health
CSR Internship | Gannett Inc., USAToday /Gannett Foundation
Vice President for Donor Relations | Community Foundation of Howard County
Senior Communications Officer | Gill Foundation
Individual Giving Manager | National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
Development Manager | American Society of Landscape Architects
President​ | ​Virginia United Methodist Foundation
Chief Financial & Administrative Officer​ | ​Horizon Foundation
Foundation and Government Relations Officer​ | ​Shakespeare Theatre Company
Grants & Communications Officer​ | ​The Crimsonbridge Foundation
Executive Director​ | ​VHC Medical Brigade
Director of Development​ | ​DC Bar Foundation
Senior Supervising Attorney, Criminal Justice Reform​ | ​Southern Poverty Law Center
Director of Development​ | ​The Barker Adoption Foundation
Executive Assistant​ | ​Jack and Jill of America Foundation
Executive Director | The Volgenau Foundation
Program Associate for Strategy, Equity, and Research | Eugene & Agnes E. Meyer Foundation

Hiring? Post your job on WRAG’s job board and get it included in the Daily! Free for members; $60/60 days for non-members. Details here.

Community Calendar

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“We lost two great Americans today – Frank Robinson and John Dingell – citizens who inspired me and so many others by leading on the civil rights issues of our time, opening doors to others, and leaving it all on the field.” – President Obama

Next week we’ll publish the (Almost) Daily WRAG on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

– Buffy