Capital Commonsense

Capital Commonsense

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D.C.’s Electric Scooters Could Be Getting A Speed Boost. Is That A Good Idea?
Earlier this month the Washington Sun’s Martin Austermuhle reported that the District Department of Transportation is proposing to increase the maximum…
 • Tom Lee
The D.C. Housing Authority’s Rent Payment Standards Leave Taxpayers Vulnerable to Overpayment
DCHA citywide payment standards reach 187% of HUD’s Fair Market Rent
 • Ashley Schapitl
Lessons from the Delta Pearl Disaster
Our Next Mayor, Janeese Lewis George, Has a Unique Opportunity to Fix Our Broken Housing Ecosystem
 • Ashley Schapitl
How Does the District’s Federal Funding Compare to the 50 States?
In my previous post, I explained how the federal government contributes to funding DC’s local government.
 • Stan Veuger
DC Students Post a Fourth Straight Year of Gains on the 2026 State Assessments
Guest Post from Josh Boots, founder of EmpowerK12
 • Josh Boots

August 2026

What D.C. Owes the Businesses It Keeps Failing
A new establishment in the District faces the worst first-year survival odds in the country.
 • Rini Sampath
Who’s Who is D.C. School Governance
The Third Piece in Our “Back to School” Series
 • Sara Mead
How Does the District Use Federal Funding?
A few weeks ago, Ashley explained how the District collects its own-source revenue—its revenue from taxes, fees, and fines.
 • Stan Veuger
How D.C. Became the Nation’s Leader on PreK Enrollment
Our "Back to School" Series Continues!
 • Sara Mead
How D.C.’s Next Mayor Can Break the Corruption Culture
Appointments matter, but lasting reform requires stronger oversight, procurement, enforcement, and transparency.
 • Rini Sampath
What’s the Difference between DCPS and Charter Schools?
Capital Commonsense Kicks Off Our "Back to School" Series
 • Sara Mead
D.C. Has a Traffic Violence Problem
The city identifies its most dangerous drivers better than ever, and does almost nothing to stop them
 • Chris Kennedy
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