Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) is an independent, nonprofit association where area leaders address regional issues affecting the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia. Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments comprises 24 local governments in the Washington metropolitan area, as well as area members of the Maryland and Virginia state legislatures, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives. About 300 local, state and federal elected officials make up its membership. It was founded in 1957[6][7] and formally incorporated on May 28, 1965.[8]

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
Formation1957 (1957)
TypeCouncil of Governments
52-6060391[1]
Legal status501(c)(3) nonprofit organization[2]
PurposeTo create a more accessible, sustainable, prosperous, and livable National Capital Region.[3]
Headquarters777 N. Capitol Street NE,
Washington, D.C.
Chuck Bean[4]
Derrick L. Davis[5]
SubsidiariesCenter for Public Administration & Services Inc[1]
Revenue (2017)
$53,951,042[1]
Expenses (2017)$54,478,507[1]
Employees (2016)
142[1]
Volunteers (2016)
36[1]
Websitewww.mwcog.org

Vision, mission, and functions

"Region Forward" is Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments vision.[9] It is a commitment by Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and its member governments, who together seek to create a more accessible, sustainable, prosperous, and livable metropolitan Washington."[10]

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' mission is to make Region Forward happen by being a discussion forum, expert resource, issue advocate, and catalyst for action.[10]

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments works on issues of regional significance, including transportation, the environment, land use planning and housing, and public safety and health. Policies are set through the Board of Directors, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), and the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee.[11] These bodies are the organization's three main boards and they are responsible for a broad range of issues under Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' umbrella.

Other key boards and policy committees at Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments include the Region Forward Coalition; the Climate, Energy, and Environment Policy Committee; the Chesapeake Bay and Water Resources Policy Committee; and the Human Services and Public Safety Policy Committee. Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' top priority is advancing the "Region Forward" vision through the work of its board of directors, policy boards, committees, and the following programs.[10]

Transportation

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has provided leadership in supporting the development of key transportation facilities in the region, in particular the Washington Metro subway system and Washington Dulles International Airport.[7]

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' transportation planning program promotes a well-managed and maintained regional system with a broad range of transportation choices.

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments supports National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for the metropolitan Washington area. National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board is responsible for ensuring state and federal approval of funding for transportation projects. National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board became associated with Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments in 1966.[12] National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board's data informs officials on subjects like regional travel patterns and highway and transit performance. Recent projects include identifying regional transportation priorities and funding strategies, improving access for people with disabilities, and better coordinating transportation and land use decisions.

Environment

Clean water, clean air, clean land, and a smaller carbon footprint are priorities of Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' environmental programs. Through the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee, which is the entity certified by the mayor of Washington, D.C. and the governors of Maryland and Virginia to prepare an air-quality plan for the Washington Metropolitan Area under Section 174 of the federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990,[13] officials prepare clean air plans.[14] These plans have led to steady improvement in regional air quality.

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments supports ongoing efforts to revitalize the Chesapeake Bay, the Anacostia River, and other local waterways as well as wastewater and storm-water planning, and water-supply protection.[15]

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments guides the regional effort to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by promoting alternative energy sources, energy conservation, and green building[16] and fleet policies.

Planning and housing

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Community Planning and Services program promotes a strong economy, sustainable growth, and housing options for all residents. Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments offers strategies for more development in the region's mixed-use activity centers and provides the region with population, employment, and housing forecasts, and data on area industries and labor, affordable housing, and homelessness.

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments regularly measures progress towards the goals of "Region Forward", a long-term sustainability-planning process initiated in 2008.[17][18]

Public Safety & Health

Safe and healthy communities are the focus of Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' public safety and health program. Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments brings together area officials, emergency planners, and first responders to improve homeland security and emergency preparedness.

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments provides regional crime reports and convenes conferences on topics such as preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, gangs, and childhood obesity.

Member Jurisdictions
Member Location Population
Washington District of Columbia 632,323
Bladensburg, Town of Maryland 9,233
Bowie, City of Maryland 55,232
Charles County Maryland 146,551
College Park, City of Maryland 30,587
Frederick, City of Maryland 66,169
Frederick County Maryland 233,385
Gaithersburg, City of Maryland 61,045
Greenbelt, City of Maryland 23,281
Hyattsville, City of Maryland 18,420
Laurel, City of Maryland 25,853
Montgomery County Maryland 971,777
Prince George's County Maryland 871,233
Rockville, City of Maryland 62,334
Takoma Park, City of Maryland 17,021
Alexandria, City of Virginia 144,301
Arlington County Virginia 216,004
Fairfax, City of Virginia 22,565
Fairfax County Virginia 1,100,692
Loudoun County Virginia 312,311
Falls Church, City of Virginia 12,751
Manassas, City of Virginia 37,821
Manassas Park, City of Virginia 14,273
Prince William County Virginia 402,002

Chairpersons
Council of Governments Board of Directors Chairmen
Year(s) Chairman Jurisdiction
1957–61 Robert F. McLaughlin District of Columbia
1962 Charles R. Fenwick Virginia General Assembly (Arlington County)
1962 Brig. Gen. F. J. Clarke District of Columbia
1963 Anne A. Wilkins Fairfax County
1964 Roye L. Lowry Arlington County
1965 Brig. Gen. C. M. Duke District of Columbia
1966–67 Achilles M. Tuchtan Rockville
1968 Frederick A. Babson Fairfax County
1969 Francis B. Francois Prince George's County
1970 Joseph L. Fisher Arlington County
1971 Gilbert Hahn, Jr. District of Columbia
1972–73 Martha V. Pennino Fairfax County
1974–75 Sterling Tucker District of Columbia
1976 Francis B. Francois Prince George's County
1977 Harold L. Miller Falls Church
1978–79 Arrington L. Dixon District of Columbia
1980–81 Elizabeth L. Scull Montgomery County
1981–83 Carl F. Hendrickson Loudoun County
1984–85 H. R. Crawford District of Columbia
1986–87 Gil Weidenfeld Greenbelt
1988–89 Ellen M. Bozman Arlington County
1990 Betty Ann Kane District of Columbia
1991 James E. Nathanson District of Columbia
1992–93 Hilda Pemberton Prince George's County
1994 Patricia S. Ticer Alexandria
1995 Jack Evans District of Columbia
1996 William E. Hanna, Jr. Montgomery County
1997 Robert B. Dix, Jr. Fairfax County
1998 Charlene Drew Jarvis District of Columbia
1999 M.H. Jim Estepp Prince George's County
2000 Gerald E. Connolly Fairfax County
2001 Carol Schwartz District of Columbia
2002 Bruce R. Williams Takoma Park
2003 Mary K. Hill Prince William County
2005 Judith F. Davis Greenbelt
2006 Jay Fisette Arlington County
2007 Vincent C. Gray District of Columbia
2008 Michael Knapp Montgomery County
2009 Penny Gross Fairfax County
2010 Kwame Brown District of Columbia
2011 Andrea Harrison Prince George's County
2012 Frank Principi Prince William County
2013 Karen Young City of Frederick
2014 Phil Mendelson District of Columbia
2015 William Euille City of Alexandria
2016 Roger Berliner Montgomery County
2017 Kenyan McDuffie District of Columbia
2018 Matt Letourneau[19] Loudoun County
2019 Robert White District of Columbia

References
  1. "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Guidstar. June 30, 2017.
  2. "Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments". Exempt Organization Select Check. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  3. "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Guidestar. June 30, 2015.
  4. "Chuck Bean". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  5. "COG Board of Directors". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  6. "Washington Council in Sixth Year". The Washington Post. September 16, 1962. p. B7.
  7. "A Regional Partnership" (editorial). Washington Post. November 14, 2007.
  8. "Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments". District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. Government of the District of Columbia. Retrieved on January 3, 2017.
  9. "Region Forward". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
  10. . Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
  11. "About COG". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
  12. "The Transportation Planning Board". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
  13. ""Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee - Description". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments . Accessed July 31, 2011.
  14. Hyslop, Margie (March 21, 2007). "Air-quality plan drafted by Council of Governments". The Gazette. Gaithersburg, Maryland.
  15. Shiau, Ellen (February 27, 2002). "Area officials, residents watchful of water shortages". The Gazette.
  16. Fahrenthold, David A. (2007-12-13). "Governments Are Urged to Build Greener". Washington Post.
  17. Lewis, Roger K. (2010-08-14). "Shaping the City: Overcoming the obstacles to regional cooperation". Washington Post.
  18. "About Region Forward". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments . Accessed February 17, 2013.
  19. "Board of Directors". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018.
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