Officials Take Steps to Secure Metro Funding
Local elected officials are taking steps to help secure dedicated funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) as it faces a budget shortfall. Mayor Anthony A. Williams signed legislation in April that made the District of Columbia the first state-level jurisdiction to bring the region a step closer to qualifying for $1.5 billion in matching federal funds for its transit system. Congress is considering legislation to provide that amount over 10 years for capital improvements if the District, Maryland and Virginia all agree to dedicate a portion of their tax revenues to funding the system. To help rally legislative support, COG assisted members of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) at a press conference that highlighted the benefits Metro brings to county residents who regularly commute to other parts of the metropolitan area.  

Wise Water Use Promoted During Green DC Week
COG’s water conservation program teamed up with the District of Columbia Energy Office to celebrate Water Use it Wisely Day. The event, which was part of the Energy Office’s Green DC Week, provided students and local residents with an opportunity to learn about water conservation through exhibits, Anacostia boat tours, and other activities. COG coordinates the Washington region’s “Water Use it Wisely” program to raise public awareness on the importance of water conservation.

School Buildings Focus of Conservation Efforts
A symposium hosted at COG focused on the value of environmentally sound school facilities, both in the metropolitan Washington region and throughout the country. The highly popular event, “High Performance Schools: A Regional and International Perspective,” was attended by energy managers, planners, architects, building representatives, federal and local school administrators, and developers interested in learning about new green school designs and renovations. As a cosponsor of the event, COG assisted Montgomery County Public Schools, the Virginia Sustainable Building Network, and the Emerging Green Builders of the U.S. Green Building Council National Capital Region Chapter in a series of discussions with experts in the field of green building and school design.

One-Day Symposium Addresses Predatory Lending in Local Communities
Dozens of experts gathered at COG to discuss predatory lending practices and the affects they are having on communities in the metropolitan Washington region. Participants of the one-day symposium addressed strategies for preventing victimization of predatory lending, as well as federal, state and local mortgage laws and the effectiveness of regulations. The conference provided local elected and public officials with an understanding of the issue and resources available to help them fight fraud.

Area Latino Officials Discuss Immigration Demonstrations
During a press conference held at COG, area Latino elected officials urged U.S. Senators to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would include earned legalization for immigrant workers.  They also encouraged local immigrants to participate in after-school rallies, a candle-light vigil, and public service/community activities on International Workers' Day (May 1st ) rather than take part in a national boycott.